guys...rear strut bar is a waste of money

[coney2]

anyone that has taken the rear hatch area apart in their DSM knows that what i am saying is true.......because you will find when you do that from shock tower to shock tower there is already a brace built into the floorboard.....hence the rear is already rigid....the front could use one but if you are looking for the best setup to make it stiffer.....look to upgrade your anti-roll bar.

 

[sunflashx]

It must do something because it eliminated some of the squeaking coming from my rear hatch area.

 

[steve]

It sure made a difference for me. No more hatch thumping even on rough pavement. I think is was worth the $89 RRE wanted for it.

Steve

 

[tjh-dsm]

What data says a rear strut bar is worthless?

Hmm, none.

 

[coney2]

UH.....just because the strut bar stopped a noise or a rattle doesn't mean it added strength to your vehicle's chassis.....which in fact is what you would hope to gain from having one, it may have "shored up" an already loose frame, but if you are looking for rear end stability and stiffer turning get a stabilizer bar instead.

 

[tjh-dsm]

Whaddya want for $20!? It's obviously not as good as a stabilizer bar, but it does have an effect on handling.

 

[McGruffAWD]

Originally posted by coney2
UH.....just because the strut bar stopped a noise or a rattle doesn't mean it added strength to your vehicle's chassis.....which in fact is what you would hope to gain from having one, it may have "shored up" an already loose frame, but if you are looking for rear end stability and stiffer turning get a stabilizer bar instead.

UMM last time i checked a strut bar was suposed to keep the towers from flexing...thus giving you more traction on the road..thus giving you better handleing..When did you start giving a #@%#@%#@%#@% about rattling and hatch stablity? Right..

 

[1LE]

I've got a cage that goes back there and would still add the rear strut tower brace if it didn't block my access to tires. IMHO it's worthwhile.

 

[RamenPride]

Originally posted by coney2
anyone that has taken the rear hatch area apart in their DSM knows that what i am saying is true.......because you will find when you do that from shock tower to shock tower there is already a brace built into the floorboard.....

it may be built into the floor board, but it doesn't tie the TOP of the strut towers together

 

[95_GST_AL]

it may be built into the floor board, but it doesn't tie the TOP of the strut towers together

i agree..when you install the strutbar, it is supporting in two different places..at the top and the bottom. i put on on the front and rear of my gs and there is a 270degree turn on the exit to my work. i could only go 35mph before the strut bars were installed. the turn is pretty tight. well after i installed the strut bars, i could take the exit at 50mph with ease. people that ride my a$$ in that turn get left behind once i get into it. they do make a difference for just a couple of $25 parts. IMO

 

[ricktsu]

strut bars are not meant for chassis rigidity as McgruffAWD already stated, it is there to prevent strut deflections. the floor board unit is for the body of the car, and has nothing to do with how the struts handle road imperfections.
coney2, if you want chassis rigidity,, why dont you seam and bead weld every area on your car.