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

[miteclgst]

I think you have the brackets on backwards, the bracket that connects to the bar itself is offset towards the front of the car, I could see if you had the brackets switched side to side how they would line up directly with that bolt. Switch sides and i bet you won't have to drill any holes.

 

[sting0004]

Yea, I looked at it again. I was gonna drill a hole, and realized even after I drilled a hole it still wouldnt work. Just switched the brackets and now everything is good. Thanks for helping though, I was a little "slow" today.

 

[Mike1992]

Dam Dude IM Sorry

 

[Toshiro]

Heh, same thing happened when I was installing my bars. I wish they had come with instructions, it took me a long time to figure out some of the threads were left-handed.

 

[Defiant]

(you have to be smarter than the bar before you can put it in)

 

[EclpzLvr97]

I have ebay front/rear strut bars too.

This dipshit I knew before was with me when putting them in and I noticed the front bar seemed to be backwards (ie. the slight hump of the bar shoulda been on the right, but he was putting on the left side). I was like "I think the bar goes the other way around" and he's like "no no I know what I'm doing."

Yeah, well, once the thing was all tightened in, I close the hood and it's not closing properly and the left side even popped up slightly. I was like W-T-F....He doesn't know *shit*.

Just a little strut bar story to share.

 

[Toshiro]

(you have to be smarter than the bar before you can put it in)

But there were two of them and only one of me, that's hardly fair.

 

[sting0004]

I worded my reply wrong. I didnt actually drill a hole in the bracket, I was going to, but realized I had it in backwards before I did. And to Defiant: I am smart, book smart.... Just no common sense. Oh well, no one is perfect. -Matt

 

[Mike1992]

awesome now I dont feel bad

 

[saw22]

Does anyone know if it makes a difference how a front strut bar is rotated when its installed? The reason I ask is because when I installed mine on my 1G AWD the other day, if I had it rotated like it should be (high-part up), it would touch my hood when it was closed. So, I rotated it clockwise about 60 degrees and it fit in okay.

I didnt feel much of a difference in handling or anything, thats what got me wondering if it matters.

Any feedback would be great! Thanks!

 

[lokmeup]

No.. It doesn't matter. So long as the bar has tenson on it.

 

[Talonman]

yeah I got mine swiveled back to avoid hitting hood.

 

[saw22]

Great! Thanks a lot for your feedback!

 

[tsunari]

I've seen quite a few designs when it comes to strut tower bars & lower tie bars, but does anyone know if this brand is any good as far as performance is concerned? I know the tubular bars are pretty damned stiff, but I kind of wonder if these 'H-beam / I-beam' bars would be as effective with the lateral loads from cornering of if they would just bend.

Anyone out there have any experience with these? Megan racing is putting them out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7930057788&category=33591
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7930057788&category=33591

 

[14.5 drift]

there fine. But i don't think they are any better than the cheaper oval ones


I have a set of the oval ones and they are pretty solid, they helped pretty good too

 

[Defiant]

Cheapest is as good as you need. Prettier costs more, but does the same thing.

 

[91boost]

Those are the bars I was thinking of ordering.....but over $33.95 for shipping?? :thumbdown

 

[tsunari]

Well here's another question in addition to the main topic of this thread. . . how do you guys install your bars? I'm assuming the ends are threaded so:

Do you:

+ put everything in place and tighten the lock nuts at the end of the bar?
+ put everything in place and twist the bar so it 'pushes' the tops of the strut towers away from each other? Then lock the nuts at the end.
+ put everything in place and twist the bar so it 'pulls' the tops of the strut towers toward each other? Then lock the nuts at the end.

 

[jtmcinder]

+ put everything in place and twist the bar so it 'pulls' the tops of the strut towers toward each other? Then lock the nuts at the end.

Because the purpose of these things is to keep the upper half of the suspension from being stretched outwards in a corner, since that would cost you camber, inter alia.

- Jtoby

 

[tsunari]

Because the purpose of these things is to keep the upper half of the suspension from being stretched outwards in a corner, since that would cost you camber, inter alia.

- Jtoby

sweet - I don't feel like a complete moron then

Reason I asked this question is I just came back from a 2-day AutoX event and this very question came up in a discussion between heats. I personally put them on and twisted the bar to "pull" the tops of the towers together (also did the same with the lower rear tie-bar), but there were a few others in the crowd that did the opposite -- put them on and twisted the bar to "push" the tops of the towers away from each other . . . so I thought I would throw it out to you suspension gurus and see what came back

I'm guessing it wouldn't really matter whether the vehicle was FWD/RWD/AWD then eh?

 

[jtmcinder]

I personally put them on and twisted the bar to "pull" the tops of the towers together (also did the same with the lower rear tie-bar)...

Bad news. The lower bar is meant to keep the lower half of the suspension from bending inwards (again, because this would cost you camber), so it should be under compression, pushing outwards.

I will not type in what this implies under your own labeling system.

- Jtoby

 

[tsunari]

Bad news. The lower bar is meant to keep the lower half of the suspension from bending inwards (again, because this would cost you camber), so it should be under compression, pushing outwards.

I will not type in what this implies under your own labeling system.

- Jtoby

mmmmm- interesting, but it makes sense now that you pointed it out-- thanks

My 'labeling system' . . . your 'labeling system' . . . so long as everyone reading understands the knowledge I was just trying to be as unambiguous as possible . . .

 

[PhillyBlunt]

When it comes to strut bars, cheaper is better. All they have to do is brace the car. What they have to do is just brace. Not be expensive. I found cheap ones at cox import.com. Good service ask for Phillip!

 

[tsunari]

Okay . . . I'll pose another question to all who are following this thread:

When installing the strut tower bars . . . does it REALLY make a noticeable difference to pre-load the bars?

 

[14.5 drift]

Very much so. Unfortunatly you can't preload the front bar due to the funky bump, or head, wich ever you choose to blaim..........