Are strut brace 's effective?

I'm toying with the idea of fitting an front upper strut brace to my Sportline.

Can I expect any improvements at all to the handling?

I know how they fit and how they are supposed to work, but I have never had any experience of using them or know anyone that has used one.

Can people on here give me some of their experience when using a brace.

Thanks

Andy

Front lower strut brace was fitted as standard to the last of the Scirroco models [shared same chassis]. You may notice the difference fitting the lower front on a convertible . Upper ?

 

Hi I would suggest you invest in a upper and lower brace.  I have had lots of experience with them on all but my present car (only because they don't make one).

If your car isn't too shabby, i.e. the bushes aren't all gone on the fronts arms and ARB i would think you will notice an improvement. It gives you a more direct feel to your turn into a corner, so when you point the steering wheel the lag effect (the moment before it responds) is reduced.  On some cars it can make you want a rear brace to then prevent the lag translating into near rear end over steer, whereby the rear takes too long to follow the front, due to flex.

In a Cabby you will have flex blah, blah, blah and a huge rear brace so the rear issue won't come into play, but it is definately worth fitting front ones, and even the lower being the most crucial IMO.

I think it's dependant on how you drive and what you have in the way of tyres and suspension. If you're aggresive and run stiff suspension, then your chassis will suffer without them. The lower brace is a no brainer. A good clout on a curb could move the forward arm mount.

Thanks for the replies so far, a bit divided so far.

Now bushes have been mentioned, how do they affect the handling?

I keep seeing poly bushes mentioned. Are they the best type to get? Or are standard bushes good enough?

I once test drove a gti with poly bushes around a car park. I could feel every tiny bump in the road, didn't get chance to try on open road though.

Is that what it is meant to feel like?

If I do decide to change the bushes at the front, how many are there and how easy are they to change?

cheers

front bushes on the suspension are 2 on the wish bone either side a front and a rear. steering rack bushes wil also help.

if your doing the bushes then also consider the ball joints (1 either side) and track rod ends.

stock bushes are good but dont last as long as poly bushes.

if your planning of fitting the lower brace it's advisable to change the bushes while your there anyway as it involves removing the bolt from one. so might as well go the hole hog while your down there.

whoops missed something.
if your going to the top strut brace first make sure your top mounts are in decent condition too.