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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Wheels / Tires / Suspension / Brakes Cheap EBay Strut Brace
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      12-05-2019, 04:34 PM   #1
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Cheap EBay Strut Brace

Item link: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F264087717513

Installation was easy, just removed the top 3 bolts that's holding that your struts than place it over. However, I had to made some of the existing holes on the product a little bigger in order to make them sit flush with my coilover bolts. Shipping was fast and for the price I can complain.
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      12-05-2019, 07:20 PM   #2
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Notice any difference? Do you have any other bracing mods?
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      12-05-2019, 09:20 PM   #3
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same here...notice any difference. you'll feel it going around corners. glad someone actually bought one and posted pictures! thanks! another to add to the mod list
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      12-05-2019, 10:01 PM   #4
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It feels a little tighter but to be honest I might be biased haha. I'm having suspension clunking noise atm and I'm trying to resolve that this weekend. I already replaced my end links with a beefer adjustable one from godspeed. But it is still making noise so I'm thinking it is my sway bar bushing. Anyway, I went ahead and bought a front and rear upgraded sway bars from Eibach. All this installation will be done this weekend and I will keep you guys updated.
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      12-05-2019, 10:06 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
It feels a little tighter but to be honest I might be biased haha. I'm having suspension clunking noise atm and I'm trying to resolve that this weekend. I already replaced my end links with a beefer adjustable one from godspeed. But it is still making noise so I'm thinking it is my sway bar bushing. Anyway, I went ahead and bought a front and rear upgraded sway bars from Eibach. All this installation will be done this weekend and I will keep you guys updated.
awesome! let me know how the install goes with those Eibachs do you have a link for those end links from godspeed
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      12-06-2019, 09:34 PM   #6
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Looks good.
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      12-09-2019, 08:53 AM   #7
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I have one of these as well, bought from a forum member here. He originally bought it from Tuner Motorsports. The Tuner one and ebay one are literally the same thing, just at triple the price (yikes). It's a tad tight, but fits without issues. You'll notice in the picture that it leaves a bit of an indent in the foam insulation. Doesn't bulge the hood at all or make it harder to close, just very tight.

Tips on install:

BMW recommends replacing the strut tower bolts, but if you have aftermarket coilovers or struts, this is likely moot. P/N is 31306795151, they changed from hex to torx so that's a bit annoying. Torque is 28nm.

Wiechers, the company that originally designed this, suggests a torque rating of 24nm for the bolts that connect the strut brace (silver part) to the mounting triangle (black part). You'll also need a hex bit for this part. I used a torx bit, but it was very sketch. Use the proper tools.
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      12-10-2019, 02:39 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unspec View Post
I have one of these as well, bought from a forum member here. He originally bought it from Tuner Motorsports. The Tuner one and ebay one are literally the same thing, just at triple the price (yikes). It's a tad tight, but fits without issues. You'll notice in the picture that it leaves a bit of an indent in the foam insulation. Doesn't bulge the hood at all or make it harder to close, just very tight.

Tips on install:

BMW recommends replacing the strut tower bolts, but if you have aftermarket coilovers or struts, this is likely moot. P/N is 31306795151, they changed from hex to torx so that's a bit annoying. Torque is 28nm.

Wiechers, the company that originally designed this, suggests a torque rating of 24nm for the bolts that connect the strut brace (silver part) to the mounting triangle (black part). You'll also need a hex bit for this part. I used a torx bit, but it was very sketch. Use the proper tools.
Good stuff Unspec!

Photo of strut tower bolt (P/N is 31306795151) from ECS...


Last edited by John H.; 12-10-2019 at 02:41 AM.. Reason: Added info.
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      12-10-2019, 06:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unspec View Post
I have one of these as well, bought from a forum member here. He originally bought it from Tuner Motorsports. The Tuner one and ebay one are literally the same thing, just at triple the price (yikes). It's a tad tight, but fits without issues. You'll notice in the picture that it leaves a bit of an indent in the foam insulation. Doesn't bulge the hood at all or make it harder to close, just very tight.

Tips on install:

BMW recommends replacing the strut tower bolts, but if you have aftermarket coilovers or struts, this is likely moot. P/N is 31306795151, they changed from hex to torx so that's a bit annoying. Torque is 28nm.

