Tanabe Strut Tower Bar Install & Review [pics!]

[Chris07LB]

Special thanks to John @ BulletProof for the super easy and fast transaction! :thumbsup:

First, for the money and quality of the Tanabe Strut Bar, you can't go wrong.
Everything about the kit, is straight foward and a very simple design.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1901&stc=1&d=1161304365
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1902&stc=1&d=1161304365

I choose to toss the included hardware for some 3/8" Grade 8 hardware instead. This consisted of two washers, a lock washer, bolt, and Nylock nut for each point of attachment. This also made the install much easier, as I was able to get longer bolts for the strut tower brackets, and come up from the bottom of the wheel well. The Nylock nuts give added insurance as they wont back off / loosen over time like whats included.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1903&stc=1&d=1161304365

Install is a simple 30 minutes taking your time.

Tools needed;
1/4" drive rachet
3/8" drive rachet
Two 6" 1/4" extensions
14mm 1/4" socket
14mm 3/8" socket
14mm wrench

Remove wheels. The brackets simply bolt down into the existing two holes on top of each strut tower. Install bolts from wheel well, up into strut tower, and lock down the Tanabe bracket with a washer/lock washer/nylock nut. Repeat for other side. Using the 1/4 drive socket, extensions, and rachet here makes it easy to get around the spring & strut in the wheel well, while holding the top nut with the 14mm wrench.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1904&stc=1&d=1161304365
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1909&stc=1&d=1161304703


Tighten all four bolts down tight, and install both wheels. Once the car is settled on even ground again, slip the tie bar into the brackets. You may need to make a few adjustments on the bar ends, to line it up correctly with the holes in the brackets. Once its where it needs to be, tighten using the 3/8" 14mm socket/rachet and wrench.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1906&stc=1&d=1161304703
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1907&stc=1&d=1161304703

Finished! Go enjoy your new tighter feeling Yaris. :headbang:
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1908&stc=1&d=1161304703

[YamilR]

Good review... like usual :bow:

[ChinoCharles]

Chris, another sweet DIY. Looking forward to the review! Whats next for you in the mod department other than the headers?

[littlecarlove]

STOOOPID question alert.

What does that bar do? Keep in mind I’m one of those rare guys that
has no idea which end of a screwdriver to hold. If this is something I
need can I have it installed rather inexpensively?

Hays

[riceboy]

Hays,

It's there to color match with his springs. You can install it for free, if you do it yourself.. or drive to NJ and Chris might be able to help you out...

[DARKYARIS]

:wink: Excellent.......Now to find some Stainless Steel and fab up my own !!!:thumbup:
Where is the cover off the top of your engine ???? I changed the color on mine second day I had the car.
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/DARKYARIS/P1010012.jpg

[hasher22]

Nice dark, though just a curious question.....y red? i love red dont get me wrong, i just like your perspective on it :)

For me if i had a black yaris i woulda gone with yellow....lol...i wish i had a black yaris

[jmew0ng]

is the reason for such a large curve is just to avoid that terminal cover?
I was wanting to try an echo strut bar on the yaris but i forgot to take it off before trading in my car to find out >.<

Oh and lovely looking strutbar ;)

[DARKYARIS]

MMMMMMMMM RED:wub:
Black just looks good in my eyes with a splash of Red for contrast.
I just like shiny RED things......Like my Scooter
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/DARKYARIS/02-06-06_2238.jpg

[Violin]

Where'd you get the purple gloves?

[eTiMaGo]

Looks good, much more visible than the Cusco bar which bends toward the back of the car, under the dash... and this one is well color-coordinated too! :biggrin:

[paultyler_82]

STOOOPID question alert.

What does that bar do? Keep in mind I’m one of those rare guys that
has no idea which end of a screwdriver to hold. If this is something I
need can I have it installed rather inexpensively?

Hays

Front Strut Tower Bars like the Tanabe basically link the two strut towers structurally, it reduces chassis flex and transfers more of the roll in a turn, dive, or yaw to the struts, which can handle it more effectively than the frame of the car can, that translates to better handling characteristics.


Where'd you get the purple gloves?

They're just Nitrile gloves, look for em wherever you would find latex gloves, Wal Mart's got em in the section with the spraypaint and sandpaper.

[Chris07LB]

Chris, another sweet DIY. Looking forward to the review! Whats next for you in the mod department other than the headers?

Few cool one off mods finishing soon.. :wink:

[Chris07LB]

Where'd you get the purple gloves?

Gimme your address, Ill send ya a box. :cool:

[Chris07LB]

Front Strut Tower Bars like the Tanabe basically link the two strut towers structurally, it reduces chassis flex and transfers more of the roll in a turn, dive, or yaw to the struts, which can handle it more effectively than the frame of the car can, that translates to better handling characteristics.

Thanks Paul, you nailed that answer better then I ever could! :headbang:

If you didn't install your Tanabe Strut yet, send me your address, and Ill get you out the upgraded Grade 8 hardware. Whats included is a joke! :cool:

[Chris07LB]

is the reason for such a large curve is just to avoid that terminal cover?


