Strut Bar Effectiveness

. anything but hot pink.

[Kayaus]

I'm also looking to install front and back sway bars, but I don't have acess to a welder, nor the welding skill. Anyway, I see a number of people have them from KYB and Eibach, so just wondering, where did you get them from? KYB's website I can't find anything to do with sway bars and Eibachs doesn't look like it will fit.

Thanks.

[AaronGTR]

KYB makes struts for our car, and Eibach makes springs.... neither one makes sway bars.

There was only one company who ever made sway bars for us and we can't get them anymore. That was next level/speedbuilt. Don't know if they went out of business or just stopped making them for us because of lack of demand. PFYC carried them though and they've been out for a long time.

[Laser57]

Ok, I repainted it balck again and put in in the car. I acutaly did notice a big difference in the way the car handled. I will post pictures tonight if I can figure it out .

[Pauljp]

I bought my metal today.
I am going to use 5/8" solid round stock as opposed to 3/4", as it looked a bit too big for me.
I got some flat stock that I'm going to weld/shape/form into a couple of brackets that will connect to the two inside nuts of the strut tower.
The bar will be placed close to the firewall as possible so as not to get hit by the alt.
I think I will go with a blue theme for mine.
Black is not as noticeable and too many people are using red.
If I like the color, then I might paint my brake calipers the same.
I will keep you posted and I am anxious to see your pictures.

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by 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.

I like your style

[Laser57]

Thanks

[Laser57]

Ok, here's those pictures I promised, the engine bays kind of dirty, I bought cleaner for it just haven't got arround to actually doing it:

[DrFabulous]

I was hoping it was still pink. I am disappointed.

[PhantomLover007]

If it's pink, keep it awaaaaay fro Fabs. He likes to lick it...

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by PhantomLover007

If it's pink, keep it awaaaaay fro Fabs. He likes to like it...

[PhantomLover007]

Dammit. I meant lick it...

[AaronGTR]

Not bad. I think the plates could have been a little wider to give the bar something more to get welded too. That would make the whole thing stiffer and cut down the chance that a weld might crack. It should do the trick though.

[DrFabulous]

Originally Posted by PhantomLover007

Dammit. I meant lick it...

you would

[Pauljp]

Originally Posted by Laser57

Ok, here's those pictures I promised, the engine bays kind of dirty, I bought cleaner for it just haven't got arround to actually doing it:

Excellent job Laser...
That's pretty much what I had in mind.
I can't wait to get mine done.
I will keep you posted.
Thanks

[oldschoolguy]

I wish I could weld. I've tried it but the rods always stick.

[Pauljp]

Originally Posted by oldschoolguy

I wish I could weld. I've tried it but the rods always stick.

I had a stick welder for years and always had a hard time getting the arc to start.
Finally I gave up when I saw Canadian Tire had a Lincoln MIG welder on sale.
I bought it, but don't have the tanks yet, so I guess I'm not really Mig welding, but it's a lot easier and better that I've ever done with the stick.
I also went to Princess Auto and bought the auto-darkening welding mask for $55 and now I love welding.
Anyone can go out and buy a strut tower bar, but there is something special about designing and custom making your own parts for your car.
And you don't need a big fancy garage. I use a folding workmate bench along the side of my house or in my tiny shed in the back yard.

[Laser57]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Not bad. I think the plates could have been a little wider to give the bar something more to get welded too. That would make the whole thing stiffer and cut down the chance that a weld might crack. It should do the trick though.

I was worried about that but that was the widest stock I could get so I cranked the MIG to 6 and gorillia welded the crap out of it. I'm loving it so far.

[ltpats]

I haven't been on in a while, has anyone found a front one that will fit a 2004 3.4L because of the alternator?

[Pauljp]

Originally Posted by Laser57

I was worried about that but that was the widest stock I could get so I cranked the MIG to 6 and gorillia welded the crap out of it. I'm loving it so far.

I initially bought some 2" flat stock to make the brackets, but decided to go wider.
I did all the measurements today and drew up the pattern on the computer.
My new pattern came up to 5" wide using 1/4" flat stock.
I went to the metal store today to get some only to find out that they are closed on the week-ends. Rats.
I picked up a 5/8" rod earlier and I am going to weld it on the bottom of the brackets to make it look flatter from the top and then paint it blue.
I think blue will be my new theme color.
I was hoping to have it done this week-end, but the lack of metal prevents that.
I enjoy fabricating my own parts and never even thought about a strut tower brace until Laser mentioned that he was going to build one in the post above.
Then I thought, "Perfect, I'm going to do that too".
I will post pics when complete.