strut tower brace

[Mrmike]

I have a '23 Outer Banks (1.5L) coming next month. I already have an engine cover ordered for it. The question is whether a Steeda strut tower brace will fit a 1.5 engine with an engine cover installed

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[Deleted member 6350]

I think your all set, the brace is towards the back of the engine bay vs the engine cover will be more up front. I would call Steeda to make sure it fits the 2023 model.

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-5736-escape-strut-tower-brace

 

[Chief of the Boat]

Easy install on my Badlands.

 

[AndyMac204]

i can't see why it wouldn't fit, strut towers seem to be in the same spot.

 

[Winds of Change]

I have a '23 Outer Banks (1.5L) coming next month. I already have an engine cover ordered for it. The question is whether a Steeda strut tower brace will fit a 1.5 engine with an engine cover installed

If production has not even begun how do we know the engine cover will still be missing?

 

[Mrmike]

We don't! I bought one with my Ford Pass rewards points. If it comes with one, I'll sell the one I have on this forum. This way I'm sure I have one!

 

[bjbena]

If production has not even begun how do we know the engine cover will still be missing?

You can bet your life Ford will not be adding it back at this point.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

If production has not even begun how do we know the engine cover will still be missing?

They stopped putting them on in early 22 on the 2.0’s and mid 21 on the 1.5’s. Same with many other items listed on another thread. Ford has actually stated the engine covers are no longer supplied. They were not so direct on some of the other parts.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

We don't! I bought one with my Ford Pass rewards points. If it comes with one, I'll sell the one I have on this forum. This way I'm sure I have one!

Ford has already publicly stated they are not including engine covers on the Bronco sport. Same holds true for folding rear headrests, digital temperature control knobs, LED starter button indicator, passenger side insulation panel, and a few others that I can’t remember. Oh, lighted cup holders for the OBX.

 

[Mrmike]

Easy install on my Badlands.

How about brake master cylinder access?

 

[Winds of Change]

They stopped putting them on in early 22 on the 2.0’s and mid 21 on the 1.5’s. Same with many other items listed on another thread. Ford has actually stated the engine covers are no longer supplied. They were not so direct on some of the other parts.

Thats the answer I was looking for.

 

[Osco]

I would think if there was any measurable upper chassis flex we’d be cracking windshields.
I am amazed at how solid, stiff, tight and stable my BOX STOCK Bronco sport feels.
From the few that have been crashed, rolled over down hills,
Fell off the semi’s I think it would be obvious that a simple bar across and right in front of the upper unibody cross over would be useless eye candy.
If there was flex to the point that bar would help we’d have weird wear on our door hinges and painted body parts would not stay aligned.
I call it a useless add on to get inside your wallet.
Hey it’s a free country and it does look cool.
We are able to voice our opinions in here right ? No one has to agree with mine.

 

[Winds of Change]

I would think if there was any measurable upper chassis flex we’d be cracking windshields.
I am amazed at how solid, stiff, tight and stable my BOX STOCK Bronco sport feels.
From the few that have been crashed, rolled over down hills,
Fell off the semi’s I think it would be obvious that a simple bar across and right in front of the upper unibody cross over would be useless eye candy.
If there was flex to the point that bar would help we’d have weird wear on our door hinges and painted body parts would not stay aligned.
I call it a useless add on to get get inside your wallet.
Hey it’s a free country and it does look cool.
We are able to voice our opinions in here right ? No one has to agree with mine.

I thought I've read about delicate windshields breaking, sometimes for no apparent reason.

 

[Osco]

I thought I've read about delicate windshields breaking, sometimes for no apparent reason.

I haven’t seen anything in this forum so far.
If that was true every time we bounced down a trail we’d be breaking windshield’s.
IF this was true it would be a never ending thread like the ghostly engine covers that forever haunt us.
Yeah yeah I know I’m plugging Halloween a bit. :’)

 

[Mark S.]

I call it a useless add on to get get inside your wallet.

The primary benefit of these components is to prevent changes in suspension geometry under heavy cornering forces. In a suspension system utilizing Macpherson struts, the wheel and tire are held in alignment throughout the full span of suspension travel primarily by the strut's attachment to the unibody frame. During hard cornering, the attachment point is under extreme stress, which can result in flexing of the unibody. If the unibody flexes enough it can cause changes in suspension geometry. Unexpected changes in suspension geometry can change the direction the tire is pointed, which can result in undesirable handling qualities.

If you are a Bronco Sport owner concerned about handling qualities associated with unibody flexing under maximum cornering forces you have likely purchased the wrong vehicle.

Incidentally, this discussion highlights the danger of trimming away pinch welds in the interest of installing larger-diameter tires. These pinch welds connect different components of the unibody together, and eliminating or weakening them can reduce rigidity of the unibody, which will then flex more under load. I guess if you trim away your pinch welds you might try to make up for the loss in rigidity with a strut tower brace, but then you will have made yourself a suspension engineer doing real-world testing on a new design. No thanks.

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