I just installed the Ford Racing Strut Tower Brace and noticed that it makes contact with a pipe coming out of a canister on the driver's side fender. I don't think it's a big problem - I can easily wrap the pipe with some type of insulation. But I'm just wondering if anyone else has run into this.

 

That's an A/C line. You definitely don't want them rubbing together. The steel brace will definitely win vs. the aluminum tube. Is there any wiggle room with the mounting of the strut bar so you can slide it forward a hair. If not, you can probably CAREFULLY tweak the refrigerant line back away from the bar. The best option beyond these would probably be to cut a short piece of hose to wrap around the refrigerant line.

 

I was pretty sure it was A/C. Since this brace is a popular option, I was curious how others have dealt with it - and if they had to. It does not appear that position of the canister itself is any way adjustable.

Good idea. I figured a piece of rubber hose wrapped with some type of pipe insulating tape should be cool.

 

Mine wasn't an issue. There is room to negotiate everything an inch or two so go ahead and look to see where there's wiggle room and simply manipulate the hoses and tubes. I've added several black zip-ties to hold thing together as long as there were no heat concerns.

 

Shaun - are you saying there is at least one inch between the brace and the a/c line?

 

NO...I'm saying that between moving the brace such that it is furthest toward the grille in the bolt holes, and moving other hoses/tubes you can wiggle about 1" of total movement. If your conflict is about 1/2" of overlap you should be able to generate a 1/2" clearance (theoretically).

They will be "close", but not two sheets of paper close. You should have confidence that they don't always rub when driving. If you don't you may want to take the brace back for an exchange as everyone else seems to have at least a little room.

 

Although there was a little wiggle room in the brace's holes, the shape of the brace on the strut towers (the round part) doesn't allow for any play. I would have to think that all Ford Racing braces would be pretty much the same measurement, so I don't think exchanging it would be a solution (unless I exchanged it for a different kind).

The A/C pipe is NOT really in the way...they only touch. As suggested above, I cut an old piece of hose and wrapped it around the pipe where it touches the brace. I'm pretty sure this is all the protection it needs. But I'm anxious to see how much room there is in other FR brace installs. I'm also wondering if that little canister can be moved back about 1/4". That would do it.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

It's my understanding that the brace was just redesigned to accomodate the plenum cover and still clear the hood. I doubt that would make a difference in your case. I'm wondering if something is out of place on your car by chance.

 

I would think that the only thing that would be slightly out of place would be the A/C line itself. A very small adjustment would be all that's needed. It looks like just a little bit of a bend down below would solve the problem, but I'm not sure if that's possible.

 

As luck would have it, I was at my dealer today (fighting over my spoiler delete!) and spotted this on the Shelby GT on the showroom floor. They've attached a section of plastic wireloom on the A/C line, so you're obviously not alone. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic, but you can still make things out...

 

Wow, thanks man! That's great! I was planning on trying to find a Shelby to look at this weekend. Did it look like the wireloom touched the brace?

Much appreciated.

Paul

 

It was definitely making contact. I was going to try wiggling the refrigerant line to see how tight it was before I got the "may I help you" that really meant "touch the car and die" from the sales manager.

 

That's a big help Rob...thanks.

 

I havent heard anything about a redesign of of the ford racing, and it definitely didnt fit over the cover, I just recently purchased a bmrfabrication strut brace, feels much tighter than the ford and is much higher quality. If you want a good brace, nice and solid with awesome powdercoating you should look into the bmr piece if you look around you should see my post on it. good luck. Oh yah also for the a.c lines you should have some wiggle room. As long as you are careful you can probably bend them just a touch as well. but if you are not able to accomplish either of these tasks, just get some wire conduit to put around it. I had the ford racing brace and it did not touch any such a/c lines. see ya

 

JUST happened. I know they're going into production but I'm not sure they've made it into stock yet. I'm not certain, but there may be a part number update to reflect with or w/o plenum cover.

 

FYI, I just looked at the box and it has a manufactured date: 10/30/06!

 

I just checked and I have the same problem. I adjusted the STB a bit forward and I could add a clearance of about 1mm but no more, so they are not touching, but I have not much clearance at all and I'm worried that they will end-up touching when driving.

I'll try the wireloom/hose as well. The STB gets pretty hot from what I felt before. What temperature range should I be looking for for the wireloom/hose (up to 300 degrees F should do it?)

 

Davis--

I've had the FRPP Handling package since day 1, and I didn't even notice this until you pointed it out!!

My strut brace is touching that line in the same fashion as yours. I haven't had any issues in over a year of driving, though.

I think I might put a protective sleeve around it now that the "problem" has been pointed out.

I don't notice any defects (bending, discoloration, etc) in either the brace or the tube.

 

It's not going to get THAT hot. Some simple wire duct or heater hose should be fine.

 

Very interesting.

I'm just going to pick up a piece of wireloom (I think I meaured the pipe to be 5/8") and consider myself done with this project.

You guys are great. I LOVE this forum!

Paul