11-13-2015, 04:44 PM
There have been a bunch of failures after welding reinforcement plates. They're not too hard to find on the forums. It seems like that's just a bandaid for the problem and the cracks just move elsewhere.
Technically, welding is the most expensive route since that isn't a DIY for me. I also talked to my friend who is in the process of getting his doctorate in mechanical engineering and he seemed to think epoxying would be the way to go vs welding in an area like this. He said epoxying is guaranteed to strengthen the area while welding is kind of a hit or miss depending on how good the person is at welding.
The X brace definitely seems like a good idea, there is no doubt that will help strengthen the rear mount points, it's just debatable whether that is doing enough for the front mounts without additional reinforcement.
Technically, welding is the most expensive route since that isn't a DIY for me. I also talked to my friend who is in the process of getting his doctorate in mechanical engineering and he seemed to think epoxying would be the way to go vs welding in an area like this. He said epoxying is guaranteed to strengthen the area while welding is kind of a hit or miss depending on how good the person is at welding.
The X brace definitely seems like a good idea, there is no doubt that will help strengthen the rear mount points, it's just debatable whether that is doing enough for the front mounts without additional reinforcement.
2015 VW GTI | 2007 4Runner Sport
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2010 Nissan 370z | 2003 BMW M3
2005 Subaru WRX | 2010 BMW 135i | 1999 BMW M3
2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 | 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX SE
1995 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX | 1996 Pontiac Firebird
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2010 Nissan 370z | 2003 BMW M3
2005 Subaru WRX | 2010 BMW 135i | 1999 BMW M3
2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 | 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX SE
1995 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX | 1996 Pontiac Firebird