NB front shock tower brace straightness

[Noodle]

Hi,

I recently purchased a factory NB shock tower brace which I am tossing up whether to return or not.

The bottom of both these images are the passenger's side of a right hand drive mx5.





Could other fellow NB shock tower owners check the straightness of their tower brace on the passenger side. How does it compare to my pictures ?

Your help is greatly appreciated !

Thanks in advance.

[grump]

looks like a noodle to me, seriously ,dosen't look right. won't do its job if it isn't straight.

[Noodle]

looks like a noodle to me, seriously ,dosen't look right. won't do its job if it isn't straight.

Hi Grump,

Are you comparing to your own NB brace or is that your opinion?

I am just trying to find out if it was like that from factory to avoid fouling against something in the NB, like the ABS module or something.

I do understand that under compression it is weaker and is more likely to buckle.

Thanks

[grump]

Noodle, Its just my opinion, you could be quite correct in thinking that it is bent to clear something when fitted. After looking at my NA brace and other braces ,they are all bent in profile. Just not seen one that is bent in plan view though. I really think its probably not a problem.

[wun911]

I have stock NB8B brace...

Its like what you have in your pic...

[Noodle]

I have stock NB8B brace...

Its like what you have in your pic...

Hm... is it to avoid fouling against another object? I'm not too familiar with the NB8B engine bay.

Thanks

[wun911]

Sorry here is the pic...

I just tried to line it up to a spirit level...


Im not sure what clearance is needed for what??

The pic I have shows an identical kinda curve to the strut brace, so I guess its normal??

Im also kinda sure I didnt bend it, it hardly ever comes off the car, and I highly doubt I drive it that agressive to bend or twisted it??

[Noodle]

Hey wun911,

That's exactly what I was after. Thanks a million.

Wonder why there's a bend there from factory though. Maybe its to pre-determine the failure mode under a side impact crash so it absorbs more energy.

Who knows.