Chassis Brace is a Prius MUST HAVE!

Just installed the brace. Install was very easy (even while my back is on the fritz). Took me about 15 minutes (including the time it took to round up the tools). I did not raise the car. I was easily able to reach the bolts from each side. Once removed, I slid a box lid that was about 3 & 1/2 inches high under the car with the new brace on the box, then just secured it from each side.

I did not have access to a torque wrench, so I just tried to tighten them up to match how tight the old bolts felt, which was not overly tight. You definitely don't want to overdo it. Snug and then about 1/4 turn more seems about all you'd want to do.

 

Cool! So how does it drive? Did you need to use a torque wrench?

 

Haven't had a chance to drive it post-install just yet. Will post back here when I have. I did not use a torque wrench. I just hand tightened them. I also put some thread locking compound on the bolts.

 

Yeah, I picked one up too. With all my other projects on the car, I haven't had time to put it in, but I too will advise as best I can what the difference is.

 

Ordered one today, crazy to pass up at that price.

 

Thanks for the heads up, just ordered 2.

 

Yeah I see your order naid. It's hilarious how this guy is getting so many sales all of the sudden.

Couple more things I'm waiting on before I buy. I'm this | | close:

- The promised reviews by those who recently purchased.
- What company or brand stiffening plate is this? ..."G7 CNC"... Who is that? I Googled it and came up empty.

 

So I tried asking the eBay seller about the brace but came up pretty empty handed. The seller didn't have very good English and it appears the brace's origin is obscure as Jesus Christ's, lol. The seller says "G7" is just a name. "CNC" stands for Computer Numerical Control, some kind of manufacturing jargon. If he had to market this product it would cost him more than $39.99. Still so many things remain unanswered...

Where does this product come from? Does he make it? How come the seller only has a brace for the Prius?

Pardon my neuroticism, but I like to know a little bit about the things I buy.

 

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_control]Numerical control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

I drove for about 40 miles and didn't really notice any difference. That being said, I personally think it may only be noticeable at higher speeds in the wind. My trip was cut short by a 2 inch long nail that ruined one of my new hydroedges (stuck in the outside corner of the tread).

I also wonder about the origins of the G7 brace, but for the price I really don't care so much.

 

Just an FYI. Talked to the seller more, got some good info.

1. He used to work as a CNC machinist. The plate is made at his Machine Shop.
2. He's the owner of a 2007 Prius and wanted to improve its stability.

Azipod, are you sure you're not the seller? LOL...

 

Mine arrived midweek and upon tearing open the package my first impression was "wow, simple bit of CNC work here". You can still see the marks from the cutting head and all, not an overly refined job but why would it need to be? Gonna be under car covered in crud anyway.
But even before it arrived I'd started to have buyer's remorse, thinking it was too much of an impulse purchase and probably won't make any difference in how the car feels. Classic case of seeing a product that solves a problem I don't have. But I'm a sucker for a cheap and easy mod, tinkering for the sake of tinkering.
So without any expectations I put it on today after work. Some notes from this experience:

• I feel like it's smart to park on level ground, my garage was perfect for me.
• 12mm socket to remove the bolts on the factory brace, they're not very tight, easy to remove just sticking your arm out while lying on the floor next to your car.
• 6mm hex (allen) to install the bolts that come with the new brace. I have a fairly long one from my cycling tools (Park). Made it easy to apply enough pressure. Don't really need much.
• As you can see in the pictures, holding the brace up near the frame with something helps start the bolts easier.

So after it was on I took it for a short spin. Then went longer as I realized I needed gas anyway. Just backing out of my driveway felt different. As I back down and turn out of my driveway there is a lot of side to side rocking which helped highlight the difference.
"Less plush" could describe it just as easily as "more responsive" - that's always the challenge I guess. On the road and freeway it did feel more solid, tied together, whatever. Lane changes at 65-70mph felt more crisp. I'd never had any complaint about handling with the Prius but I think I like this cheap and easy mod.

- D

 

Great review. I'll order it soon. It seems that the stability comes from the much larger width. I bet if the brace spanned the entire chassis, you'd have amazing handling.

One of my personal concerns is that this mod will make me think I have a performance car and we all know what kind of problems can come from that...

 

Heh, yeah it is kind of funny to sportify the Prius. I'm sure my driving will remain just as sedate as ever.

- D

 

Don, your post inspired me to try a mock install just now, haha. The bolts are very reachable with my 12mm socket wrench and 6mm allen. I have several small cardboard boxes and shoe boxes in my garage that I think I'll use to prop up the new brace.

One thing I did notice is that the bolts on the stock brace are extremely tight. I was supine next to my car with my right arm extended. On one of the bolts, I used all my force and barely loosened it. I positioned myself to have enough leverage on the wrench that my head ended up next to the rear wheel. Though I didnt want to loosen it fully yet for obvious reasons, I could tell that might be a chore....

 

The only hint of trouble I had with the 12mm factory bolts was that they were a bit fouled with undercoating, had to push pretty hard to fully engage the bolt head with the socket.

- D

 

I just installed the brace 2 days ago...it took much more than 15 minutes; maybe because I'm very deliberate. Anyway, I had no trouble installing it.

I noticed an immediate difference backing out of the driveway, as well as going over speed bumps in a parking lot.It seemed like the car didn't wobble as much. I intentionally pushed it driving on a couple of sharp turns. It is much better than before in that regard. I just drove 200 miles on the 70 mph highway in very windy conditions. I occasionally felt the wind gusts, but it didn't seem to affect the tracking of the car like it did before. This mod plus my new tires has made the car much more secure feeling on the highway, for which I'm grateful. Now I'm wondering if I want to get the strut tower brace at some point, however at this point I can't justify the expense until I have another birthday. The chassis brace, though, at this price was definitely worth it!

Chuck