$236.00
6-Point Subframe Brace
[6pnt]
Date Added: Saturday 10 September, 2005
by Donald Smith
I don't know if my '01 convertible is just a freak car or what, but installation of this thing was very painful for me. Other peoples' comments seem to indicate that they had no trouble at all. I guess some production variations are unavoidable, so some people will have more trouble than others. I had a whole lot.
This kit comes with two rivet inserts that are to be installed in two holes in the subframe to become two of the bracing points. One hole is round; this one accepted the insert nicely and the riveting action (check out the install guide in the Gallery to see what I mean) was easy and flawless. The other hole is square, so a "modified" rivet insert is provided which just has two sides shaved down a bit so you can pound it into the hole.
However, I found it impossible to get this insert riveted in correctly. The square hole makes it too easy for the insert to rotate and lose its grip on the hole, and once that happens you're pretty much screwed. I pulled the rivet and tried again with a new one (Taliaferro was kind enough to send me more rivets) and had pretty much the same result, so I just wrenched it around until it was kinda stuck and continued on.
I also had a problem lining up the brace on one of the other fastening points; I was unable to get the brace over far enough to clear the hold in the frame. I ended up having to drill against the frame to clear enough room for the bolt to get through to the fastening plate, and even then it screwed in a bit crooked.
To make a long story longer, I did manage to more or less get the thing bolted up after all. In the end, I don't know whether to attribute all the trouble I had to variations in my particular car or to inaccurate measurements and/or production of the brace itself.
On a positive note, my short test drive after the install did show some significant improvement in the ride when going over bumps. I didn't push the car at all in any corners so I don't know if it had any effect on that particular aspect. I may be running on a 5 and a half point brace, but it still helps. :)
I'd rate this product high on the concept and end results (this thing is a MUST for convertibles), but I have to reduce my rating due to the difficulty I had getting it installed.
Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
This kit comes with two rivet inserts that are to be installed in two holes in the subframe to become two of the bracing points. One hole is round; this one accepted the insert nicely and the riveting action (check out the install guide in the Gallery to see what I mean) was easy and flawless. The other hole is square, so a "modified" rivet insert is provided which just has two sides shaved down a bit so you can pound it into the hole.
However, I found it impossible to get this insert riveted in correctly. The square hole makes it too easy for the insert to rotate and lose its grip on the hole, and once that happens you're pretty much screwed. I pulled the rivet and tried again with a new one (Taliaferro was kind enough to send me more rivets) and had pretty much the same result, so I just wrenched it around until it was kinda stuck and continued on.
I also had a problem lining up the brace on one of the other fastening points; I was unable to get the brace over far enough to clear the hold in the frame. I ended up having to drill against the frame to clear enough room for the bolt to get through to the fastening plate, and even then it screwed in a bit crooked.
To make a long story longer, I did manage to more or less get the thing bolted up after all. In the end, I don't know whether to attribute all the trouble I had to variations in my particular car or to inaccurate measurements and/or production of the brace itself.
On a positive note, my short test drive after the install did show some significant improvement in the ride when going over bumps. I didn't push the car at all in any corners so I don't know if it had any effect on that particular aspect. I may be running on a 5 and a half point brace, but it still helps. :)
I'd rate this product high on the concept and end results (this thing is a MUST for convertibles), but I have to reduce my rating due to the difficulty I had getting it installed.
Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!] 
