Improving the design of vehicles today is possible with the help of various devices or products. Car enthusiasts willingly use such means, among which stretch marks should be especially highlighted. They allow car owners to perform inexpensive tuning. In addition, under-hood extensions give the body rigidity, which is important when moving the vehicle at increased speeds. Such products differ in affordable cost. And they are installed without the involvement of specialists, with their own hands.
Types of metal stretch marks
The choice of these devices takes into account the specific modification and brand of the vehicle. There are also universal options that experts do not recommend using. It is better to buy a stretch taking into account the car model. In addition to the hood, these structures are also installed on:
- rear suspension;
- wings;
- rear pillars;
- lower levers.
The most popular are metal braces mounted under the hood. In particular, they are installed on the A-pillars. Such products are distinguished by their high efficiency. After their installation, the rigidity of the entire vehicle increases. This allows for excellent handling when traveling at higher speeds.
However, in order to achieve this result, it is necessary to select quality products made from a high-strength metal alloy.
Advantages
Many car owners doubt the effectiveness of such tuning. They treat metal stretch marks with doubt and are in no hurry to carry out the installation of such products. Inexperienced drivers should consider a number of benefits these stretch marks have. Among them it is necessary to highlight:
- affordable cost;
- ease of use;
- ease of installation;
- increasing the maneuverability of the car;
- improved body rigidity;
- increased stability while driving;
- stopping the body swing.
In addition, metal braces act as additional engine support. They reduce lateral roll when cornering. These products have a different design and fastening - the functionality of the stretch marks depends on these parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the type of such devices with the help of a specialist.
Flaws
Any tuning has its drawbacks, which must be taken into account before performing such a manipulation. Stretch marks under the hood are no exception. First of all, the steering wheel suffers. When driving, turning the car is more difficult.
In some cases, stretch marks can increase the turning radius. Most often, this happens when choosing low-quality products. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the quality of stretch marks when buying. You cannot save on this.
For example, Chinese stretch marks do not differ in their quality - the strength and durability of such products is not enough. Also, they are not suitable for every modification of the car.
Preference should be given to products that are produced by leading auto ateliers. Reputable ateliers make stand-up braces for specific brands and modifications of machines.
It is not difficult to secure these elements under the hood. Such tuning will help car owners increase the rigidity of the entire body and achieve excellent handling. Products are attached to racks located under the body with a suitable tool. Original spacers are always accompanied by detailed instructions, according to which the installation must be carried out. Even an inexperienced motorist can cope with such a task.
Use of the spacer
Often, under the hood of a car, along with other units, elements and assemblies, you can see a spacer. It is attached to the front pillars, performing not only an aesthetic function - such products have their own practical purpose.
To find out, you need to understand the body parts. They are not part of a coherent whole - rather, they are separate parts arranged in a specific order. Some parts are welded and others are threaded. When a vehicle is driven over an uneven surface, deformation occurs and the geometry of the vehicle deteriorates as a result. At the same time, the stability of the vehicle decreases. The foremen record deviations from the current norms.
This may not be reflected in normal driving. However, if the driver decides to seriously increase the travel speed and spin in a circle, the control can become problematic.
After the vehicle leaves the driver's control, anything can happen. By installing a stretch, you can prevent such situations - it prevents deformation of various components and assemblies located under the hood. This is especially true for turns. Drivers with struts on a car will be able to enter them at high speeds without fear of deformation and loss of body geometry. Spacers by design parameters are divided into the following types:
- adjustable;
- whole;
- three-point;
- two-point.
They differ from each other in the way of installation. There are two types of fixation - "glasses" or threaded elements. There are no fundamental differences between the listed types - they are equally effective and have identical functions.
In addition to the engine compartment types, there are rear struts that are installed on the rear pillars. Some are skeptical about these tuning elements, believing that if a blow occurs in the wing, the strut will cause damage to both struts. However, they forget that transport must be used as intended. Experimental strikes in the above parts of the car are not allowed.
Each driver decides on his own whether or not to put stretch marks under the hood. The choice depends on the wealth, tastes and driving style of each particular motorist. Such tuning can be called an effective bonding element that gives the driver confidence on the road. And if you are a fan of steep turns and super-fast races, then you simply cannot do without a spacer. It will help protect the car and prevent any deformation processes. However, there are also such motorists who install stretch marks under the hood just for beauty and to attract the attention of others.
Body problems
In the modern automotive industry, body frame structures are not used. The thickness of the metal of the body does not exceed one millimeter, and this causes damage and deformation of various parts of the body. As a result, the controllability of the car worsens and control when driving is lost, which often leads to accidents.
The process is accelerated if the car owner likes to drive fast. There are drivers who like to dive around corners at high speeds. The sight is very impressive, but irreparable damage is caused to the body. If the car is new, such changes will be imperceptible, but over time they will certainly remind of themselves and force the owner to take urgent measures.
There are car enthusiasts who prefer the installation of stretch marks on the rear pillars. Although this option is not widespread enough. An extra spacer takes up free space in the trunk, and it is often not enough. Thanks to such tuning, it is possible to preserve the parts that are fixed by a welded method. Stretching, as it were, holds all the elements under the hood into a single whole, preventing loosening or breakage of welded and threaded connections. This improves the handling of the car, and it perfectly withstands increased loads during aggressive driving.
