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| Under body brace vs sway bar for the money; Let the debate begin (if there is one) | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 30 2015, 02:52 AM (5,419 Views) | |
| Bannedfonz | Jul 1 2015, 07:29 AM Post #31 |
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Sounds good. didn't think it would be good for a street car. Even thought the lowering springs would be too stiff for every day use. Hey Perfesser, I don't know about the nation, but locally (maybe tri-state) we are still going strong on the consumption! the county is mainly German so you can imagine... I am a native, well since I was 4 anyway... Still not a lot of friends here. High school was funny. We had kids drive anything from a 2 year old Porsche to a 20 year old farm truck... The city kids wanted to be farm boys in their cowboy boots and big trucks, never stepped foot on a farm in their life and wouldn't know what to do if they did... Anyway, enough of that for now. |
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| Metromightymouse | Jul 1 2015, 08:42 AM Post #32 |
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Powdercoat Wizard
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I got the front and rear braces in exchange for powdercoating. I just flat haven't had the money to buy a lower brace or the time to weld one up. I'm sure it would make a bigger difference and completely lock the front geometry in place. As far as noise, it absolutely did. Keep in mind that the chassis and suspension parts probably have close to 400k and definitely have over 300k (changed clusters 3 times I think ) and it's pretty worn out. I have had a solid clunk when hitting bumps or hard cornering that has gone away since I installed the brace. I suspect that with the strut towers stabilized whatever is worn out isn't shifting across where it has too much play. I have all the parts to replace the entire front suspension (I think ), I just have to get all my customers parts out of my garage. I have to replace my clutch set as well since it is slipping under heavy load. |
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| t3ragtop | Jul 1 2015, 04:55 PM Post #33 |
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Turbo3 and Twincam Tweaker
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i'm a firm believer in using the lower brace - a 4 point at minimum. the turbine tech brace was the absolute best off the shelf aftermarket unit and jess tremblay will always get big up from me for making those available. the murr 4 point braces were good as well but liam quit producing those long ago. that lower 4 point brace keeps the car from ripping itself apart. the north american domestic market mk2/3 metros came without sway bars (although the sf416 chassis had the front mounting points) and handled like a shopping cart with a bad wheel. i would no sooner drive a metro without sway bars than i would be inclined to poke a bear in the eye.if you are building a competition car or even a precision fun car. the upper front and rear strut tower bars are next. it helps rid the car of that last percentage of squirm. dattman is correct on the upper strut mounts. i needed to make possible the adjustment of front camber so i made solid mount camber plates. the ride suffers but the steering precision is much improved. on my red vert i did everything i could to eliminate all the "give" in suspension and steering. it rides as rough as a cob but it goes in whatever direction i point it like an arrow.
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| Metromightymouse | Jul 2 2015, 05:28 AM Post #34 |
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Powdercoat Wizard
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When poking bears in their eyes, one must make sure to have a very long, very sharp stick and be sure to thrust with enough force and precision to penetrate the eye socket and impact the rear of the inner skull. It is not recommended to attempt this activity with a finger or any other bodily protrusion as the bear is equipped with a great many poking devices and unless it is incapacitated it will likely attempt to return the favor while greatly increasing the number of pokes. Unfortunately, bears are not known for their sense of fair play or limited escalation. Some form of remote poking device is strongly recommended, especially for amateurs. Geometroforum.com, helping people poke bears since 2015! |
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| Bannedfonz | Jul 2 2015, 06:42 AM Post #35 |
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Nice
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| Bannedfonz | Jul 3 2015, 01:38 AM Post #36 |
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Another silly question since we are on the subject. That diy rear brace, does it actually do anything? I'm only mounted on one screw (the one closest to the hatch). The bar shouldn't flex, it's not bar stock but it's 1" metal post used for chain link fence. Just asking cause I noticed a difference when I push on the side of the car. I can see the front noticeably rock side to side but the back looks like it's pretty solid with the brace on. Of course, I didn't try it without the brace so I don't have a comparison... Just looking for thoughts. If I had a welder (and subsequently the ability to weld) I would have made a bracket for it to mount around the shock mount, but I have neither. So I threw it together in about 30 mins and called it good... |
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| perfesser | Jul 3 2015, 01:53 AM Post #37 |
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Elite Member - Former Metro owner
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Just a word of caution about welding on a galvanized post - DON'T DO IT!!! The heat burns off the zinc as a poisonous gas that can kill you! Even if it doesn't, the medical bills are a lot more than a brace would cost and the mental disability from just a whiff or two could stay with you for life. Other than that it sounds like a great plan. |
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| Bannedfonz | Jul 3 2015, 02:00 AM Post #38 |
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If I could weld, I'm sure I could find better stock to use than some surface rusted used fence posts... lol I do appreciate the info though. Had no idea. My grandfather used to stick weld and I helped on several projects. Even built a trailer for a boat he was picking up. Barely got my feet wet in welding though and that was 20 years ago. I did run a welding robot here at work but I guess that doesn't count |
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| Woodie | Jul 3 2015, 07:28 AM Post #39 |
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Not 100% sure of what you're asking here. I'm assuming you're talking about a homemade brace that ties the two rear strut towers together at the top. Also seems as if you're talking about standing outside the car and rocking it by pushing on it. No brace is going to have any effect whatsoever on how much the car rocks side to side. The springs, struts, and sway bars control the motion of the body in relation to the road. The chassis braces control how sturdy the body of the car is, how likely it is to flex and twist. Think of a cardboard box sitting on some wimpy springs. if you stand beside it and push on the top edge, the box is going to flex a little bit and the springs are going to allow a certain amount of lean. Now think about a metal box, or to take it to a ridiculous level, a solid cube of metal. You'd eliminate the flex in the box, but still get the exact same amount of lean. If you stiffen up the springs to reduce the lean, you're going to increase the amount of flex in the box itself. |
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| GeoZak | Nov 22 2015, 02:26 AM Post #40 |
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Fresh Fish
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Great thread, I'm looking at improving the handling on my 00 metro. Would like to go with sway bars as after reading this thread it seems they have the best affects for improved handling/suspension. I am unable to find Turbine Tech or MAC sway bars. Tried to find both sites, MAC didn't have a metro option. I must be missing something...would someone mind providing the links to these products? Thanks |
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| CAMI MAN | Nov 22 2015, 02:51 AM Post #41 |
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CUSTODIAN OF THE MR.SUZUKI CONVERTIBLE
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Here you go Sir >>> Turbine Tech >>> http://www.turbinetech.ca/component/tienda/products/24-swift?lang=en Sway bars they speak of are factory units . , Get a underbody brace first
Edited by CAMI MAN, Nov 22 2015, 02:57 AM.
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| Ned | Nov 22 2015, 02:34 PM Post #42 |
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Member
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I was on the phone with turbotech last month. They no longer have braces in stock but are willing to make them to order. I was quoted a price somewhat higher than what you see listed on the website but I believe that included shipping (from Canada). |
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| Woodie | Nov 23 2015, 05:23 AM Post #43 |
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Hey Ned, I need one of those. Wonder if we could get a discount for two? |
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| WE3ZS | Nov 23 2015, 12:34 PM Post #44 |
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Member
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Or 3 maybe......
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| Murf 59 | Nov 23 2015, 03:49 PM Post #45 |
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Welcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.





i would no sooner drive a metro without sway bars than i would be inclined to poke a bear in the eye.
Nice



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7:31 PM Jul 10