Strut Bar Effectiveness

[Laser57]

Hey guys, I was thinknig about front strut bars and was wondering if you can actually notice a difference. I was thinknig that it shouldn't be that noticeable but when i was changing the oil in my dad's 08 Sable, I saw that it had one from the factory. So is it worthwhile?

[roksoc]

I have both a front and rear and I would say that they are cheap enough that even if there isn't a huge improvement they are still worth having. If you want some better handling get some sway bars and springs with KYB GR-2's

[AaronGTR]

I definitely noticed a difference when I added mine, before I did the eibachs. Keep in mind they won't have much affect on actual body lean and such. They do brace up the suspension though so when it is loaded up, such as going around a freeway on/off ramp, and you go over bumps you can feel the suspension reacting more firmly. You notice a difference in steering response too. Definitely worth it I think.

[02andahalfgt]

I did front and rear strut tower braces and sway bars on mine and definitely noticed an improvement in ride and handling.

[PhantomLover007]

Ditto, even though I have a cheap F&R set off E-Bay.

[westerndragon]

the only super handling issue i wish could be fixed is the huge front-end dip when slowing but somethings just canot be changed

[Laser57]

Ok, my next question is would I be able to make a set, or are they something I definatly need to buy? It doesn't look like there is anything special, just some fabrication and welding, which shouldn't be a problem for me.

[AaronGTR]

Oh, you could definitely make a set if you have a welder and some good cutting tools. I've toyed with the idea of making a set myself. I wanted something a bit stiffer than the ones I have, and maybe with multiple attachment points.

[Laser57]

Ok, I'm gonna do it then. Thanks guys.

[Laser57]

I got the brace built finally. I only made one for the front (so far) because the back looks like it would be a pain to measure/alingn. For the front one I made brackets, put them where they need to go on the car, tack welded the bar on quick so it was where it needed to be, took it off and welded it the rest of the way. I'm not done painting it yet but when I am i will post pics.

[burgett2103]

I actually noticed a big difference. Handling felt more sturdy and car doesn't lean as much while turning at higher speeds. It felt pretty solid.

[AaronGTR]

^um, strut tower braces will not do anything to affect how much the car leans in corners. You need stiffer springs or sway bars for that.

[Laser57]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

^um, strut tower braces will not do anything to affect how much the car leans in corners. You need stiffer springs or sway bars for that.

I think I'm gonna go to NAPA soon and get a set of pig-knuckes to stiffen my springs up a little bit more as a cheap way to stiffen the springs.

[Pauljp]

Originally Posted by Laser57

I got the brace built finally. I only made one for the front (so far) because the back looks like it would be a pain to measure/alingn. For the front one I made brackets, put them where they need to go on the car, tack welded the bar on quick so it was where it needed to be, took it off and welded it the rest of the way. I'm not done painting it yet but when I am i will post pics.

I am very interested in building my own STB's as well.
I have seen/read of various models:
- a simple one bar with a single hole at each end to attach to the tower.
- two identical bars as above, attached at the front and back of the tower and a length of metal plate in the middle to keep the bars ridged.

Which way did you go?
Did you make the brackets to have three holes at each end?
Did you keep the bar straight, or bend it into a pattern?
Did you use a solid or hollow bar?
What diameter?

I know you said that you will post pictures when it is complete, but I am anxious to start my own.

Thanks.

[Laser57]

Originally Posted by Pauljp

I am very interested in building my own STB's as well.
I have seen/read of various models:
- a simple one bar with a single hole at each end to attach to the tower.
- two identical bars as above, attached at the front and back of the tower and a length of metal plate in the middle to keep the bars ridged.

Which way did you go?
Did you make the brackets to have three holes at each end?
Did you keep the bar straight, or bend it into a pattern?
Did you use a solid or hollow bar?
What diameter?

I know you said that you will post pictures when it is complete, but I am anxious to start my own.

Thanks.

I did the one bar setup. I saw that on the ones you can buy the mounts are raised higher than the bottom of the mount, but I did not want to worry about hood clearance being an issue so I welded the bar flat to my brackets so if laying on a table it is only about an inch high. I made it to only use two holes becuse the mill I was using is really worn out and jumps arround, or I would of milled a hole to accomidate all three holes, but I think two is enough. I did my bar straight and I had no problem with it getting in the way of stuff. When posisitioning it tho you need to remember the motor flexes at WOT and the alternator gets closer to the firewall. The alternator should be your only problem but on mine I have my underglow junction block right in the way so I had to work arrround it. I used solid 3/4" round-stock to build it. I was thinking about using something bigger and putting a left handed thread in one end and a right handed thread in the other, putting bolts in them and welding the bolts to the mounts abd drilling a couple of small holes periodically across the bars at different distances that way I could use a piece of round stock to twist the bar and preload the suspention, but I decided not too because I don't plan on rally racing the car or anything like that. I should have pictures of it by wednesday-ish.

[Pauljp]

I notice that the only place to put a STB is behind the alt, almost against the firewall.
Wouldn't the firewall itself act as an STB?
Or should we be placing the bar in front of the alt.
Just asking.

[Laser57]

Originally Posted by Pauljp

I notice that the only place to put a STB is behind the alt, almost against the firewall.
Wouldn't the firewall itself act as an STB?
Or should we be placing the bar in front of the alt.
Just asking.

I kind of thought the same thing, but I suspose the towers could flex in real easiely there is so much thin metal inbetween the towers and the firewall that it wouldn't stress anything too bad. Hopefully somebody like Aaron will read this and can give you a better answer than me. I don't know if you would be able to get one on the other side of the alternator, the hood gets really close the furter frontward you move. I got mine about an inch behind the alternator so at WOT it doesn't hit.

[Pauljp]

Can you take pictures of the entire bar and a closeup of the brackets?
Thanks

[Laser57]

Yea i will. It might be thursday because some dumb f***** painted something right next to it after i finished painting it instead of moving it when it was already dry so got to do it again because of the hot pink overspray.

[PhantomLover007]

. At least it'll look unique...