Installing the front struts
The car owner will be able to cope with such tuning on his own, without involving specialized specialists. For this, the availability of the appropriate tools is sufficient.
First, the machine must be parked on a level place. After opening the hood, you need to find the cups. Each nut is unscrewed and a spacer is put on. Installation should take place without physical effort. After that, washers are put on, and the nuts are screwed back. You do not need to overtighten the nuts.
Features of stretch marks
There are a lot of fans of high-speed driving today. If you belong to this category of motorists, it is better to use a modern tuning tool and install high-strength and reliable spacers under the hood or on the rear pillars. This will help you keep the car in its original form even after hours of high-speed racing.
Additional rigidity of the body is considered a mandatory requirement for such a ride. The accuracy of the response to your commands will also increase along with the handling of the vehicle. Stretching binds the body elements transversely, preventing them from loosening and vibrating during sharp turns or driving on uneven surfaces.
In this way, you can knit not only the front, but also the back elements. Externally, the spacer is very similar to a piece of an ordinary water pipe. However, this is a complex product made for a specific brand and modification of vehicles.
Stretch marks are produced by specialized enterprises, taking into account the sizes of various models. For this, high-strength steel grades are used that can withstand enormous loads. Particular attention is paid to the places of joints - they are performed using high-precision welding machines.
However, in factories, mistakes are sometimes made, and auto mechanics in service centers are engaged in their correction. Too fragile and thin bodies are very sensitive while driving, causing poor handling. If you do not take appropriate measures and do not strengthen such vehicles, their operational life will be significantly reduced. In addition, corrosion processes will begin, destroying the metal. The "playing" body creates a serious danger on highways not only for the driver, but also for passengers.
The stability of such vehicles decreases, and controllability is also lost. For these reasons, the best solution to safety concerns is to perform tuning using a spacer. This is not an eccentricity, but a very realistic option for increasing the rigidity of personal transport.
The distance between the cups of two cars of the same modification may differ. This phenomenon is due to permissible errors. In foreign cars, the degree of errors varies in the range of 1-2 mm. And in domestic cars, they are calculated in tens of millimeters. And this is not the limit. Therefore, there are non-adjustable and adjustable stretch marks.
If we are dealing with non-removable components, the fixation of the guy wires takes place with a welding machine. The product is welded to the body structure for high strength. The car gains rigidity under loads and does not wobble. As for the threaded connection, even if everything is twisted as tightly as possible, movements cannot be avoided. And the welds are not subject to "dangling". Consequently, welds made with high quality and conscientiousness are considered the most reliable and durable. It is this moment that motorists should pay special attention to.
Today, there are also under-body stretchers. They are placed both longitudinally and transversely. This is an optional frame component that secures the suspension arms. This tuning element prevents the body from "diverging", helps to preserve its integrity and prevents the formation of deformation processes.
Brace beams are made of stainless, carbon-steel, aluminum and titanium alloys. The cross section of the products can be square or round. Tuning with spacers is performed with additional decorative elements - this can be chrome plating or painting products in a bright color scheme.
Safety cage
To increase body rigidity, a so-called roll cage is actively used today. This is a metal structure that is installed in the cabin. It comes in different types. The simplest solution is considered to be the installation of arches above the seats. They will rest against the ceiling surface of the cabin.
It is more difficult to make a spatial frame. It is located between the front and rear suspensions and is equipped with a safety grille, sills and sides. With the help of such a frame, a reinforced system is created that can withstand any mechanical stress up to the strongest collision between vehicles.
There are demountable structures that are easy to assemble and install. An alternative to this option is welded frames. The latter are distinguished by their complexity and are installed directly on the car body. Collapsible models are equipped with safety grilles. Welded specimens are used during major vehicle upgrades.
The bolide frames are manufactured taking into account the harsh geometric standards. They use high quality components. And the installation of these structures is carried out in strict accordance with applicable standards.
One important detail of these structures should be taken into account - the installation of a safety cage will cost the car owner one passenger seat.
After such tuning, your salon will become three-seater. When installing pipes, the rear seats must be removed. The size of the seats is considered an important parameter. This procedure is performed using four to five point safety belts. Such an element cannot be considered superfluous - for example, sports cars without such a frame are not allowed to race. It is he who is considered to be the protection of the rider. These products, as well as guy wires, are made of steel components. Although there are also aluminum samples. The weight of the frames varies in the range of 25-40 kg. Bright colors are used for their coloring. At the request of customers, foam rubber or insulating foam is additionally applied.
Summing up
Body extensions are considered to be effective elements of car tuning, which have important protective functions. By fitting them under the hood, you get a well-connected system that is not subject to mechanical stress, vibration or shock while driving.
These are affordable products that a car enthusiast with any income can afford to buy. And the installation is done in a matter of minutes without any extra effort or knowledge of skills. Fans of extreme aerobatics need such tuning to protect the car from all kinds of consequences during high-speed driving.
Lovers of measured driving should not ignore the spacers. Something unexpected always happens on the roads. Saving on the quality of such tuning elements is not welcome - it is better to pay more and purchase a reliable, durable and strong enough product that will not break or rust a few weeks after purchase.
|| list |
- Types of metal stretch marks
- Advantages
- Flaws
- Use of the spacer
- Body problems
- Installing the front struts
- Features of stretch marks
- Safety cage
