VW strut towers

So last weekend a cattle guard did a number on my strut towers. They are both deformed upwards about 3/4 of an inch. Any ideas on a fix and or upgrade? I was thinking of using a port-a-power to pull the tops down into a large section of pipe from underneath.

This is on a 1991 VW GTI, running Bilstein PSS coilovers, adjusted to the highest setting recommended. I am using the car for TSD events. So far the rate and damping of the struts has been adequate.

Thanks, Robert.

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Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

jvl is making some weld-on templates that use subaru top mounts. get some of those, it's probably the least expensive route you can go that provides enough beef for a rally car.

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http://www.ckrally.com

I am not really looking to change my struts. Like I said they are adequate. Remember that this is a TSD car. Any ideas on repairing or reinforcing the towers? The one picture I have seen of the JVL adapters didn't look like much of a strength improvement. The Burmeister camber plates would help, but I was thinking of welding a sheet metal cap over the towers.

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Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

Hrm perhaps you got the wrong idea. Basically the top thing is a fat plate of steel (like 1/4" to 3/16" that you weld on in place of the stock top, which you cut out. Looks something like this when plated:



This is my current car which is using a selholm strut top, but you will spend sufficiently less dough on regular or group N subaru top mounts, which you can bolt the VW strut without modifications. They are proven to be pretty strong in cars weighing a lot more than our golves... hehe

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http://www.ckrally.com

OK, I think I get it. So it is only the mount that changes. Do you have any more info on the exact type of Subaru part to use? I think JVL is on vacation. If I could get my hands on the correct mounts I can figure it out from there. Thanks!

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Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

I can look at the ones on my newer car (the white one pictured in the brakes thread), I personally don't know, the car came like that.

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http://www.ckrally.com

Rallymech Wrote:
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> I am not really looking to change my struts. Like
> I said they are adequate. Remember that this is a
> TSD car. Any ideas on repairing or reinforcing
> the towers?


Yeah just get the "double skin" things, weld it in.



The one picture I have seen of the
> JVL adapters didn't look like much of a strength
> improvement.

What I'm doing is getting rid of the totally useless OEM bearing, sheetmetal reinforcement is a separate but related thing.


The Burmeister camber plates would
> help, but I was thinking of welding a sheet metal
> cap over the towers.

the Burmeister top plates help the BEARING issue, and they WILL finish them for a larger bearing, and they should---if you're ordering ask for a 7/8" bearing, but call William "Steel Soultions" (search here) for some weld in plates.

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

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