Proper intallation and function of strut tower bars [Merged 1-7]

[Deadly BlaZe]

If you're asking if the logic behind these bars has changed, such that knowing what they are designed to do no longer says install them with the car on the ground, then the answer is "no, the logic is still what it was when this question was asked last time."

- J "needs more coffee" toby

Can you translate all that in English please ? Are you saying that it should be installed while the car is raised?

 

[jimh]

Can you translate all that in English please ? Are you saying that it should be installed while the car is raised?

From the top of this page:

You are supposed to install upper bars with the car on the ground because you want them to be under tension (if possible). The purpose of upper bars is to keep the upper half of the outside-wheel's suspension from pulling outwards in a corner, so the more preload tension the better.

- Jtoby

 

[JackalUO]

SO i'm having some trouble installing my megan racing strut bar. The instructions say to unscrew the bolts however i'm having a hard time doing this. Do I need to jack the front of the car up to loosen the nuts? Here are some photos.

 

[IslandTSI]

What are you using to try and break them loose? Theres locktite on there and you are going to need a breaker bar or a pipe to put over your socket to break em loose

 

[sleepr7]

No, you don't need to jack the car up.

 

[Zmann42087]

Get a breaker bar.

 

[mans1ay3r]

I had a hard time getting mine off too, talked to a friend that works in the tool department at Lowes. He got me a can of PB Blaster.. I sprayed it on the nuts.. let it soak in and penetrate for an hour, came back and I was able to get them off easily with a ratchet. A can of the stuff is under $5 bucks too and I didnt even use too much. Will come in handy when installing exhaust later this week! It helps stop rust and corrosion as well.

 

[TuRBoTaLooN]

I had a hard time getting mine off too, talked to a friend that works in the tool department at Lowes. He got me a can of PB Blaster.. I sprayed it on the nuts.. let it soak in and penetrate for an hour, came back and I was able to get them off easily with a ratchet. A can of the stuff is under $5 bucks too and I didnt even use too much. Will come in handy when installing exhaust later this week! It helps stop rust and corrosion as well.

YES! PB Blaster is a necessary tool when it comes to working on a DSM. That's the only way to get any exhaust piece off your car. It should DEFINATELY help you get those strut bolts off.

 

[1g_tsi_awd]

+1 for breaker bar.

 

[thekellbeast]

Breaker bar and PB blaster are the only way to work on a DSM.

 

[absolute_DSM]

Air tools are the best investment I made for working under the car.

 

[thekellbeast]

They're good, but not essential. Plus this is in the engine compartment.

 

[rich3389]

I just ordered a front and rear adjustable strut bar, when I put them in, do I adjust them to push out or pull inwards?
If i recall correctly the front gets pushed put and the back gets pulled in?

 

[sbiggi]

Out a little to preload the chassis.

 

[Drift_SM]

Out a little to preload the chassis.

Couldn't you preload it by pulling it in also?

 

[kawboy]

I was always told they need to be pulled in

 

[rich3389]

I have been doing more research, I am leaning toward the theory that pulling in would be the best solution. Pushing out would cause more positive camber around sharp corners and pulling in would keep it more negative, which would be more desirable.

 

[Drift_SM]

Sounds valid to me.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I have been doing more research, I am leaning toward the theory that pulling in would be the best solution. Pushing out would cause more positive camber around sharp corners and pulling in would keep it more negative, which would be more desirable.

Correct. Have the bar put tension on the towers.

 

[DSM LoVeR 96]

I did mine pulling in. Plus my bars are not as flexible that way as well so it makes sense. It holds everything together better pulling in.

 

[Defiant]

First thing is that strut bars don't really matter. You're not generating enough grip with street tires to move anything. Yes, I know, they worked a treat on your car. Wax will make the car faster and handle better, too.

As for the push-pull poser, the original story was that you set them up to pull. Later, it was proposed that you jack up the front end so that the suspension hangs as much as possible, then put the bar in to "push". Trouble is that few bars are straight to begin with, so that it doesn't really matter. Either way, tension or compression, will be trying to either straighten or bend the bar, respectively.

The most important thing about a strut bar is to make sure the positive battery terminal can't short against it.

 

[talontsiboy24]

I ordered a megan racing front strut bar for my 97 gsx and was wondering does the car need to be on perfect flat ground?

does it matter if the car is goin downhill or uphill when putting it on or does it have to be straight?

do i install the circles first then the bar or it dont matter?

 

[Bud92gsx]

Unbolt the 3 bolts each on top of your struts..Attatch the plates, then add bar, adjust length..

As long as your not off roading where one wheel is 2 feet of the ground you should be fine..Just make the wheels on the ground when you add the strut tower bar..Good luck..!

 

[talontsiboy24]

Unbolt the 3 bolts each on top of your struts..Attatch the plates, then add bar, adjust length..

As long as your not off roading where one wheel is 2 feet of the ground you should be fine..Just make the wheels on the ground when you add the strut tower bar..Good luck..!

ok but should i tighten down the strut bar bolts first or the plates?

 

[95GreenGSX]

If yours is taken apart you should tighten down the plates, then the bar should be adjustable.