[200q20v] Re: "UltraBernie"?

[Dale McCormack]

Bernie:
Does this  mean you don't even want one to evaluate? 
 
Other readers: 
If put into production this proposed bi-directionally rigid design would
be totally compatible and upgradeable with BB parts that have been
recently discussed and announced for sale.

Other readers discussion or input?



Bernie Benz wrote:
> 
> Dale,
> 
> I've expressed my thoughts to George and maybe copied the list, I don't
> remember, on trying to use a strut brace in a bidirectional force mode, i.e.
> commpression and tension.  So, here it is again, from a slightly different
> perspective.  You can't help but loose overall system stiffness because the
> strut tower rubber bushings have very nonlinear force/deflection
> characteristics.  They are softest at zero deflection and stiffen rapidly
> either side of zero.  (Akin to the zero crossover complications of designing
> a p-p amplifier, George, excepting this is nonlinear rail to rail.)  The
> compression only strut can and must be set up to avoid the zero force cross
> over by moving its operating point away from zero to one of a greater
> bushing deflection, thus taking advantage of the resultant increased
> stiffness.  So, IMO, you are sacrificing functional performance as well as
> increasing weight and drasticly increasing the cost of the brace with your
> "lily guilding".
> 
> If there were a good reason to design an adjustable strut for bidirectional
> forces there are much cheaper and lighter designs than right and left hand
> threading a thick walled tube, one of which I have used for the lower
> control arms on a Lotus.  But I won't describe it, as you don't need it.
> Do what you wish, but please don't "UltraBernie" my design and sell it as
> such.
> 
> Bernie
> 
> > From: Dale McCormack <dale at themccormacks.org>
> > Organization: Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
> > Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 16:06:09 -0600
> > To: Bernie Benz <b.m.benz at prodigy.net>
> > Subject: Re: "UltraBernie"?
> >
> > Dear Bernie,
> >
> > Thanks for your support and creativity too.
> >
> > I've been corresponding offlist, as well as on, with George Sidman
> > regarding the compression/tension issues of the EMT tube.
> >
> > In talking with my machinist, we're going to fabricate a few LH and RH
> > threaded tubes, with a thicker wall diameter, to correspond with LH & RH
> > rod ends/jam nuts.  This change will lock the strut towers in both
> > directions.  Despite this not being part of your original design, on the
> > surface I can't see how it could be harmful, and perhaps an improvement,
> > under certain conditions.  Regardless, you'll have a copy for evaluation
> > soon.  Please supply me with your mailing address.
> >
> > Thanks again,
> >
> > Dale
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Bernie Benz wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Dale,
> >>
> >> I'm glad to see that someone, you have decided to take over parts fab and
> >> distribution on the Benz Brace.  This should make it much easier for many to
> >> impliment this upgrade.  As you may know, I have built 3 of these strut
> >> braces, two installed on type 44 chassis cars per the site pictures, and one
> >> currently being installed on my 89 chassis 90Q-20V, now that I have moved
> >> the battery out of the way and to a new location under the rear seat.
> >> Inasmuch as some of our 89 chassis brothers may also be interested in parts,
> >> I will take the liberty to send this post to the 20V List also.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Bernie
> >>
> >>> From: Dale McCormack <dale at themccormacks.org>
> >>> Organization: Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
> >>> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 13:59:04 -0600
> >>> To: 200q20v at audifans.com
> >>> Subject: [200q20v] "BernieBrace" Part Orders Now Accepted
> >>>
> >>> To:  "BernieBrace" Inquirers
> >>> From:  Dale McCormack
> >>> RE: Initial Production of Strut BraceAdapter Nuts, et. al.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks to many of you for your initial indication of interest in
> >>> purchasing two (or more) Strut Adapter Nuts (SAN) for the Audifans 200
> >>> turbo Quattro (or other Audi Type 44 vehicle) as mentioned in the qlist
> >>> mail.
> >>>
> >>> There has been sufficient interest that I will be providing both the SAN
> >>> and/or Rod Ends w/Jam Nuts for completing most of the Strut Brace
> >>> (a.k.a. "BernieBrace").  In addition to my parts, the strut brace design
> >>> calls for approximately 40" of EMT thinwall tubing and some "hand
> >>> fitment" to complete the job.  See the following location for complete
> >>> instructions: http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/strutbrace.html
> >>>
> >>> Part Prices:
> >>> 1 pair SAN nuts (one car)   $23.00
> >>> 2 pair SAN nuts (two cars)   $41.00
> >>> 1 pair Rod Ends w/Jam Nuts (one car) $37.50
> >>>
> >>> Shipping (to same address):
> >>> $4.00 (nuts only up to three sets)
> >>> $7.50 nuts & rod ends  (one or two complete sets)
> >>> Larger orders contact for quote.
> >>>
> >>> Ordering:
> >>> Please 1) email your order (dale at themccormacks.org) and 2) promptly mail
> >>> check payable to (sorry for the pita redundancy, but it will speed
> >>> delivery):
> >>> Strategic Business Systems, Inc.
> >>> 3885 S. Decatur,  Suite 2010
> >>> Las Vegas, NV  89103
> >>>
> >>> Yes, a website IS under development w/credit card convenience.
> >>> Unfortunately, it's not yet functional. An update will advise when it
> >>> is.
> >>>
> >>> Delivery
> >>> Please allow three - four weeks for initial production and delivery.
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> 200q20v mailing list
> >>> 200q20v at audifans.com
> >>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/200q20v