Rear strut tower bar problem

[mrbond]

K, so I received the Nitto rear strut bar a week ago and installed it (note: without jacking the car up). First, I left the rubber pads on and had the bar bolted on top of those. Then, after talking to Garm, decided to take them off. There was a bunch of rattling from the strut towers each time I went over a bump or onto my driveway. I then decided to buy large-diameter washers to distance the bar from the strut tower. The bolt from the strut is noticeably shorter than before I installed the bar.
Any ideas how to raise that bolt up? I have a feeling that if I'm able to bring that bolt back up, then I won't need to put the rubber pads back in and I'll still be able to cancel out the rattling.

[eTiMaGo]

Wrong, Mr. Bond, I expect you to post pictures :wink:

[mrbond]

lol it'll have to wait at least 4 hours, since I'm at work.

And don't worry, the James Bond jokes will never get old :laugh:

[cali yaris]

Are these stock shocks in the back?

[mrbond]

Yup, I switched back to stock after using an unfortunately soft German setup.

[mrbond]

any ideas, anyone?

[1NZYaris1]

Is it rattling on the top of the struts , or is it the bar it's self rattling.
can you adjust the push /pull tension on the bar .
:thumbsup:
pic's would be a great help .

[mrbond]

I already solved the problem. Cut the rubber bushing and sandwich it between the bar and the large washer on top of that.

[StefanVVTi]

A picture of the new setting would be great since I have the same problem with mine...:wink:

[cali yaris]

yeah PICS!!

[mrbond]

I'll put up a diagram when I get home, since I really really don't want to have to undo and redo the bar for the 6th time.

[blacksandiegovitz]

I'll put up a diagram when I get home, since I really really don't want to have to undo and redo the bar for the 6th time.

Why not only takes me like 1 minute to take off my covers and take the bar off(nitto ) :rolleyes:

[Tamago]

spaghetti bar FTW!

[blacksandiegovitz]

spaghetti bar FTW!

WTF ???

[Y@R15]

is that strut bar different from the one offered by toyota?

[Bluevitz-rs]

You guys make me laugh. First, the rear has shocks not struts. And second, that bar won't do a thing for chassis stiffening.

Tell me what the point in tying the top of two rubber mounted shocks is supposed to do?

[mrbond]

Dude, chill out. It does stiffen the chassis because the rubber pieces are moved as to increase contact between the bar and the towers. See, this sort of bar gives the car a new point of weight transfer, thus reducing body roll. Also, when one side of the car goes over a bump, pothole, or the side of a race track, there's theoretically more controlability, which I've noticed when driving over potholes and flex joints on a turn on the freeway.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Dude, chill out. It does stiffen the chassis because the rubber pieces are moved as to increase contact between the bar and the towers. See, this sort of bar gives the car a new point of weight transfer, thus reducing body roll. Also, when one side of the car goes over a bump, pothole, or the side of a race track, there's theoretically more controlability, which I've noticed when driving over potholes and flex joints on a turn on the freeway.

Yeah, OK.

Why do you think race car cages are welded directly to the chassis. In fact, most race cars don't have rubber mounts of any kind. All flex points use hem joints because rubber or urethane bushings deflect and don't hold precision tuning. I've built race cars. I know what I'm talking about.

[Tamago]

there is no lateral load on the rear shocks.

and the rear shocks do not support any weight


therefore, a rear "strut tower bar" does not do anything

[ddongbap]

Can I has a cheezeburger (http://icanhascheezburger.com/)?

[botchilah]

Yeah, OK.

Why do you think race car cages are welded directly to the chassis. In fact, most race cars don't have rubber mounts of any kind. All flex points use hem joints because rubber or urethane bushings deflect and don't hold precision tuning. I've built race cars. I know what I'm talking about.

No one here contests your knowledge and experience.

But in the end, let the OP be.

If the guy's happy with his mod, whether it is quantified or purely subjective, all the better for him. No need to rain on his parade and try to assert your 'knowledge' and 'experience'. This thread wasn't about whether rear strutbars are useful / functional. The OP had them installed already and was trying to fix a vibration / noise problem.

[mrbond]

Thank you, botchilah. Yeah, I wasn't trying to start a debate as to the effectiveness of said brace. At the very least, it's a nice cosmetic piece.

[Bluevitz-rs]

No one here contests your knowledge and experience.

But in the end, let the OP be.

If the guy's happy with his mod, whether it is quantified or purely subjective, all the better for him. No need to rain on his parade and try to assert your 'knowledge' and 'experience'. This thread wasn't about whether rear strutbars are useful / functional. The OP had them installed already and was trying to fix a vibration / noise problem.

All I'm getting at is don't spread propaganda for other unknowledged readers on the subject.

And I wasn't directing my comments to anyone in particular, I was just trying to left facts be known. I've read too many thread about these types of bars and how they do SO much. I'm not flaming anyone for wasting their money, they car do whatever they want.

Dude, chill out. It does stiffen the chassis because the rubber pieces are moved as to increase contact between the bar and the towers. See, this sort of bar gives the car a new point of weight transfer, thus reducing body roll. Also, when one side of the car goes over a bump, pothole, or the side of a race track, there's theoretically more controlability, which I've noticed when driving over potholes and flex joints on a turn on the freeway.

[botchilah]

All I'm getting at is don't spread propaganda for other unknowledged readers on the subject.


Don't worry, Tamago already beat you (and probably everyone else) to that fact in this board :)

Chill

mrbond,

Doesn't the lack of rear cargo space bother you with the rear strut bar though? I want to get one myself (just for the heck of it and waste money lol) but I can't accept losing whatever is left of the rear luggage space.

Hmm in fact might as well get the HUGE rear brace that Garm sells for the Yaris right? The one that reaches all the way to the top lol I mean if you lose that space, everything on top is useless space since you can't properly load stuff from the back anymore right? Better check Garm's site again

[mrbond]

Botchilah, it honestly didn't really cut into my rear cargo space. See, for groceries, I'd just put it in between the bar and the seat (I've also got the reclining 60/40 seats). Then I just took the back seats out and there is no lack of storage space whatsoever. Plus acceleration, braking, handling, and mileage were all improved by doing that. I say go for the Nitto; $99 is cheaper than $339...but then again, if you get both, you'll have a pretty sick setup :thumbsup:

[botchilah]

Botchilah, it honestly didn't really cut into my rear cargo space. See, for groceries, I'd just put it in between the bar and the seat (I've also got the reclining 60/40 seats). Then I just took the back seats out and there is no lack of storage space whatsoever. Plus acceleration, braking, handling, and mileage were all improved by doing that. I say go for the Nitto; $99 is cheaper than $339...but then again, if you get both, you'll have a pretty sick setup :thumbsup:

lol will probably get one anyway as the lcoal distributor is begging me to get it so he can borrow my car and join some shows and exhibits without having to sponsor me hahaha

Just annoyed that my golf bag won't fit easily with the bar :(