Eric_Oz_S2

RS Barn sells a chasis brace that connects the caster eccentrics. This is supposed to maintain camber in cornering, and apparently has more of an effect than a strut brace (as the caster mounts are less stiff than the strut towers).

The 968 guys on another forum think they make a big difference.

Anyone used these?

Van

I have not used one... but, considering the flex at the strut towers, I'd believe there's a bit of flex down there, too.

gt37vgt

I can't say how good it is but me and my chassis guru certainly believe in it i have made one for my car that is threaded so it cam be preloaded.. also bmws wich have the same front end introduced one on the E36 ..
but looking at how it is i would prefer something that picked up the end of the eccentric interested of of the mounting bolts this would lessen the eccentric bolt deflecting in the block..

SeaCay

The bolts connecting the caster blocks to chassis are in single shear. Looking at the brace, it only solves 50% of the problem. Have the brace connect to the chassis as well and create a true double shear arrangement? Much better.

Techno Duck

My biggest concern with that piece is how low it sits to the ground. I have not seen one in person, but based on the pictures floating it appears to sit about 1/2-1" lower than the caster block. I am personally concerned with it getting ripped off in the event of an off track excursion. I have been tempted to order one on a few occasions though.

User 41221

I'd be concerned about clearance of the exhaust on a 951. I talked with a Brey-Krause guy about this (it looks like RS Barn took B-K's idea for this product as well as having B-K's product listed for sale on their website) and they said theirs wouldn't fit.

I have no experience using either piece. Conceptually, it makes sense, altho I'd be a little worried about adding even more stress on the caster mount bolts.

Mark944na86

Deutsch Nine have a caster block brace that is designed to work with their uniball caster blocks and a strut brace:

http://www.deutschnine.com/mm5/merch...uning-handling

Predictably very expensive, but an interesting solution nonetheless.

thingo

The Brey Krause does fit the 951, it is a bit tight near the exhaust but it fits. I prefer the design myself.

V2Rocket

where on the chassis would you attach it? ill go fire up the welder

User 41221

Cool, any chance you can take a picture of it, I'd love to see it! The B-K guy seems convinced it wouldn't clear and actually talked me out of buying it, as I was willing to take a chance until he said otherwise.

SeaCay

Yes, it's not an easy fix, but it's the right fix. You'd need to weld a set of captive nuts into the chassis and then fabricate your caster block cap to afix to those bolts and the caster block mounting bolts. I would go with 1 outboard, and 2 trailing (your crossbar would be the inboard point).

Secondly, having the caster blocks bolted to the chassis in double shear will reduce the side bending forces placed on the mounting bolts, resulting in lessened chances of failure at a place where you really don't want that to happen.

V2Rocket

howabout a captive nut on the frame rail behind where the caster block mounts

SeaCay

I think this would be a great place for it.

User 41221

I would think that shear forces wouldn't be a problem. The longitudinal forces are my concern, as the bolts are at risk of stripping out the threads in instances where you get up/down movement beyond the limits of the suspension movement (potholes, or going off track, hitting a gator, etc).

That notwithstanding, I haven't used any of the devices in question and think that, properly secured, its a good idea. I have never heard of anyone having a problem using these, but I expect its a pretty small sample of 951 owners that have them installed.

[EDIT] Seacay, you have exactly the right idea, imo.

Scott H

Just to piggy back off what someone said early about the E36 chassis brace in the same spot. It mounts to the frame rail about 4-6 inches behind the caster lollipops. It honestly just looks like they threaded a piece of square 1/4" steel, recessed it a little into the frame rails, welded it in, and then just ran a piece of tubing, pinched at the ends and with holes drilled through to allow mounting.

Here's a picture to illustrate. This is the upgraded X-Brace for the E36 that ties the chassis to the front subframe. Stock is just the big rear tubing tying the sides together.

http://www.understeer.com/images/tech/xbrace-21.jpg