Life and Death of a Brace

[Critterman]

Looks like you had a fun and $$$ visit

[madmods]

Will somebody sell their brace or can I get one made special order? I will pay top price. I am having a hard time controlling the rear end of the car during some of the fast & furious driving scenes. I use to be able to drift the rear end easily, but the extra hp makes it unforgiving now. HELP!

[carlintexas]

MadMods, PM Randy. Maybe they can FedEx one to you.

[Dave@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by madmods Will somebody sell their brace or can I get one made special order? I will pay top price. I am having a hard time controlling the rear end of the car during some of the fast & furious driving scenes. I use to be able to drift the rear end easily, but the extra hp makes it unforgiving now. HELP!

Give us a call 864-907-6004, I think we can help you out.

[12_month_wait]

Originally Posted by Randy@ddmworks

This mangled brace didn't end up this way from just driving with it installed, did it? If so, what's left of the poor car that it was attached to it?

[Randy@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by 12_month_wait This mangled brace didn't end up this way from just driving with it installed, did it? If so, what's left of the poor car that it was attached to it?

Actually yes, that is how it was unbolted from the car. the car is fine, it is driven daily and has 48200 miles on it. There's a reason we make fitment prototypes out of aluminum.

[rob the elder]

Installed mine successfully on Sunday. In the interest of loving positive feedback, the picture of the installed brace in the instructions was pretty much worthless to me. But in the interest of full disclosure, all it took was 30 seconds under the car to figure out how it all goes together.

My biggest challenge was getting the car high enough to fit my 10 inch drill bit and 18V drill under the outside holes. Oh, yes and the DUST.

I was not sure what all the washer /spacers were for. I bolted the main beam up to the factory beam and checked the fit. It was pretty much dead on. Then I torqued down the mounting bolts to the suspension and finally torqued down the side braces to the main beam. Everything fit fine without using any spacers. Am I missing something?

Its obviously a very quality set of parts and I was happy both with the design, the manufacturing and the ease of install. (except for the DUST)

I have not yet had a chance to stress test it but its clear even in normal street driving that the rear end feels tighter. I took the dog to Petsmart with the top down and he agreed with me.

Now all I need to do is add that DDM Works sticker to the bottom of the car so people will know that its there.

[Randy@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by rob the elder I was not sure what all the washer /spacers were for. I bolted the main beam up to the factory beam and checked the fit. It was pretty much dead on. ... Am I missing something? Its obviously a very quality set of parts and I was happy both with the design, the manufacturing and the ease of install. (except for the DUST)

We have discoved that the rear cross brace on several vehicles are different, some are arched upwards and require the spacers. I have a 1st 1K that has the arch, my late model 06 doesn't, but an 07 sky in the shop does.....

[stuck]

I've got a late '07 with the arch and it took 2 washers.

[Dave@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by rob the elder Installed mine successfully on Sunday. In the interest of loving positive feedback, the picture of the installed brace in the instructions was pretty much worthless to me. But in the interest of full disclosure, all it took was 30 seconds under the car to figure out how it all goes together. My biggest challenge was getting the car high enough to fit my 10 inch drill bit and 18V drill under the outside holes. Oh, yes and the DUST. I was not sure what all the washer /spacers were for. I bolted the main beam up to the factory beam and checked the fit. It was pretty much dead on. Then I torqued down the mounting bolts to the suspension and finally torqued down the side braces to the main beam. Everything fit fine without using any spacers. Am I missing something? Its obviously a very quality set of parts and I was happy both with the design, the manufacturing and the ease of install. (except for the DUST) I have not yet had a chance to stress test it but its clear even in normal street driving that the rear end feels tighter. I took the dog to Petsmart with the top down and he agreed with me. Now all I need to do is add that DDM Works sticker to the bottom of the car so people will know that its there.

We will have to see what we can come up with to collect the dust

[rob the elder]

Thanks for the explanation of the washers. Mine was flat, no arch so it snugged up quite nicely.

I would just add a warning statement in the instructions that reminds people that the factory beam is full of expanded foam and to take appropriate precautions. Like putting on the car cover first so the car does not get all dusty.

I now need the "DDM Stiffie Equipped" badge to go on the back of my GXP next to the Punisher Pontiac badge.

[jeff_b_wilson]

Originally Posted by Randy@ddmworks We have discoved that the rear cross brace on several vehicles are different, some are arched upwards and require the spacers. I have a 1st 1K that has the arch, my late model 06 doesn't, but an 07 sky in the shop does.....

Randy,

Does the install require stands or can it be performed on a ramp or over a pit?

[Randy@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by jeff_b_wilson Randy, Does the install require stands or can it be performed on a ramp or over a pit?

Yes it can be done on either, providing you can get yourself and a drill under there safely.

[jeff_b_wilson]

Originally Posted by Randy@ddmworks Yes it can be done on either, providing you can get yourself and a drill under there safely.

Installed succesfully although I have to echo the previous thread that the pictures in the instructions were pretty much worthless. Also some feedback on the bolt hole diameters. Mine were so tight (maybe because of the added protective coating) that they tended to damage the threads of the short bolts when threading them through; the bolts wouldn't just push through. This made starting the nuts difficult. You may want to consider opening those ID's up a mil or two.

All-in-all I like the new feel of the rear (no pun intended) and the car seems to track better in long turns.

[DRM]

I finally got around to install the ProBeam last night. Took the car out for a spin on some back roads today and all I can say is WOW. What a Great product. I highly recommend it.