[DIY] strut bar

**redefine** · 27-07-2009 11:12 PM

i took a good look at it the other day whilst installing my sub, hasnt bent so far. still in, still going strong. though i do have 2 bars in across each of the bolts in the rear struts now. not sure how the single bar would hold up, though it should be fine aswell. and probably good to note that this is with no sway bar, not sure if that'll make a difference or not. i wanna install one sometime soon, so i'll see.

**55EXX** · 29-07-2009 08:11 PM

i bought a cheap ebay one didn't like the bracket as it was to thin and weak. i made up a 5mm plate that bolted to the strut tower and the ebay bar in a almost boomerang shape and the difference was night and day. this is with 22mm rsb and asr. it create a straight line betwwen the 2 towers which i think is the most important thing

**joyride** · 29-07-2009 08:23 PM

do you have a pic of the plate you made?

**CB7_OWNER** · 29-07-2009 10:20 PM

Ghetto!

**J_Phongsavan** · 30-07-2009 07:06 PM

the only branded strut will be a front strut bar for me, but im gonna try this DIY lol..

**55EXX** · 30-07-2009 09:32 PM

quick details of my sussy setup and the reason why i think it made such a vast difference. car is a eg5 with; pedders low springs, kyb adjustable shocks, stock 21mm front sway, 22mm whiteline on stiffest setting on rear, asr brace, ebay front strut brace, cabin floor brace, rear camber kit (-1 degree), front castor kit with upper control arm swap (5+ degrees castor) on 215/45/15 toyos

k this is going to sound weird but the once driving the immediate impression i got from installing the rear strut brace was it made the car UNDERSTEER MORE!. It honestly felt like i had a few passengers in the rear to put more weight over the back wheels and make them grip more and sit flatter but more on that later.

making the plate was easy. made a mock up with card board then got a mate to make one with 5mm plate steel. cut up the plastic mounted it and easy done.

i instantly noticed when backing out of my driveway my car felt more rigid backing of my driveway which before would make my car creak. it instead followed the gutter drop off more teateringly. driving away i noticed quick jabs at the steering wheel had less nose dive and a even stronger pull back to centre like a go kart.

turn in was a lot better but mid corner where i could usually pull the wheel harder and the back step out, it understeered more just like i had people in the rear to hold it flatter and grip more. the rear wheel grip had increased not front wheel grip decrease. to counter this i bumped up the stiffness of my rear shocks and problem resolved. the arse is very alive now almost feeling like it is lifting off the ground during hard corners.

my guess. the rear must have twisted in a way that unweighted the inside rear wheel more when i had no rear brace. as the rest of the car is well enough braced the rear was the only place where substantial bracing was needed and flex could happen (and being a hatch where it is most needed). before the brace, the top of the towers could have moved closer together, both twisting the rear and lifting/unweighting the inside rear wheel, hence oversteer. now it is more alive in the fact that it reacts from every input. that little mid corner jab now brings alive that oversteer but alot more predictable and solid. weight shifts is also alot quicker and dramatic. the mid corner brake touch or pedal off the accel feels like it gets the rear tyre air born with matching oversteer.

the fact i needed to bump up my shocks stiffness makes me think that i increased the effectiveness of my rear sussy as now more emphasis is on making the suspension work harder and not the chassis.

my long winded review and effect on my suspension setup this brace had. i over analyze everything. thats what i do.

**trism** · 31-07-2009 01:39 AM

mad props, good post

**redefine** · 31-07-2009 03:05 PM

fkn awesome post dude.

next on the agenda is doing it for the front. a flat bar strait across the shocks is no good as it hits the engine (top of the throttle body iirc). any suggestions on raising it a little. i dont wanna put bends in the strut, as that weakens it. i was thinking of using a bracket to raise the point where the bar is mounted, but i wanna make that as rigid as possible. i'll come back with some ideas later.

i've got some steel at home that i could use to raise it. looks like 7-8mm l brackets. its not ideal cause i cant get it around to both bolts, but it should do.

pics of it

FOAM FTMFW :P i didnt really worry about looks, i jsut wanted it to stop bouncing around, and the foam was already at home, and does that well :P

**55EXX** · 31-07-2009 08:34 PM

who look in you boot anyway. i've still got my space saver spare jack etc in there. made the box myself to fit perfectly on top like it does. and is a perfect 30L for my planned idq 12"