Z4 REAR STRUT BAR

K

KNEEWEE

New member
I have a 2005 Z4 2.5I, I've only found info about upper strut bar that goes in the engine bay, does any one know if there is a lower strut bar that goes in the trunk. My old car was able to put one in.

Thanks.
 
there is no such thing as lower strut bar... you might be looking for a SWAY BAR that goes on the bottom of the suspension but you don't want a rear one, u want a front sway bar for added cornering ability
 
BlackSapphireZ said:
there is no such thing as lower strut bar... you might be looking for a SWAY BAR that goes on the bottom of the suspension but you don't want a rear one, u want a front sway bar for added cornering ability
Click to expand...

Sure there is such thing as rear strut (or shock?) tower brace. I've seen people fit them on the E46.
 
GP20 said:
BlackSapphireZ said:
there is no such thing as lower strut bar... you might be looking for a SWAY BAR that goes on the bottom of the suspension but you don't want a rear one, u want a front sway bar for added cornering ability
Click to expand...

Sure there is such thing as rear strut (or shock?) tower brace. I've seen people fit them on the E46.
Click to expand...
:chairfight: :slappy: :ROFL2:
 
2dogs said:
GP20 said:
BlackSapphireZ said:
there is no such thing as lower strut bar... you might be looking for a SWAY BAR that goes on the bottom of the suspension but you don't want a rear one, u want a front sway bar for added cornering ability
Click to expand...

Sure there is such thing as rear strut (or shock?) tower brace. I've seen people fit them on the E46.
Click to expand...
:chairfight: :slappy: :ROFL2:
Click to expand...

And you find it funny because?
 
I don't think any of the mainstream aftermarket suppliers have produced a rear strut brace for the Z yet. I've been thinking of fabricating my own mainly as a point to mount harnesses. If you mean anti roll bars or sway bars then H&R make very good front and rear sets with multiple adjustments but I wouldn't get involved with those until you've sorted the more important suspension items out first.
 
Given the construction of the rear part of the Z4 with the bulkhead, roll hoop mounting, etc. and their proximity to the upper shock mounts, I doubt you would gain any more rigidity by adding a brace.
 
but you might want to buy a higher strength shock mount. As for what Kurt said, is the metal that the shocks mount to as strong as the rest, or is there flex in that area?
 
The upper shock mounts are marked with red arrows to show the proximity to the bulkhead and cross brace.
Being shocks and not struts, there is no lateral force applied to the mounts only vertical due to suspension movement. Lateral loads are handled by the rear lower control arms (wishbones) and upper links which are attached to the rear subframe and body with large rubber bushings to insulate against road noise and vibration.
You can definitely see where the front brace can make a difference by adding rigidity and reducing flex.
As for the rear, you're only sacrificing trunk space (what little there is).
Hope this helps explain a bit better.

Z4_body_1.JPG
 
Kurts05Z4 said:
The upper shock mounts are marked with red arrows to show the proximity to the bulkhead and cross brace.
Being shocks and not struts, there is no lateral force applied to the mounts only vertical due to suspension movement. Lateral loads are handled by the rear lower control arms (wishbones) and upper links which are attached to the rear subframe and body with large rubber bushings to insulate against road noise and vibration.
You can definitely see where the front brace can make a difference by adding rigidity and reducing flex.
As for the rear, you're only sacrificing trunk space (what little there is).
Hope this helps explain
Click to expand...

Excellent explanation and diagram. Thank you. :thumbsup:

Greg
 
http://www.wiechers-sport.de/streben/hinten.html
^- There, if you still want one. Also find it useless though...
 
Kurts05Z4 said:
As for the rear, you're only sacrificing trunk space (what little there is).
Click to expand...
Have a look in a Nissan 350Z trunk to see what a strut bar can do to available load space!! That's one of the reasons I didn't buy one! :o
 
Breaker said:
Kurts05Z4 said:
As for the rear, you're only sacrificing trunk space (what little there is).
Click to expand...
Have a look in a Nissan 350Z trunk to see what a strut bar can do to available load space!! That's one of the reasons I didn't buy one! :o
Click to expand...

+1 we were considering one 'til I took a look back there in the boot - no chance of getting a suitcase in. My in-laws have one and they have to pack in plastic bags when they go away for a weekend :o
 
I know that this is a really old topic.. but
there are lower bars, and they're not the same as anti roll bars - the mounting points are different

here you go - http://www.ultraracing.com.my/Catalog.asp?Brand=BMW&Model=E85%20Z4%20%202.5%20%282002%29&page=1

ultraracing doeas manufacture quite good body reinforcements - at least guys that drive japanese sports cars say so..
 
KNEEWEE said:
I have a 2005 Z4 2.5I, I've only found info about upper strut bar that goes in the engine bay, does any one know if there is a lower strut bar that goes in the trunk. My old car was able to put one in.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

KNEEWEE - Welcome to the Forum, trying to snak in without an entry in the Newbies Section.... :thumbsup: :poke:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom