Strut Tower Bar question

[zoned]

Would there be more of a handling improvement in the corners if a rear sway bar was installed instead of a strut bar? I've an '05 Touring.

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by zoned

Would there be more of a handling improvement in the corners if a rear sway bar was installed instead of a strut bar? I've an '05 Touring.

'maybe'

Sway bar controls body roll, and would reduce the 'tippy as a 3-legged bar stool' feeling that describes some PTs in tight corners.

Strut brace reduces front chassis flex, improving how quickly tires take a set when entering a corner, and improving the precision of steering.

So for best results, use both. And better tires. And while you are under the car doing the sway bar, upgrade to polyurethane bushings.

And better shocks and struts.

And decide if you can get away with lower springs...

Before the bean counters at DC removed the rear sway bar, the strut brace was the obvious first thing to do to impove handling.

Now it is the second.
It is also the easiest and least expensive.

The only downside to the freedom designs brace I put in my 02TE was having to put a felt pad on the clutch resevoir to keep it from rubbing against the brace.

[Graveone]

Here's a website with the Freedom Design Tower for $79.16 and free shipping.
http://www.ptuning.com/html/Item-Des...c=PT%20Cruiser

The one on Revelenterprises website is the APC model. This one is made by Freedom Design.

[Sci-Fi]

quote:Originally posted by zoned

Would there be more of a handling improvement in the corners if a rear sway bar was installed instead of a strut bar? I've an '05 Touring.

In a word, yes. BUT instead of just adding the OEM rear sway bar, it would be better to buy an aftermarket matched F/R sway bar set plus the rear installation kit (you need to buy the installation kit for either). The OEM rear bar will cost about $194.27 plus another $90 for the installation kit, while a complete aftermarket anti sway bar set will run about $265.01 (for Eibach, the most popular choice at the moment) plus the cost of the rear installation kit. So you are only looking at a $70 difference and the handling will be far superior than just adding the OEM rear bar in. The ride quality will not be affected.

Intrax offers grease fittings/greasable bushings with their anti-sway bars (part #28.7.009), 25mm front/19mm rear diameter bars and are purple powder coated. Can visit my site, http://sci-fi.ptenthusiasts.net/photo6.html , and see the various available anti-sway bars and strut bars plus their respective part numbers for the PT.

Most people have both the strut bar and aftermarket anti-sway bars installed. The strut bar will help prevent or tie together the shock towers to control upper body flexing in the front end (better steering response and slightly better handling) and the anti-sway bars will control body roll/lean (better overall balance/handling).

The only concern about the strut bar is the installation. Some people over-tighten the nuts and/or do not tighten/torque the nuts in even and equal stages and end up breaking the stud(s) causing an expensive replacement of the top strut plate (some get lucky and can get a replacement stud or bolt in there w/o taking everything apart).

Hope this helps...
[8)]

[fugitiveALiEN]

quote:Originally posted by Sci-Fi

In a word, yes. BUT instead of just adding the OEM rear sway bar, it would be better to buy an aftermarket matched F/R sway bar set plus the rear installation kit (you need to buy the installation kit for either). The OEM rear bar will cost about $194.27 plus another $90 for the installation kit, while a complete aftermarket anti sway bar set will run about $265.01 (for Eibach, the most popular choice at the moment) plus the cost of the rear installation kit. So you are only looking at a $70 difference and the handling will be far superior than just adding the OEM rear bar in. The ride quality will not be affected.

Intrax offers grease fittings/greasable bushings with their anti-sway bars (part #28.7.009), 25mm front/19mm rear diameter bars and are purple powder coated. Can visit my site, http://sci-fi.ptenthusiasts.net/photo6.html , and see the various available anti-sway bars and strut bars plus their respective part numbers for the PT.

Most people have both the strut bar and aftermarket anti-sway bars installed. The strut bar will help prevent or tie together the shock towers to control upper body flexing in the front end (better steering response and slightly better handling) and the anti-sway bars will control body roll/lean (better overall balance/handling).

The only concern about the strut bar is the installation. Some people over-tighten the nuts and/or do not tighten/torque the nuts in even and equal stages and end up breaking the stud(s) causing an expensive replacement of the top strut plate (some get lucky and can get a replacement stud or bolt in there w/o taking everything apart).

Hope this helps...
[8)]

Sci-Fi, is there a safe for work version of your page? The babes aren't so easy on the wife or the bosses eyes and pink slips =[:0]

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by fugitiveALiEN

Sci-Fi, is there a safe for work version of your page? The babes aren't so easy on the wife or the bosses eyes and pink slips =[:0]

Hey Si-FI, hate your site man...I got drool all over the keyboard.