There is actually a LOT of room between the terminals and the strut, I know it looks rather close in the pictures though. :frown:

[slvryaris]

I use the same purple gloves when I am workng on engines at Cummins.

[Violin]

They do look a lot stronger than the painter's glove I get by the bagfull at Home Depot.

[littlecarlove]

[QUOTE=paultyler_82]Front Strut Tower Bars like the Tanabe basically link the two strut towers structurally, it reduces chassis flex and transfers more of the roll in a turn, dive, or yaw to the struts, which can handle it more effectively than the frame of the car can, that translates to better handling characteristics.
QUOTE]

Hum... It does sound like something I need. But really, there is no way
I could do it myself I don't think. Thanks for the clarification though.

Hays

[BulletProofAuto]

[QUOTE=paultyler_82]Front Strut Tower Bars like the Tanabe basically link the two strut towers structurally, it reduces chassis flex and transfers more of the roll in a turn, dive, or yaw to the struts, which can handle it more effectively than the frame of the car can, that translates to better handling characteristics.
QUOTE]

Hum... It does sound like something I need. But really, there is no way
I could do it myself I don't think. Thanks for the clarification though.

Hays

eh...give yourself a little credit, putting on a strut bar is about as easy of a mod as you can do since you can't really mess anything up. these parts are instock and ready to go :burnrubber:

[littlecarlove]

[QUOTE=littlecarlove]

eh...give yourself a little credit, putting on a strut bar is about as easy of a mod as you can do since you can't really mess anything up. these parts are instock and ready to go :burnrubber:


No really, I could mess it up. However, my brother-in-law could do it, he
did a frame-off restoration on his Corvette - and he is only 3 hours
away. Yup, I think this will be a mod that I do. One more question:
Should I change the springs too?

Hays

[ChinoCharles]

Yes... and the struts, and the type 2 lower bar, and the rear performance bar, and some headers, and a.... OK OK I'm done.

[BulletProofAuto]

[QUOTE=john@bp]


No really, I could mess it up. However, my brother-in-law could do it, he
did a frame-off restoration on his Corvette - and he is only 3 hours
away. Yup, I think this will be a mod that I do. One more question:
Should I change the springs too?

Hays

might as well change the springs i guess if you're going to get the tools out :thumbsup:

you've got pm.

[paultyler_82]

Thanks Paul, you nailed that answer better then I ever could! :headbang:

If you didn't install your Tanabe Strut yet, send me your address, and Ill get you out the upgraded Grade 8 hardware. Whats included is a joke! :cool:

That'd be great, I still haven't really had the time, mostly because my metric toolset is a joke and I need a smaller wrench to hold the nut, none of mine will fit back there. I'll PM you my address.

[Chris07LB]

Hum... It does sound like something I need. But really, there is no way
I could do it myself I don't think. Thanks for the clarification though.

Hays

If you know how to remove your wheels from the car, operate a floor jack, know what righty tighty lefty loosey means, and can hold a wrench, you can install this strut brace! :biggrin:

[Yarisik]

Thanks for the thread! Hows the handling with the strut bar? Oh yeah the thread with the install on springs was a great help as well!

[obylium]

Very nice. It will be about a month or two, or Christmas for me to get the bar, springs, and shocks.

[Chris07LB]

Very nice. It will be about a month or two, or Christmas for me to get the bar, springs, and shocks.

Contact John @ BulletProof, he will put together a package deal.

[Chris07LB]

Yes... and the struts, and the type 2 lower bar, and the rear performance bar, and some headers, and a.... OK OK I'm done.

You're forgetting something.... :rolleyes:

[ChinoCharles]

Oh yeahhhh... and a kitchen sink.

:biggrin:

[littlecarlove]

If you know how to remove your wheels from the car, operate a floor jack, know what righty tighty lefty loosey means, and can hold a wrench, you can install this strut brace! :biggrin:


Ha-ha. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I am all thumbs when
it comes to anything mechanical. Remember the mechanical
reasoning section on the SAT? I scored in the lowest 2%! My family
won’t even let me drive a nail to hang a picture! But like I say, my
brother-in-law can do it - I’ll hand him the tools and buy the beer.
It looks like it will be a bigger job anyway… with replacing the springs
and struts too. I have no idea what this stuff does, but it will give me
a better ride - right?

Hays

[eco]

Chino,I think Chris was saying,you forgot an HID system.Ohya Chris,Ive called that number you gave me,but no one ever answers,I would like to talk with him,thats the only reason I havnt bought a set yet,then theres that new Klight HID kit Im looking at know.

[Chris07LB]

Chino,I think Chris was saying,you forgot an HID system.Ohya Chris,Ive called that number you gave me,but no one ever answers,I would like to talk with him,thats the only reason I havnt bought a set yet,then theres that new Klight HID kit Im looking at know.

