Upper Braces

An upper brace, usually called a strut brace or strut bar, ties the tops of the two suspension towers together. Under hard cornering the towers can move slightly in relation to each other, and the brace links them so the top mounts stay where the suspension geometry expects them.

Braces are listed for the front or rear of a specific model and described by their number of mounting points:

• a two-point bar runs straight between the towers;
• three-point versions add a mount to the bulkhead or to the wing (often called fender brackets);
• four-point H-braces tie in further points on each side.

For some cars there are rear upper bars, and room bars that cross the cabin behind the front seats.

Check the space under the bonnet before choosing. A front brace passes over the engine, so listings are specific to the model and often the engine. On some cars the bar sits close to the intake, engine cover or bonnet, or means moving the battery or airbox, and room bars take space from the rear seats.

Fitting is usually a bolt-on job using the existing top-mount studs. Torque the top-mount nuts to the car maker’s figure, and do not use the brace as a lifting or pushing point. If you are stiffening the car further, an upper brace pairs naturally with lower and mid braces underneath, and a rear brace complements a front one.