Strut Bars [Merged]

[Groomz]

www.procarparts.com

Huge difference on a Miata. Get sway bars though, you will be driving a new car after you install a set. My Miata had these little toothpick sway bars, but after I added a 1.25 inch diameter hollow front sway bar, I could corner faster than Affleck running from J-Lo. Peace.

 

[marksae]

Damn, I was just looking at the e-bay strut tower bars and they're so damn cheap! I got ripped of and purchased my set through Buschur Racing. I can't believe I paid $80 for my e-bay quality crap. The rear bar I have is totally useless. It looks like this:
http://store5.yimg.com/I/machv_1764_15732009

Don't get that one.

 

[Module Unknown]

I'm with him ^^^. Don't get a bar that looks like the one in that pic. I have a similar one as well. Garbage. It's worthless. The mounting brackets flex like a mutha******. I had to put the rear bar on, and keep twisting it to adjust the bolts on the end so they were moving out of the bar and pushing the flimsy brackets outwards up against the sides of the trunk area where it hangs out and over (i don't know if that made any sense at all). Not like it made it work any better either, but at least it felt more solid. If I were to do it again, and I probably will at some point I would get some nice sturdy non adjustable bars where you don't have anything thing that could be flimsy or possibly flex other than maybe the bar (which would hopefully never happen). Mine were a waste of money. Wasn't too much though. ...ebay ugh. I'ne not had much luck with ebay either. My palm I got off ebay to use as my logger broke after a couple uses.

Oh, and I can't tell a difference with them on. Well when they were on my RS I thought I noticed a small difference, but on my GST. Nothing...

 

[Wildflyer897]

if i get the front and the back strut bars for my 95 rs n/t do i need to jack the car up to get all pressure off the wheels to put it on? any directions would be great thx...

 

[IMMORTALSPYDER]

Just unscrew the bolts, set it on, and retighten the bolts.

 

[jtmcinder]

If anything, install STBs with the car on the ground. The purpose of these things is to keep the upper ends of the outside suspension bits from moving outward in a corner, because this costs you camber. So, the best way to think about STBs is in terms of them holding the tops of the suspension together. So, the best way to install them is with the car's weight on the wheels, since this has a tendency to bend the top ends a tiny bit towards each other.

- Jtoby

 

[Wildflyer897]

sounds logical to me.. thank you..

 

[Mattitude v1]

I'm thinking about buying front and rear strut bars for 2G N/T. Are there benefits of buying one over the other instead of having 2? I read that it's better to have just a rear... I want great handling/turning capabilities. Also could use a recommendation on what strut bars to buy. Nothing too expensive, but no eBay material. Some say cheaper the better, some say spend $100 on Road Race Engineering bar.

Also want to know what to look for when buying a bar. Should it be as straight as possible with no bends? I was lookin at this Ractive front bar http://www.cardomain.com/item/RACMIT051BA?ref=yhps
not too straight, but is that necessary so it doesnt interfere with the hoses? Help me out Tuners!

 

[Mike1992]

A strut bar is a strut bar theres no performance difference in an ebay special or a $200 brand name set. Go with the ebay specials and spend the extra $$$ elsewhere

 

[Defiant]

I'm thinking about buying front and rear strut bars for 2G N/T. Are there benefits of buying one over the other instead of having 2? I read that it's better to have just a rear... I want great handling/turning capabilities.

I suspect you're mixing up strut bars and sway (anti-roll) bars.

For strut tower bracing bars, I too am a proponent of the cheap eBay bars. Others think they matter.

Search it.

 

[miamieclipse]

you can pick up a front & rear strut bar off ebay for $40 shipped. And yes you are confusing strut bars w/ anti-roll. YOu should get a anti-roll bar in the back, because we are front wheel drive.

PS this should be in the handling section. You would have gotten alot more informative responses (especially by jtmcinder (sp?, sorry if misspelled)). Also you will want to upgrade your springs, and your shocks/struts.

Mike

 

[Mattitude v1]

I've been doin research and don't want a bar that requires cutting into the plastic shock cover in the rear. I prefer to remove it entirely. I'm a "show" person and want something that looks decent. I'll probably go with the Ractive front ($35 plus shipping) and can someone recommend me a rear bar that can be installed without the plastic shock cover being cut into?

 

[Mattitude v1]

I'm buying front and rear strut bars for 2G N/T. Is it better to have 2 or just 1? Also could use a recommendation on what strut bars to buy. Nothing too expensive. I don't want a rear bar that requires cutting into the plastic shock cover. I prefer to remove it entirely. I need a recommendation for a rear bar that can be installed without the plastic shock cover being cut into. I'll probably go with the Ractive front ($35 plus shipping).

What makes one strut bar better than another? Should it be straight with no bends and require 1 screw instead of 3...? There's gotta be a difference between a $100 bar and a $10 bar on eBay, although many say there isn't. Thanks in advance.

 

[1LE]

Get both. The less bends, pivot points, and "adjustments" the better. I like the RRE bars, but they may require cutting in the back.

 

[Seattle GST]

the MachV bars are cheap and really strong for their cost. . . I am impressed at them on my friends 95 GSX.

www.MachV.com

 

[Defiant]

can someone recommend me a rear bar that can be installed without the plastic shock cover being cut into?

Sadly, no one has developed one that comingles its molecules with that of the cover.

And, do not crosspost.

 

[CowPimp]

Sadly, no one has developed one that comingles its molecules with that of the cover.

And, do not crosspost.

Haha, good response. I say get both, but I have an AWD so take my experience for what it's worth. Also, cheapo bars are probably fine. If you have money to burn, then spend it elsewhere on the car. Good swaybars make a world of difference.

 

[ProjectTalon130]

I agree with the experts advise as well....the first thing i did to my car when i got it was upgrade the suspension, granted, my Talons a 97 and for the most part it was still in perfect working oder minus the rust but when i switched it i really didn't notice a difference...the wheels and tires were the key to the whole package down the road...i have both sway bars, bigger RM DSM Sway bars front and rear, KYB AGX all around and Pro Kit Springs along with all new bump stops and dust covers etc and the car handles amazingly!!! on the highway i am even too nervous to test its full ability..i actually oversteer the car b/c i'm afraid its gonna drift out on me but instead i find myself hugging the inside rumble strip.........

 

[spooner_dee]

I just bought front and rear strut tower bars off ebay, put them on my car, and the handling has DRAMATICLY improved. they havent failed in anyway no bending no warping nothing just tight turns all the way.

 

[9D9 MITSU RS]

There is a bar that does not require cutting of the strut covers. I'm not sure where to get it. I have seen it only a few times before. It has rectangular mounting points and they go under the cover, then attach to the tower. It may have been filed down for clearance issues, but it looked nice. Just cut them as close as possible with a dremel or even a drill if you are good.

 

[speedracer91]

hey i'm not quite sure where to post this... i just got a strut bar off ebay and it fits on the strut towers awesome , but its too high for the hood to close...i tried everything it still doesn't fit. am i doing something wrong? also is this in the wrong forum? thanks

 

[bigemrich]

not to be off topic, but which ones did you buy? I may be buying some soon, and I don't want to run into this problem.

--Kyle

 

[ADrewzki]

You put it on backwards. Turn it around and try it again.

 

[speedracer91]

i bought it from raceoptions...i don't really remember..sorry

 

[speedracer91]

heh yep you were right i did have it in wrong...thanks ADrewzki