Rear Fender Brace, Zero Decibel Motorsports

[Mechie3]

Zero Decibel Motorsports Rear Fender Brace

http://i.imgur.com/l3RNiNL.jpg

What:
Adjustable brace to help set and maintain rear fender panel gaps.

Why:
The rear fenders/side panels are supported in three main areas: At the rear bumper, at the shock tower brace, and around the entire cockpit area. In between the shock tower and the rear bumper is a rather long unsupported length. Using just the two FFR supplied bolts on the shock tower can put excessive stress on the side panel lip causing it to crack. Getting good panel gaps can also be difficult. With one end having a right hand thread and the other having a left hand thread you can easily pull the side panels together or push them apart with a simple twist of the main shaft. Panel gaps can be easily set before drilling holes into the shock tower brace.

Cost:
$68

Shipping
$15 in continental US. Ships in a new shipper tube for lowest costs.

Includes
2 laser cut and tumbled aluminum brackets
1 RH threaded stainless steel rod end (with teflon sleeve) and nut
1 LH threaded stainless steel rod end (with teflon sleeve) and nut
1 shaft with RH and LH threaded ends
2 Stainless steel screws and nylock nuts

Uses 3/16" rivets supplied by FFR to attach to body

Prototype version with 1 anodized face (finished version is tumbed)
http://i.imgur.com/f1LIxe0.jpg

Prototype installed at trailing edge of engine cover.
http://i.imgur.com/qGEbbUH.jpg

[AZPete]

Yes, Craig, I need a rear fender support! PM sent.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Ill take one Craig.

Henry

[bompus]

I'll take one also

- Aaron

[Mechie3]

All paid orders shipped this am via priority USPS. When you open it, one end of the shaft has blue tape and one of the end assemblies has blue tape too. These are the left hand threaded sides. Just in case you cross thread something and want to chase it with a die or tap the rod ends are 1/4-28 thread.

[tmoretta]

I will want one of these. How about a donut spare tire mount above the transaxle?

[AZPete]

Craig, I received my fender brace and it's perfect! The finish is even better than your photo. Soon I'll start putting body panels on and this brace will hold the rear fenders. Thanks!
Pete

[Mechie3]

Excellent! I was worried that some of the shafts had gotten some small scratches on them.

[AZPete]

It looks good to me and I'll undoubtedly add my own scratches when I install it. :D

[bompus]

I didn't look mine over for scratches since it will get plenty of those anyway :) Got mine as well and look forward to installing it when the time comes.

[Mechie3]

Still have a few of these left.

[wleehendrick]

Still have a few of these left.

I was on the fence since I'm still far off from body mounting, but I'll go ahead and get one. I'll paypal you.

[AZPete]

How is it possible to mount the rear body panels without this brace? Yesterday I was struggling to hold the sides to the bumper trying to get clamps on, which I finally did, but then one clamp slipped and I started over. I tried this twice before I remembered that I had bought a rear fender brace from Zero Decibel - duh. I mounted the brace and admired the clever design and how it easily pulls the sides in precisely. Next, I'll mount the engine cover and adjust the sides to fit. When I bought this 5 weeks ago I thought it would be good because Craig made it but I did not realize how essential it would be.

To those following: Before you mount the body panels, get the rear fender brace or a good supply of Valium.

[Mechie3]

Haha! Thanks Pete.

Fred did discover an issue with this brace though. If you mount it where I did, it interferes with the trunk hinges. I didn't have mine mounted at the time. You can mount it further back and it won't interfere, but then it's no longer tucked in.

For those that already bought this, I have a new hinge designed. I'm just waiting on the CNC to be fixed so I can make up new hinges and send them to everyone that already bought this. The other option is to use it as a 1 time tool to mount it and then remove it (not a big fan of this, as it becomes an expensive 1 time tool). As a bonus, the new hinge gets rid of the stamped OEM steel piece. It looks a little out of place with the rest of the car.

[Quiny]

Sounds good, thanks for the update

[07FIREBLADE]

Darn wish I saw this last night. I just ordered new oem hinges. Still want to get this brace though.

