Installing Strut Brace

[Clay-VY]

hey world need some help, I've purchased gen holden strut brace for my VY series 1 Calais, I need to know how to drop the front suspension in order to install the mounting bolts from underneath the strut tower, do I need to use coil spring clamps or is the strut contained, ie if I jack the car and undo the the nut holding the the strut will the whole strut drop or explode. I've already drilled the holes and tapped a thread to hold the bolt in the top of the housing and have the brace installed but I think I need to actually bolt it from the bottom. can any of you shine some light, I know that series II onwards already have the bolts installed - good on you GMH ..Clay

[Leno]

I installed one on my VY Series 1 Berlina. Was pretty easy. Just put car on stands, took off the wheels, unbolted nut at top of the strut, and was able to pull the strut down and out the way low enough to put bolts up through from under wheel arch, then put nyloc nuts on the top. You wont need spring compressors etc. I had stainless bolts/washers and nuts, so I recon it looks good.

[Clay-VY]

That's exactly what I wanted to know. guess what I'll be doing this weekend.... Clay

[Raptorsc]

Interesting, good thing the VY series 2 come with bolts already to go for strut brace

[Clay-VY]

Guys and Girls, the effort in fitting one I think was worth while, corners beautifully, very direct. Clay

[daron]

good to hear clay
i want one of these mah poor old vt geting twisted now

[Raptorsc]

Clay

Thanks for feedback, got to be quite a difference if you can easily notice it

[chris.dobinson]

wat was the price of the strut bar

[Clay-VY]

Chris, The strut bar I purchased off ebay (genuine holden part still in box) at $52.00

[CNULTR]

Hi guys i have purchased the strut bar aswell how ever would i need a wheel alignment after i bolt it in?

[Clay-VY]

I haven't had one done, I wouldn't think it would change the alignment.

[colk]

Just a quick question, is the VY strut brace different to the VZ (different Susp)
My VZ already had bolts that the brace sits over without actually lowering the strut out, the brace bolts directly to the chasis (not the strut)
Im not sure how a brace that just bolts to the chasis could make a huge differnece but it would be nice if it sat over the strut top like the VY. Al least it looks nice lol

[CNULTR]

I haven't had one done, I wouldn't think it would change the alignment.

Thanks Clay-VY much appreciated.

[Clay-VY]

colk, The VY and VZ are the same setup except Holden has already identified that now the actual strut towers (although reinforced) are not part of the actual chassis there would be flexing when cornering from weight distribution etc, so they started fitting the brace (ie your VX will have the bolts in place) apparently from what I've read the HSV and SS etc come standard fitted. Clay