AE86/XT130/RA40 Struts

[Vaughn]

Yes i have looked but i haven't found a thread on them yet

I was wondering what the actual difference is? I know they are interchangeable and they use different rotors

looking for a cheap upgrade for my AE71 that comes as a package: strut, hub, break set up so i can do up some weld on coilovers

I have read that xt130's can hit on full lock and can also reduce your lock

I have read that RA40's are very similar to 86

I would prefer 86 struts but they are generally a bit more expensive and they are also getting harder to find as a package

Cheers
Vaughn

[jakel]

I have BC front ae86 coilovers and they are fine, reasonably priced and know of a few people that also use them. Otherwise celica/supra ones are good, and have bigger brakes won't fit under 13's so must be bigger than ae86 stuff.

[Jacobxxx]

[Vaughn]

Cheers Jacob

ive already got xt130 LCA's and a lock space so im just looking for struts at the moment but its hard to find with hubs and breaks at a reasonable price.... im running out of money :/

someone just put struts and hubs up for sale for $100, in vic though :/

oh and one other thing xt130 struts cause rotor to foul on end of LCA.

Can be solved with strategic use of a hammer... dont always like smacking shit with a hammer

[stahlz_ae86]

This only happens when trying to use AE86 steering knuckles with XT130 struts brakes etc.. I got around it by making a jig of an 86 knuckle and making hybrid knuckles. The reason it happens is because the ball joint hole is further outboard on an 86 knuckle than on an xt130 knuckle, causing the strut/hub/brake assembly to be pulled towards the LCA. The hammer solution is equivalent to attending the mardi gras in drag, period.

I would recommend the XT130 upgrade for daily use but as the discs are still solids I have cooked my pads at the track. The XT130 setup is better than standard AE86 front end in my opinion as it has bigger diameter discs (266mm as opposed to AE86 234?mm) and larger wheel bearings. The stub axle angle on the XT130 strut is slightly different and without either longer LCA's or adjustable camber tops I think the install results in slight positive camber. No issue in my case as I'm using both XT130 LCA's and adj camber tops.

The RA40 struts seem to be the pick of the bunch though, they share the similar design to AE86 where you can unbolt the caliper bracket as well as having the same stub axle angle. They're the bigger wheel bearings too like XT130 hubs. I'm currently tinkering with some brake upgrades onto RA40 struts/hubs as they seem to be the best to work from.

Any more questions, fire away.

[Vaughn]

Thanks heeps for that Paul

I have read your thread on the jig that you made, with just the 3 round bars welded to a piece of square bar, looked like a pretty good idea

i just got out from under the car. Putting xt130 LCA's in at the moment haha, half way through it and cant seem to get my castor arm back on so i though ill sleep on it haha

but yeah i will have to try sauce some Ra40 struts by the sound of things

They sound the goods

[Hen may possibly be a nut]

Comparing the three types of struts:

AE86 - Fit and work. Small stub axles and bearings. Limited factory brake options (small solid/vented discs), but thousands of aftermarket ones.
RA40 - Fit and work. Big stub axles and bearings. Limited factory brake options (solid discs), good base for custom brake setup.
XT130 - Fit but may have LCA love issues as discussed above. Big stub axle and bearings. Cast brake mounts, suit Hilux and MX62 (with work) calipers.

[Vaughn]

Cheers Hen with RA40's you can do the peugeot/hilux break upgrade

[Hen may possibly be a nut]

^^ If that's a question then I don't know the answer. RA40s have a nice, flat mount for a brake adaptor around the stub axle (like AE86s, but with a simple rectangular bolt pattern)

[Vaughn]

Yeah thats true, i was just trying to gain other people's opinions. As i have read a bit but was still unsure as to what i should get. Im still a NOOB!