definitive test, strut brace v Z4m

toplad said:
Yeah it's pretty easy, I managed to do mine with a pair of mole grips.

If you've got the socket set, it will take you no more than an hour, probably about 30 mins.
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I highly recommend getting the proper hex bits and a torque wrench for this. Under torquing the nuts will allow the struts to move and change your camber settings. Over torquing can be just as bad for other reasons.
 
I'm waiting to install mine for that very reason--don't go cheap on the install, it can cost you in the end. I have metric socket wrenches, now just need a low range torque wrench (on my shopping list).
 
Seems a mod worth considering, didnt think there was need for one on the Z4, though have noticed a small amount of tramlining when driving the Z.
The strut brace worked wonders on my Z3, eliminated tramlining and tightened up the front end.
 
Shipkiller said:
From my experience, a strut brace will not cure your tramlining. Only removing the dreaded RFT's will help in this regard.
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:thumbsup: Or change manufacturers. Of course, my 325Ci tramlined on certain roads and it was on 17" nonstaggered "regular" tires.

I also drive a coupe so don't think this brace will be more than cosmetic for daily driving. I just like the look.
 
Thanks for the feedback, would be more satisfying fitting it myself, but sounds like there is some risk involved, so I might reconsider. Just need to put faith in my local BMW dealer now... hmmmmm. :|
 
I have been experimenting with running mine with and without a strut bar and echo shipkillers comment. I can tell you for certain that it does not in any way assist in reducing tramlining (not that I expected it to) Changing the RFT's out has made a massive improvement in that direction.

Frankly the strut bar is a nice cosmetic accessory for the majority of users and perhaps if you've spent a shed load on tightening up the suspension, dialed in exactly the setting you want then perhaps it will be of benefit in locking them in.

Fitting with a mole grip - OMG I'd not sleep at night worrying about the gnarled up mess of the fixings and random torque settings of everything :thumbsdown: Give a local garage a £10 and they'll fit it
 
I agree it's not the best way to fit, but the blots are as tight as when the car came out of the factory. There's no way the alignment is going any where, due to the fixing pin on top of turret, sometimes it’s possible to be too anal, its only 6 blots, not a head gasket :roll:
 
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