[wleehendrick]

For those that already bought this, I have a new hinge designed. I'm just waiting on the CNC to be fixed so I can make up new hinges and send them to everyone that already bought this.

Sweet... that's generous!

[metros]

I'm in 100% once you have gen 2 completed.

[Triathletedave]

Do you still have any fender braces for sale? I should order one if you do. Thanks.

Dave

[Mechie3]

I have to order some more parts (mostly hardware) but can get them if people want them AND they understand it can't be mounted where I mounted mine without modifying the trunk hinge or buying the one I'm going to make (only those who purchased the brace prior to Fred discovering the issue will get a free one).

[07FIREBLADE]

How much extra is the new trunk hinge going to run us?

[freds]

I should have mentioned...

Hope this helps especially with your redesign too Craig.

The only way I could get my stock hinges and rear cover panel to work was to add 3/8" spacers between the hinges and the Chassis. That is I moved the hinges 3/8 towards the rear.

After that getting the alignment, easy opening etc. was comparatively easy. (Before that....Impossible!)

fred

[Mechie3]

Thanks Fred!

07Fireblade: If it can be accomplished with simple spacers, then likely the cost will go up a minimal amount ($5?). I'd have to do the math. Simply round spacers I can make myself, a nicer plate with rounded corners and and two holes will have to made at a third party shop, but I can't imagine they would cost much either.

I still intend to make the nicer version of the trunk mechanism for everyone that has already purchased it since they purchased it without the knowledge that other things had to be changed.

[metros]

Any updates on the new version?

Wanted to bring this back onto the front page bc I think it'll be extremely useful.

[Mechie3]

I know GUNS installed his yesterday (or two days ago) and liked it.

I'm still working on a solution. I didn't like my first prototype for several reasons. I'm halfway through my second revision. I found another problem (same as freds) in that the OEM/FFR latches don't work for me even without the brace. The trunk bracket is too far back to reach the mounting point.

[Mechie3]

Some updates:

Last week I tried to put my hinges on (no brace) and it wouldn't fit. Freds mentioned he had to space his out. Last night, I attempted the same thing...and they fit. :confused: The only difference I can think of is I bolted it to the lid first while the other screws were loose, then tightened those up. Voila, it works! I don't drink either, so I can't say I was drunk the first time I tried fitting it.

Moving on, I put the brace back on. In the closed position I had about 3/8" clearance. I could just stick my thumb between the brace and the hinge. In the open position it did hit the OEM stamped metal piece. I just hacked out a notch with a sawzall to prove the concept. You can cut it and round the edges to look nice. This allows the lid to open up all the way.

That said...
1: I still plan to make the billet hinges for the 4 or 5 people that already bought one of these. Of course my record keeping is terrible so I'll have to search through my paypal statements to see who that was.

2: I will now offer these again for those who want them as well with the understanding that you have to notch out the hinge to work and that it's a tight fit and, if you don't line up your brace or body well, you might need to add washers underneath the stamped metal part.

Check out my build thread for the latest hinge design I came up with.

[Mechie3]

Just realized I didn't post any of the pictures I took last night.

Trunk lid closed:
http://i.imgur.com/VqfuCdl.jpg

Trunk lid removed, closed position:
http://i.imgur.com/Qyz2bGW.jpg

Trunk lid open:
http://i.imgur.com/flivj94.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nRVmziR.jpg

[wleehendrick]

That said...
1: I still plan to make the billet hinges for the 4 or 5 people that already bought one of these. Of course my record keeping is terrible so I'll have to search through my paypal statements to see who that was.

I'm one... that's very generous of you, Craig!


Check out my build thread for the latest hinge design I came up with.

Looks great!

[metros]

Love the new hinge design.

With this newest update on fitment - does this mean you're going to keep the current design and recommend the above modification of the hinges to make everything work together? Or are you still planning a revision?

[Mechie3]

Stay with the current fitment. There's nothing I can change to eliminate the need to notch out the hinge aside from making all new hinges.

[Doowop]

Craig, I'm assuming the trunk issue is just on the S, not the R? My kit is shipping tomorrow, so.... :)

[Mechie3]

If you don't use hinges there is zero problem. Not sure if the R forgoes hinges all together.

