welding in the rear strut brace?

[ash00]

Hey gang,

Has anybody welded in their rear strut brace? It seems there really isn't any reason to drill into an already weak area- and I can't see any reason why you'd take it out once its in.

Any thoughts?

[NickVyse]

welded a home made brace in the Touring, but only to the side panels. The top of the coilover bolts through the brace to secure it on the shock tower. There was a real need to brace the Touring seeing as it lacks a rear bulkhead.

[ash00]

Cool-- looks like you have cutaways for access to the upper shock nuts

For a normal sedan however, we can just weld onto the shock tower- I think remember seeing some unitized with the roll bar...that also seems like a neat idea.

[dubois]

I welded mine about 4 years ago. No problems so far. It has the battery tray (TEP), and there is just enough space under to slide the trunk panels and get to the spare (which I have never used either). I also thought that big tack welds are better than poking holes on good metal.

[ClayW]

Hey gang,

Has anybody welded in their rear strut brace? It seems there really isn't any reason to drill into an already weak area- and I can't see any reason why you'd take it out once its in.

Any thoughts?

I practice the "When in doubt, check with Stella" approach. Check this out:

I like the idea of welding up the mounts to bolt your brace to.

[-=Charley]

i shared the same logic..i welded the bottom after i took this pic and was able to tack the bottom of the batt tray to the floor also.