Don't have e-mail for Gazza, so contacting via BR.
As promised - a report back on my front strut brace fitted to the Maxima/QX.
Basically, it works! Much improved turn-in and less understeer. I really was sceptical and only manufactured one on the advice of a mate who's a ride & handling engineer at MIRA. The Maxima/QX has a pretty substantial bodyshell and a large pressed 'web' between the front suspension towers and the firewall - so I didn't think a tower brace would make much difference, but I was wrong.
I manufactured mine out of steel on a CNC machine (after taking lots of measurements!) and it fits very nicely. Just recently I found this Hong Kong company that sells to the UK on Ebay. They take PayPal and charge £16.50 for delivery. The bars seem to sell for £30-40, so not a bad price overall:
www.marqus-hk.com
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Thank you very much for the information. I've been busy with exams and away work so have not been in touch. It is good to know that it works.
I've had a look at the bar and they look good. I am thinking of buying one when I travel to HK in Sep/Oct and save on P&P.
Just wondering on how you fit it. Do you have rubber bushes between the bar and the bodywork? I am worrying about scratching off the paint on the body and rusting in the future. Also, would the 3 bolts from the suspension struts be long enough if I were to use the original nuts?
Thanks,
Gazza
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Thank you very much for the information. I've been busy with exams and away work so have not been in touch. It is good to know that it works. I've had a look at the bar and they look good. I am thinking of buying one when I travel to HK in Sep/Oct and save on P&P.
Bring a few back and sell them on Ebay (might cover the cost of yours).
Just wondering on how you fit it. Do you have rubber bushes between the bar and the bodywork? I am worrying about scratching off the paint on the body and rusting in the future.
No rubber - it all needs to be 'tight'. I wouldn't worry about rusting. The mounting plates are in the engine compartment and warm/dry. Once you bolt it up tight there will be no relative movement and so no scratching. If you are worried then coat the mounting area with a bit of extra paint and/or waxoyl.
Also, would the 3 bolts from thesuspension struts be long enough if I were to use the original nuts?
Yes - the studs coming through front the front struts are plenty long enough (about 18mm). The mounting bracket is steel, only about 2-3mm thick so plenty of thread left for the acorn nuts. Torque for the nuts is 39lbs/ft
Thanks, Gazza
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Bring a few back and sell them on Ebay (might cover the cost of yours).
Are you joking? I cannot imagine that there are many QX in the country, let alone the number of QX owners who want to buy strut bars for their cars. :-)
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You would be surprised. I occasionally check out Ebay for QX items (spares, literature etc.) and someone always seems to be bidding on them.
I bet if you bought back two, you would have no problem selling them.
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Reporting back on my findings after trying it out for 3 months (and a couple of road rallies). My verdict is it definitely worth the £18 pounds I paid. Turn in is better now and the front suspension feels like it is working much harder than before. Ultimate grip level does not appear to have change but handling is much more neutral meaning I can "attacked" the corner with more confident - only in road rallies, of course. Couple with new rear shocks to stop the tail-swing, the car handles much better than before. Front tyres are now appeared to be feathered at the outer edges and all tyres seems to be wearing much faster tells me that I should stop cornering that fast.
Next item - front shocks?
PS Apprilia: Many thanks for the information.
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Glad it worked for you.
As you know, I made my own up out of thick-walled steel tube and CNC'd some brackets for the strut tops. I immediately noticed much less understeer and a sharper response to the steering.
Incidentally, you were looking for a spare remote for the QX. If you are still after one then I may be able to get one (secondhand) for you. Let me know.
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Hi Aprilia, I am still after a spare remote. If you have a spare one for sale, would you kindly email me on garrison_tsang(at)yahoo.co.uk please? Many thanks, Garrison
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