Really dumb noob question. What does a strut bar do?
 

And some additional add-on questions

1) It increase structural rigidity, especially sideways, right? So by installing it, is it possible that I can get rid of some of the sqeaks and creaks from the sunroof?

2) What are the possible locations for installing strut bars? I've seen them in the engine bays and in the rear cargo area?

3) How much do they cost and who makes the best strut bars (i.e. strongest bars with the least weight at a good price point)

4) How easy is it to install these things?

Thanks in advance guys!

1. No
2. They have front and rears.
2. about 100 bux give or take
4. They are easy to install

They dont really do much at all, they are mostly eye candy. Get a rear sway instead

One more thing, how about "lower tie bars"?

Basically I want to make my overall chassis much more rigid to eliminate any kind of chassis flex as much as possible.

What does a rear sway bar do?

I'm pretty sure that a strut bar would improve chassis rigidity at least a little since it's obviously going to take some tension/compression loading anytime the chassis flexes about the longitudinal axis of the car (say one side goes over a speed bump and the other stays on the road)

Still doesnt do anything, you feel it....SLIGHTLY when going at highspeeds and like changing lanes fast youll feel the body being a bit more stiff and not as wobbly. But other than that no big difference. You need alot more suspension to feel a big difference...coilovers, swaybars, rear/front strutbar, rollcage maybe! From what i know...nothing will get rid of the noise from the sunroof...

-Dan

wrong wrong and wrong... they add 5 whp because of the extra weight that they add in the front, forcing you wheels in the front down to the ground harder... all you need is a large "park bench" style spoiler to lift up the back and create more downforce... those 2 mods in conjuction will create at least 20WHP!!! don't you guys know ANYTHING!!!!

honestly....it a sercret goverment lie...the bar does nothing

it also decreases gas milage

:?

alright alright... my post lasted exactly 1 hour b4 i got a sign of dissatisfaction!!! haha

:rofl:

:yawn:

should this intellegent post be in suspension :)

locked/deleted

In general the reason to add one is similar to if you have 3 pieces of wood shaped like:

|_|

the strut tower bar goes to the top to connect the tops of the struts theoretically giving it more rigidity

How important that is is debatable since there are so many other components connected up and down the chassis.

What do they do? They balance the loads on the chassis when turning. They balance it, but i dont think they make the chassis stiffener-- i think they work more like a spring or swaybar.

Are they effective? Yes.

Case in point?

Many car manufacturers include them on the vehicle now from the factory, or some other kind of undercarriage bracing. Ex: 350Z top and bottom.

Happy with my STB. Made a noticable difference.

Well, if you live in Las Vegas, you would know it's where all the struts go to get drinks!

Seriously though, since they stiffen up the chassi, Ithink it would actually make the sunroof creak more under hard cornering. Unfortunatly, our front struts are so close to the firwall that the chassi at that point is pretty stiff to begin with, so they are not as effective on our car as on others.
The rears seam pretty good.
In any event, you will get more noticible stiffness from a matched set of front and rear sways then with strut bars.
But, like I said, when I stiffened up my front with the sways, I actaully got more creaks then before over uneven surfaces. Just crank the stereo!

go get sways instead

struts are cool and sways are deff cooler.

Final answer:

Yes, they will work. For $98 bucks it's not gonna hurt your wallet, and there are many other options like sways that will complement a good setup. Tires are the best for improving handling IMO, all suspension comes down to the rubber.