strut bar questions?

[redwagon]

I've had Hotchkis sway bars installed on my RT for a year now and they really improved the handling, but I want to tighten it up a little more without going the full suspension route. Well, my question is, will adding a strut tower support bar tight it up even more and do I have to worry about putting stress on other body parts?

[GotMe-N-R/T]

...I also would like to know if this is a good mod.

[Super T]

Nobody has any kind of numbers to back anything up. Based on engineering principles, I'd be inclined to say it doesn't do a whole lot. Waiting for someone to prove me wrong. Lots of people say they feel a difference... but that makes me ask, "Is your @$$ calibrated?" Lots of people "feel" differences with intakes that we've proven not to increase power too...

[esv]

I understand and usually agree with Super T, but I do have the strut bar, I have a set of bad Rail Road tracks near my house on a road that is 65mph, and yes you can slow down, but unless you want to do 20 in a 65 it’s not going to help. Back to my point, before the strut tower brace I would get a lot of deflection in the steering wheel while crossing the tracks, the car would almost take off in its own direction. I guess I would account this to the towers being rattled so badly. Now with the Strut Tower brace it has improved this condition incredibly. Every time I cross these track I still wait for something to happen, but there is nothing.

I just wish I had something for the rear end, because I have a few On and Off ramps that have “speed bump” like ruts that cause a similar condition on the rear end.

I agree this is my un-calibrated butt, the RR crossing was dangerous in my mind, and now is carefree. I don’t know if this alters your opinion since your description was different but I installed this bar for the reason you are.

I have an '05 Magnum RT with SRT take struts, shocks, springs, Hotchkis sways and the strut tower brace.

Good luck!

[Mr. Magnum Man]

I have noticed a few changes since I put the strut bar on. Less of the earlier mentioned deflection in the worst of the unavoidable bumps on my way to work. Also noticed that on the right turn entrance ramps I needed less steering input. I can't confirm but it does seem to have a bit less body roll also.

[SRT8U]

I will have to agree w Mr Mag and esv..tigher feel, muich less deflection and bump steer, and overall more responsive steering feel. If I knew a way to measure this effectively I would do it.

[redwagon]

Thanks for the info. I probably will just go ahead and put one on and see if I feel a difference. Even if I don't--at least they look cool.

[Samoan Tsunami]

I will have to agree w Mr Mag and esv..tigher feel, muich less deflection and bump steer, and overall more responsive steering feel. If I knew a way to measure this effectively I would do it.

agreed. every car i;ve owned since 1996 (three total now) has had a strut brace installed. it basiaclly makes the handling more consistent as SRT8U has stated.

its bracing on a car doesnt make a huge change, however it makes all the rest of the mods work precisely, and less slop.

strut braces are probably the STAPLE basic mod of the suspension world no matter what car you install one to.

its like an intake to the engine. almost anyone can install one, it makes a small decent difference, but nothing outrageous.


the only legitament places thing like this will show up on are skidpads. on areas where small divets in the ground may cause a bit more bumpsteer, this is like the clearasil to acne...clears it up a bit.