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Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 2:45 pm
by Surrey Sam
I fitted this last week. So thought I’d post a review/experience of the product, as I believe it may be the first fitted to an RS4?

***Click on pictures to enlarge***

The brace is designed to improve upon the OEM L-shaped brace fitted to all B8 Audi variants, which is located behind the engine fire wall. I’d read a number of positive reviews from S4/S5 owners in the United States where the product was made by an enthusiast. When I then found out a right hand drive one had been produced by James, it peaked my interest even further. So after a couple of email exchanges to see if it should fit the RS4, it was decided that there should be no reason why not and I got it ordered.

OEM L-shaped brace.
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Canyon Run CR-15 brace.
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Cost was $168 which was paid via PayPal and cost me at the time (Jan ’18) £125.74 shipped to the UK. It then attracted Import VAT and fees which came to £26.03; so the total cost in GBP was £151.77. This was all handled by Parcel Force. James sent me a tracking number at the time of ordering and door to door, the whole process took about 10 days for the brace to arrive. It was extremely well packaged. James also included via email some instructions, but in the box there was also a paper print out to utilise as well.

Fitment was fine and done in less than 30mins. You remove the plastic bulkhead cowling and rubber to gain access. It is mentioned in the instructions that some cars require a tab on the OEM brace flattening down. Sure enough, my car (perhaps all RS’s) was like that. So a small wooden block and taps with a persuader had the tab flush, that then allowed the brace to sit down nice and level. New fixings are included and pick up on OEM threads, some of which are oddly enough, not used by the original item which is still left in place under the new one.

This tab requires flattening down to allow fitment.
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Additional fixing point picked up by new brace, the extra washer supplied also needs to go on this first. So it can level out the Canyon Run brace once fitted.
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Fitted.
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Once fitted and everything is put back together, you would be hard pushed to see the car had this component installed, as the black anodised finish blends in with the other engine components. Perfect for what I like and want.

Cowling and rubber re-installed. Finished discreet look.
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So, what you all really want to really know is - Was there any benefit? Short answer, Yes.

Taking the car for a test drive, immediately the cobbles at the end of my driveway were absorbed better and the steering feel felt smoother and a touch heavier. Heading out to a favourite road and the first opportunity to tip the car into a corner at speed, had me steering too much and I had to back off the steering angle. It’s like the car responds more immediately to the steering wheel inputs and after a few more miles, my mind had adjusted to it just fine. The front end of the car rides through the surface imperfections far better and feels more solid, with a lovely reduction in deflection. You can feel the two front corners just working more harmoniously together.

Overall it's been on for a week now and covered 300+ varied miles, I'm yet to find any negative aspects from having this fitted. So think it’s a good value for money product.


***Update*** July '18

I've covered over 5k miles now with this CR-15 brace fitted and still have nothing but positive praise for the product. There are no ill effects whatsoever and the car performed lovely around the challenging roads of the Scottish Highlands trip I recently did. Well worth the money spent.

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 3:08 pm
by Brooner
nice find Sam
do you have contact details for this

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 3:25 pm
by Surrey Sam

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2018 4:26 pm
by Brooner
Cheers

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:01 pm
by Silver7
Looks great, think I will order one. Wonder why the steering feels heavier?

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:54 pm
by Surrey Sam
Honestly, I have no idea. People have said that it's like going from comfort to dynamic, but I certainly don't think the change is that prominent and I'm quite sensitive to changes in the cars characteristics.

I was also reluctant to say that it improves steering feel. I think what it does do, is allow the suspension/roll bars to filter out interference better and that then helps you to understand the feel, which was already there in the first place but getting masked.

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 2:14 pm
by innercry666
Now that the strut brace is installed it may well be worth getting the car alignment tweaked by a specialist to get the best out of it.

I had my RS4 set-up by Centre of Gravity a couple of years ago and they spent quite a bit of time trying to dial-out the under-steer that was in the car. The front end was actually quite pointy but there was quite a lot of toe on the fronts. I would imagine the strut brace would at least provide a stronger basis for the car to be a better steer.

I've planned to take my car back to COG for some tweaks but wanted to swap to the KW Height Adjustable Springs first but it sounds like the strut brace would be a good addition and money well spent so will do that as well.

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:55 pm
by Silver7
Well this seems like one mod that can’t invalidate a warranty so I am all in! Messaged them and ready to order

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 9:15 pm
by MikeFish
Nice bit of research there Sam.

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:55 am
by Surrey Sam
:thumbs: Thanks Mike.


***6 month update*** July '18

I've covered over 5k miles now with this CR-15 brace fitted and still have nothing but positive praise for the product. There are no ill effects whatsoever and the car performed lovely around the challenging roads of the Scottish Highlands trip I recently did. Well worth the money spent.


Those of you who have purchased one, please feel free to add your perspective to this thread :thumbs:

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 1:32 pm
by MK2Golf24v
I fitted one, didn't need to bend the tab as there was a cut out in the brace for it.

Its nothing magic, no night and day differences, but certainly doesn't hurt for the money.

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:20 pm
by marc1
Sounds like a good mod Sam. Have you considered the H&R ARB’s available for the B8 platform (listed as A4 B8)? Slightly thinker than stock, with two hole adjustment. I’ve felt ARB’s are a worthwhile upgrade on all the Audi’s I’ve had. Theres a fair few that have done this to the B8 now too. Pretty cost effective and reverseable if you didn’t like it.

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:25 pm
by iainrs6
Looks like it would be about as effective as a lollypop stick...

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 11:00 pm
by Silver7
I have one, no downsides, more steering feel, slightly heavier steering, not an issue. V happy

Re: Strut Brace - Canyon Run CR-15 installed

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 9:00 pm
by Sammyb349
For me, it’s the more solid response rate I get. I agree it’s not night and day but there are positives to it and no negatives... that is valid for money to me 🙂