Look who's "torque"ing

K

Kaiser17

Member
So curiosity got the better of me and I ordered an OEM strut brace for my Z4 Coupe from everybody's favourite Parts Guy. I'm not sure how much of an improvement there will be in the Coupe seeing as it is pretty stiff already, but had to find out for myself....and was looking for a cheap(ish) mod.

If i had done my research I would've found out that it fits over the oil filler cap on the Si...which is a nuissance...but going to fit it anyway as can't be bothered to send it back.

My question is - how important is it to fit the brace using the correct torque? I don't have a torque wrench and am considering fitting with (and leaving in the car) a standard socket wrench...for...eeerr...emergency oil changes.
 
Just buy a torque wrench surely? They're only about £50 and a really useful tool to have anyway... budget it as part of the cost for this Mod :p
 
i have a strut brace and to be honest i dont think it matters too much, not to tight and not too loose is what i say.


i have had mine on for about 5-6 months IIRC and nothing has fallen off.

your problem of the filler, im sure some people on here have fitted it the other way round? anybody
 
Kaiser17, I'd be tempted to buy one. Putting my strut brace on the other week my torque wrench failed (not used for 4 years) - I snapped the bolt off. :oops: I then had to buy a new plate (the 3 bolts are part of a plate that sits underneath) and get that fitted, which was a shock / spring removal job, £64 IIRC. Point being, I didn't think I was using that much force when it snapped and would probably have done the same with a standard socket set - I obviously don't have a gentle touch. IMO, worth the investment - and if you don't use it for a long time, make sure you test it thoroughly :headbang:

With this being a big DIY weekend you may find a lot of the DIY / hardware stores have some good blanket discounts and you may save yourself a few pounds on a decent one.
 
The torque is probably not that important and as Rudd say's not too tight and not too loose. Easier felt using a standard ratchet or ring spanner. Use something with a long handle to strip and shear. :thumbsdown:

That said most people don't seem to have any 'feel' for such things, so get a torque wrench and use it on everything including your road wheels.
 
cj10jeeper said:
The torque is probably not that important and as Rudd say's not too tight and not too loose. Easier felt using a standard ratchet or ring spanner. Use something with a long handle to strip and shear. :thumbsdown:

That said most people don't seem to have any 'feel' for such things, so get a torque wrench and use it on everything including your road wheels.
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What he said, use a standard ratchet to break torque will give you a decent idea of how tight it should be, you could also put a little force on one of the installed bolts to see how tight it is.....ALTHOUGH that really IS NOT recommended as if it's already over torqued you could snap it like Pawnsacrifice.
 
I have ordered one of these: http://www.strutbrace.co.uk/bmw/z4.htm

£160 + £10 Delivery :)

Other options available, but a little more expensive than I fancied.

Just going to tighten with spanner, until firmish :) Job done :)
 
I got my Torque Wrench from Amazon. It's decent quality (Draper) and was just £22.99 Delivered. RRP was £48.99.
 
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