do strut bars really work? i recently got one and just want to know. i notice that the bar with my d2 coilovers. the ride suddenly got stiffer. is it just me or there is hardly chassis flex now? so do strut bar stiffen up the ride?


-------tom

 

a strut bar if will deff make the ride stiffer

 

I have the Hotchkis. It didn't seem to really feel any stiffer. The rear sway bar is another story, I could feel the difference immediately. The rear sway really works, the front is whatever.

 

I'm installing a TRD strut brace on my toaster this weekend and then I'll be autocrossing it on Sunday. I'll let you know how much difference it made compared to last months event without it installed.

 

All mine did was make it look pretty under the hood. There's not going to be much flex when the strut towers are part of the firewall

 

This exact same question was a topic not more than 3 days ago. I summation of all the posts on there....front strut bars make a very slight difference in stiffness of the front body (not necessarily noticable and a basically imperceptable difference in handling, BUT, they LOOK COOL!!!

 

ma bad sorry if i posted up the same thread, but i did search and it didn't give me the results i wanted. plus i had to go sleep already. my strut bar isn't the brand name ones that cost a hundred buck. i got it off of ebay brand new for 17 bucks with shipping makes 26. it's just a sliver straight bar with two adjustable brackets with threading at the ends. but it works. i think? how much does the rear sway bar help?


------tom

 

The rear sway bar will help immensly, it's one mod you'll definitely feel

 

^ Yup... get a Progress, TRD or Whiteline. A lot of people think the Hotchkiss isn't thick enough. I have a Progress and love it.

 

Yup sway bars make a big difference, especially rear bars.

 

My progress sway bar is easily the best mod I've performed on my xB. Understeer is very much reduced, as is body roll. If you want improved handling, it's the place to start. The TRD bar is near identical, and the whiteline more effective according to some.... harder to find, as well. Both the progress and trd are an easy install- I have no experience with the Whiteline, so I can't say...

Front strut bar? I have one, it's pretty... you'd have to be pounding your box very hard to notice any difference at all... very hard, indeed.

 

also replace your end link bushings with poly bushings

 

So, how about this combo?

DC Sport strut tower bar
Hotchkis front and rear sway bar set
KSport lowering springs

What will she do?

 

I can speak only for the Hotchkis sway bar set. It is go cart at a 2 inch drop with these sways I do have a strut bar also but it is also Hotchkis, not the DC one (tho I doubt either makes much difference). I like the Hotchkis sways.

Front sway bar install is a pain in the rear. It really isn't that hard but bolt access sucks. I would not try to do it without a lift and a jack or stand suitable for supporting engines an transmissions etc while doing maintenance (these are tall screw type jacks that mechanics might use to support the side of an engine while they change an engine mount). The angles you need to reach into and the way the sway bar goes up into the car, and the fact that you have to loosten and pull down the main engine cradle crossmember, make this VERY impractical to do on jack stands on a garage floor.

 

Wait. You're saying that the bars give a 2" drop? Pardon if I'm reading it wrong. It's just after 5 am for me.

And, the only thing that is getting installed at the house is the DC and some Redline hood dampers. The lowering springs (which should be 2" front and 1.75" rear) and the sway bars will be installed at our local Gateway. My stepdad just doesn't have the equipment for this install.

 

^^^I think Ted is trying to say that when you use lowering springs that drop your vehicle 2", the ride is comparable to that of a go cart. The sway bars themselves do not lower the ride height, just stiffen the handling.

 

The combination of drop and these sways is stellar The sways alone would make a big difference. (the sway bars make no suspension height change)

 

Ya know, can't really say I've ever driven a go-kart...

I'm worried about Vix. I think she'll look completely hot. I'm just terrified I'll mess her up somehow. KSport swears that these springs won't interfere with the tire size (205/50ZR16) so here's to hoping. Vix missed third place by 2 points at her latest show, namely because she doesn't have a stereo or any suspension work. Hoping to solve at least one of those problems

 

Go carts handle very flat. They have nearly no body roll. When the xB has these sway bars installed the initial steering turn in is instant and body roll is much reduced from stock. Mine felt twitchy till I got used it.

 

I highly recommend the rear sway bar! I have the TRD and love it! worth the cost!.....Install is so simple..(easier with two people)