Strut Tower Groan

[bigguigt]

Installed my BTG strut bar and noticed a distinct groan every time I took off from a complete stop. Took it home, reinstalled it (second time) and tried again. Same noise! I also noticed the strut bar was flexed in a U-shape with a 1/4" flex in the middle. (I measured it by putting a straight-edge on top of bar) I called BTG and they said the flex was normal and never heard of a "groan" complaint. I took off the bar and the groan was gone. I reinstalled the unit completely, (third time) and the noise came back. I left it on for a week, thinking that it might "settle in", but it continued. When I removed it the third and final time, the two tower braces were bent, the bolt brackets were scraped, and the strut bar had scraped off the paint from the metal housing that covers the throttle cables. My $200 BTG strut bar now sits on my workbench.[xx(] Been a fan of this forum since I've had my GT (February '03) but this is the first time I've needed to put in my two cents.

[Herschel]

You might want to refer to "Dealer looked at
Groan" post. H.

[IRPT]

bigguigt, welcome to the forum. As Herschel said, you aren't the only one. Here's the thread:

http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/...rchTerms=groan

[Punch]

yet, i have this strut bar, one of the first made for the GT and have zero complaints with it, except the bolts are rusting....

[Mean Green]

Sorry to see someone else having this problem with the BTG strut bar. The groan is still there. The funny thing is I can barely hear it when I first start up my GT, without moving. If I take the strut bar off the groan disappears. [:I]

[PTGT Redman]

I'm sure you did this, bu make sure the large bolts attaching your bar to the mounts are very tight. If there is play and the bar is shifting it defeats the purpose of the bar and will creak. Just a thought. I have no problems with the BTG bar.

[bigguigt]

thanks for responding.All the bolts were torqued to BTG specs.Does everybody have a bend in the strut bar itself?

[Mean Green]

quote:Originally posted by bigguigt

thanks for responding.All the bolts were torqued to BTG specs.Does everybody have a bend in the strut bar itself?

What do you mean by "have a bend"? I don't have a bend, just the stupid groan. I'm calling PT Tuning on Friday to see if I can get an exchange for the defective bar I have now.

[flashbk2]

Just a thought....based on my own experiences with race and street strut bar and yours , contemplate this, don't you think it's possible this groan is nothing other than metal to metal contact? Why not make a rubber gasket and place it between shock tower and strut bar and see if the groan disappears or @least lessens .

[PTGT Redman]

There is zero space between the strut mounts and the bar to put the gasket, unless you use a liquid sealant.