S2000 Front and Rear Strut Braces

**Chi** · 08-07-2008 02:24 PM

http://www.team-integra.net/sections...?ArticleID=525

DOUBLE WISHBONE

All right, now onto the Double Wishbone suspension type. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to explain all of the parts of this type of suspension and how it works, so I'm just going to do a quick overview so you understand basically what is going on. With this type of suspension, the upright supporting the wheel is attached to the frame of the car with a pair of links in the shape of a wishbone. These links are connected to the frame by bearings called suspension pivots (which are either metal or rubber, or now-a-days polyurethane). These links (arms) are not always parallel, and are usually of unequal lengths. The Double Wishbone suspension is a type of Double A-arm suspension. Double A-arm suspension systems have been around for about 50 years now. Early versions had equal length arms, but this caused the wheels of the car to lean outboard in turns (increased positive camber). When unequal length arms were developed the positive camber change problem was solved, and in fact was changed to a huge advantage because it made the wheels develop increased negative camber during vertical suspension movement. Double Wishbone suspension also use the "coil-over-oil" design, much like the MacPherson Strut, which often leads to people calling the shock absorbers on their cars "struts" even when their cars don't use a strut type suspension.

I've included pictures of each suspension type to try and make what I'm saying a little clearer. Especially with the Double Wishbone suspension, the pics can probably give you a better idea of how the suspension works than I can with words. Of course, the best way to figure it all out is to get under a car with a Double Wishbone suspension type and look at it to try and figure out how everything works. Don't feel bad if it doesn't make sense though, there are plenty of mechanics out there that don't understand how a Double Wishbone suspension works, it's a very complicated system. Today, engineers use computers to help them design the systems because there are too many variables to deal with to do it by hand without taking an extremely long time.

**AusS2000** · 08-07-2008 02:29 PM

An S2000 has double wishbone suspension. A wishbone at the top and bottom attached to the chassis in two places each and to the hub in one place each. These lock the geometry of the suspension.

A car with struts uses the strut to lock the geometry of the top part of the suspension. And as the strut towers are usually sheet metal they can flex under force. Hence a strut brace.

BTW the point where the coilovers attach to the body of an S2000 is referred to as the shock tower.

**EKVTIR-T** · 08-07-2008 02:32 PM

Are you saying the shock tower where the suspension bolts to takes no load at all?

**vyets** · 08-07-2008 02:33 PM

Thank you Chi.

Here's a thread which a guy drew up a diagram for you all to understand. I could not quote it because the thread is now locked, and I'm not going to copy and paste and pretend I wrote it.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php...c=489142&st=75

Basically put it this way... If the strut bars work on the s2000 like they work on other cars, why would there be arguments of how they don't work. And it's not like its a one off thing its been questioned for ages. If it defiantly works people would be questioning it.

**G-Stick** · 08-07-2008 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by vyets

Thank you Chi.

Here's a thread which a guy drew up a diagram for you all to understand. I could not quote it because the thread is now locked, and I'm not going to copy and paste and pretend I wrote it.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php...c=489142&st=75

Basically put it this way... If the strut bars work on the s2000 like they work on other cars, why would there be arguments of how they don't work. And it's not like its a one off thing its been questioned for ages. If it defiantly works people would be questioning it.

LOL, tru dat

**STiR** · 08-07-2008 07:28 PM

You guys miss the whole point of a strut brace. By fitting a strut brace you will reduce the chassis flex (which has nothing to do with whether or not you have macpherson struts or a wish-bone suspension set up), and this effectively means your left and right shock-towers are 'communicating' better. There is a reason nissan fitted a strut brace on the GTR. Any reduction in chassis-flex will result in improved suspension performance. Weld in a roll cage and you will understand.

**gilberts2k** · 28-07-2008 07:51 PM

I have finally ordered the front and rear strut braces from Ebay and am waiting for the arrival.

**ludecrs** · 28-07-2008 09:00 PM

Hope they turn up....

Unlike Aus Post losing the BNIB Whiteline F&R Sways I posted to Perth last month.

****ING ****S.

**AusS2000** · 29-07-2008 01:58 PM

How the hell do you lose bloody great heavy sway bars?

**ludecrs** · 29-07-2008 05:39 PM

Don't ****ing ask me!

Did I mention they weren't insured and I have decided to give a refund.......

I didn't insure them, because I thought the same thing.....

****s.