Mystery strut

[MKNoble]

While I\'m asking for help can anyone tell me why the engine is tied with this strut to the chassis ?

[DRFTRX_82]

my guess would be to stop some engine vibration and/or pitch... :confused:

[MKNoble]

Does that mean that the engine mounts are knackered and this was done to compensate or are there poitive benefits ?

[Fish]

Maybe not. Some do fit these or mini dampers to try and smooth the enigne wobble out.

I think it just puts stress on the area that it is bolted to.

Fish

[MKNoble]

I agree. I might try taking it off and see what happens.

Thanks,
Mike.

[DRFTRX_82]

You prolly wont notice any thing much when you take it off but maybe during hard engagement there is a diferance. and the mounts are probably not f*cked. it might just be there for looks.

[petemillis]

Maybe it\'s to hold the alternator on....

[Gman]

I think we all get a mystery strut when we own an RX http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008\' target=\'_blank\'>http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_118.gif\' border=0>

[DRFTRX_82]

at least everyones cars have struts right now....
mine are all on the ground collecting dust

[Glenn Butcher]

Hi Mike!

Looks like a bit of a dumb place for an engine support bracket.  If it was on a solid bit of the engine (rather than the alternator bracket) then it may actually do something.

Only other thing would be that it helps stop the alternator from moving around - maybe it use to chew through belts or something?

If this is the case, then the pulleys/belts should be replaced.

[Shark]

Is that the only extra brace you\'ve got?

These are usually mounted on the other side of the engine itself and I always wondered if the stress on the brace could be reduced by a similar brace on the other side.  Not sure I would have put it there though.  still, not many other places to mount on that side of the engine.

[scooby_si]

DRFTRX_82 yer one better than me still i aint got none Does look a silly place for an engine mount & i cant normally tell the accelerator from the brake as a technical retard....lol
Si (feeling lonely now)

[g11ary]

its just a piece of pipe thats been flattened at both ends, has not dampening and is fitted to a rather silly position. Id remove and keep an eye on it, sounds like a bodge of some sort

[bobster]

I\'m with Gary on this one.
Just looks like a Bonko (home made) torque brace. that is mounted in the wrong place. I wouldn\'t be wanting put any stress on the alternator, it\'s mounts, or even on the Strut brace.

[Schtoo]

I\'d say torque brace too but it\'s on the wrong side.

And if anything, it\'s doing more harm than good, because it will twist the alternator out of alignment (if it does anything!) and chew up belts and bearings in pretty quick time.

Maybe it is there to help tension the belts because some neanderthal didn\'t know why they invented the 2 foot long screwdriver?