If you do use hinges, you need to be careful with your placement. I'd recommend bolting the hinges to the frame with the FFR curved bracket and using that to help locate the brace.

[RM1SepEx]

make a trunk prop and don't open the trunk so far...

[metros]

Stay with the current fitment. There's nothing I can change to eliminate the need to notch out the hinge aside from making all new hinges.

Gotcha, but these should work beautifully with your billet hinges?

[Mechie3]

Pretty much. :)

[metros]

Excellent, awaiting the package deal for all 3 hinges, rear fender brace, and t-shirt.

[Mechie3]

Placing an order for more of these. Parts will be available soon.

[Quiny]

Any news on the second generation hinge?

[Mechie3]

I have one on my car?

That's about it so far. Been playing catchup with a few other items and had to finish some one off SEMA car items. I need to make 2 updates. One to reduce weight, the other to provide more clearance to account for car differences. I hope to start making the 4 or 5 next week for those that need them.

[tmoretta]

Would love to have a hinge system that would allow for checking the motor oil without removing pins.

[Mechie3]

Quick update:

My supplier is out of the right hand threaded rod ends. I have an alternate but they're 2x the price. Going to look briefly for a third supplier. I have all of the other parts ready to go.

I started on the billet hinges for the 4 individuals who purchased a brace previously. Ran parts for about 3 hours on Sunday. I haven't forgotten. :)

[Mechie3]

Wife says I have mail at home. That means I have shipping tubes and the final hardware for these. I have 5 pieces.

Please keep in mind when ordering/installing that placement of these is important and the hinge needs to be notched (pictures in this thread). I recommend installing the hinge first (body parts aren't necessary at this point) to aid it locating the brace.

[Mechie3]

Have two of these ready to go now.

[tmoretta]

Can one use small bolts or riv-nuts for attachment and ease of removal?

[Mechie3]

Small bolts yes, not sure if there's enough clearance on the holes to drill them out for a rivnut. The holes are 3/16". What I do when I remove mine is just unbolt the 1/4-20 that passes through the eye of the rod end. The end plates remain on the body, but the rod and ends then come off.

[Buzz Skyline]

I hope to start making the 4 or 5 next week for those that need them.

Are you still selling these? I should have bought one earlier.

[07FIREBLADE]

He is but is out of town for the holidays. I need to hit him up when he gets back.

[Mechie3]

I am selling them. I sold out of the five I had. Last one shipped the day I left actually. Ill order more parts so I can make some when I return.

[Buzz Skyline]

Let me know when you're stocked again, so I can place an order.

[Mechie3]

I have 5 more of these ready to go. My first choice supplier is still out of the stainless rod ends and my second choice supplier costs 2x+ more so I switched to chrome plated rod ends, which are slightly cheaper than the SS. Cost is now $65 instead of $68.

[AZPete]

I found a secondary use for the rear fender brace. To install the front fenders in the correct position so the hood fits there was no way to keep the fenders in place once I removed the hood, so I measured the width needed at the rear of the front fenders and clamped the ZD fender support between the front fenders. Then, I could adjust the fenders to exactly the right width, center them, and bolt the fenders in place. Viola, hood fits between the fenders!
Yes, guys, you need this.

[Frank818]

Craig, your mailbox is full. :)

[rori]

I'll take one too. PM me when you clear some room in your inbox.

[Mechie3]

I cleared out some messages. :)

[tmoretta]

Hi Craig. Is mine shipped? Thanks.

[Mechie3]

Tom,
It will ship out tomorrow. I just finished threading all of the pieces and boxing them up tonight.

[tmoretta]

Thanks Craig

[Mechie3]

Couple updates:

I still owe one person their free trunk hinges. If you paid for your brace prior to 9-24-14, let me know and I'll get the parts sent out to you.

It's been 4 months since I put a deposit down for the trunk hinge bases. I'm not holding my breath any longer. I sent out the parts for quoting at two different shops. hopefully at least one comes back with good pricing and I'll get these going.