Wiechers, the company that originally designed this, suggests a torque rating of 24nm for the bolts that connect the strut brace (silver part) to the mounting triangle (black part). You'll also need a hex bit for this part. I used a torx bit, but it was very sketch. Use the proper tools.
Any difference you notice after installing this in day to day driving?
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      12-10-2019, 08:46 PM   #10
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Quote:
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Any difference you notice after installing this in day to day driving?
The front feels a tadddd tighter, but I haven't been able to drive much since installing the bar so it might just be placebo.
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      12-12-2019, 12:52 PM   #11
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Okay, just got them installed the other night I have not taken the car out for the test ride due the crappy weather. The front were really simple to install. However the rear was a pain in the ass. I'm assuming this is due to the different in the sizing. I'll update again once I get more seat time in the car.
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      12-12-2019, 02:37 PM   #12
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I'm definitely interested in this as well. How long did shipping actually take? Shows to come out of Latvia
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      12-12-2019, 03:20 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
Okay, just got them installed the other night I have not taken the car out for the test ride due the crappy weather. The front were really simple to install. However the rear was a pain in the ass. I'm assuming this is due to the different in the sizing. I'll update again once I get more seat time in the car.
Isn't that a sway bar, not a strut bar lol

Also, based on the pictures, it looks like you're comparing the two sway bars but have the red flipped. Hope you didn't install your sway bar backwards! Unless those bars use completely different geometry compared to OEM.
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      12-12-2019, 03:24 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unspec View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
Okay, just got them installed the other night I have not taken the car out for the test ride due the crappy weather. The front were really simple to install. However the rear was a pain in the ass. I'm assuming this is due to the different in the sizing. I'll update again once I get more seat time in the car.
Isn't that a sway bar, not a strut bar lol

Also, based on the pictures, it looks like you're comparing the two sway bars but have the red flipped. Hope you didn't install your sway bar backwards! Unless those bars use completely different geometry compared to OEM.
This is my follow up to my other post. I wasn't going to make another thread on it. And no I installed them properly theres really one way to install them you will know if it is wrong.


Also, shipping was fast it really took 7 days.
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      12-13-2019, 12:59 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
This is my follow up to my other post. I wasn't going to make another thread on it. And no I installed them properly theres really one way to install them you will know if it is wrong.


Also, shipping was fast it really took 7 days.
good to know it only took 7 days. I may have to get one. I still haven't upgraded my sways yet
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      12-13-2019, 10:40 AM   #16
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Quote:
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good to know it only took 7 days. I may have to get one. I still haven't upgraded my sways yet
From personal experience, it could be 7 days, it could be a month.

I ordered 2 items from the same Lativa seller (Euro side mirrors). One arrived in a week. It took the other one nearly 3 weeks. It really depends on customs.
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      12-16-2019, 01:19 PM   #17
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I got to driving around this past weekend ohhh man. I gotta tell you I'm so happy that I resolved the clunking noise issue I had previously. The car is very responsive now. When I do quick maneuver it does very well. Definitely an overall improvement in the handling. Body rolls is now minimal compared to stock. For the price eibach is probably the best bang for your money. One of the best upgrade needed for the f10.
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      12-20-2019, 11:19 AM   #18
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I am def. getting this strut bar. I run summer tires during the summer season which are really sticky, so if the strut bar even makes a 5 percent difference than it's worth it for me. Thanks for the review.
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      12-21-2019, 02:21 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
Okay, just got them installed the other night I have not taken the car out for the test ride due the crappy weather. The front were really simple to install. However the rear was a pain in the ass. I'm assuming this is due to the different in the sizing. I'll update again once I get more seat time in the car.
I had to disconnect my MPE cans to get the rear SB in.
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      12-21-2019, 03:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John H. View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
Okay, just got them installed the other night I have not taken the car out for the test ride due the crappy weather. The front were really simple to install. However the rear was a pain in the ass. I'm assuming this is due to the different in the sizing. I'll update again once I get more seat time in the car.
I had to disconnect my MPE cans to get the rear SB in.
You removed your whole mufflers?
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      12-22-2019, 08:38 AM   #21
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You removed your whole mufflers?
I did. They were easy enough to remove. It gave me more space to work with.
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      12-22-2019, 08:39 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jooobi3 View Post
Item link: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F264087717513

Installation was easy, just removed the top 3 bolts that's holding that your struts than place it over. However, I had to made some of the existing holes on the product a little bigger in order to make them sit flush with my coilover bolts. Shipping was fast and for the price I can complain.
How long did it take for you to get the bar?
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