Email me, Ill give you his direct line (thought thats what i already gave :confused: ) and his email addy.

chris03hd@comcast.net

[YamilR]

Email me, Ill give you his direct line (thought thats what i already gave :confused: ) and his email addy.

chris03hd@comcast.net

What about hooking me up with his number and email, I'm getting hooked on HID's . I love them long time:wub:

[Chris07LB]

Guys PM me.. Lets keep this thread back on topic. :thumbsup:

[ChinoCharles]

Chino,I think Chris was saying,you forgot an HID system.

Haha, maybe... I haven't forgotten though, trust me. I was going to get his set before this header GB thing went down... its next though, along with some hella fogs, yellow bulbs, nd headlight smokage. :headbang:

[obylium]

Contact John @ BulletProof, he will put together a package deal.


I will consider that. Thanks!

[Bones]

Hey Chris,

Great DIY! Do you "FEEL" the difference with the Strut Tower Bar?

[Chris07LB]

Hey Chris,

Great DIY! Do you "FEEL" the difference with the Strut Tower Bar?

For sure! :thumbsup:

My handling has gotten even better now that I added this Tanabe Strut along with the Tanabe DF210's and Cusco Lower Bar. :headbang:

[Chris07LB]

Paul, your Grade8 Hardware has shipped.

Everyone else, BULLET PROOF has these in stock at an AWESOME price!! :headbang:

[JeffForSale]

The natural tendancy for a front-drive vehicle like the Yaris would to be understeer, wouldn't it?

And to my understanding, adding more stiffness to the front would cause it to understeer more...

Why would you want that? :confused:

[Chris07LB]

Nice write-up :coolpics:

Two questions:

Do you have to keep the engine cover off to install the bar?
Can you forward me some of the upgraded Grade 8 stuff?

Thanks.

Alex Trofimovsky
10402 Viera Ln, Apt 623
Fairfax, VA 22030

Oh and I'm a new member and here's my ride:
2326

The cover can stay on, and be removed when needed... the bar does not stop you from that.. plenty of room.

Ill see what I have left as far as the Grade 8 left.

[Toyotech]

The natural tendancy for a front-drive vehicle like the Yaris would to be understeer, wouldn't it?

And to my understanding, adding more stiffness to the front would cause it to understeer more...

Why would you want that? :confused:

there wouldn't be a substantial difference due to the location of the towers so close to the firewall. to change oversteer/understeer a change in sway bar would make the difference.

though a larger bar at the front may decrease understeer.... but depending on the rear of the vehicle, it mean increase. its not a it does this or that answer. you want to make the biggest difference without effecting much oversteer/understeer, get good tires, a better weight as all four corners and a good set of progressive springs to help with camber(not the expensive route)

[cali yaris]

I have one of these coming next week. I have to say that with the bend in it, I'm not convinced of the performance value -- but I'll bolt the sucker on anyway!

[tun3r_310]

will this fit BOTH the SEDAN and LIFTBACK?

i'm getting a liftback, but i want to buy it for my dad's sedan first!
afterwards, i want to remove it from the sedan and install on my future liftback

if anyone knows, please respond. i might have overlooked it or something

:burnrubber:

[Vanderkitten]

Cali- Did you get the bar? What did you think?

[Kaotic Lazagna]

will this fit BOTH the SEDAN and LIFTBACK?

i'm getting a liftback, but i want to buy it for my dad's sedan first!
afterwards, i want to remove it from the sedan and install on my future liftback

if anyone knows, please respond. i might have overlooked it or something

:burnrubber:

i believe it fits both the sedan and LB. i bought one, and it bolts right onto my sedan. i think the majority of parts (except exhaust) are interchangeable between the two.

[dallas]

I like the Cusco bar better, The tanabe by its design looks like it will flex more. This one looks like solid aluminum and will probably flex. The hollow designs that are wider and have a internal wall have less flex, even better would be a all steel or titanium bar. The way it sits makes it look weak, why could the not mount it horizontally, it almost looks like the made the mounts for the car but then found a strut bar for another vehicle in the parts bin.

[ahsanaliali]

I Need engine service manual for the 1KR-FE & abs brake repairing 1KR-FE & cvt transmission 1KR-FE
please mail me gr8_ashan@hotmail.com
I need only upto 2007 models Complete manuals

[TrashCan Monster]

I noticed after you put the wheels back on, you lowered the car back down. Tanabe's website said it's best to keep the car raised during installation... is this true?
click on one of the middle box for info
http://www.tanabe-usa.com/towerbar.asp

here's a pic that I did a screen shot with

[cali yaris]

whoa a four year old thread comes to life.

[auxmike]

Will this bar clear an Interstate/Exide/Delco aftermarket battery? The stock battery is "shorter" in height than the type you would buy in any US store to replace it. My concern is would the bar clear the new battrey. Anyone know?

[Astroman]

I have a walmart battery now. Clears it fine.

[auxmike]

Do you feel like it makes for better handling? Was it worth the investment?

[cali yaris]

My experience is that you only feel it in *very hard cornering. I've tried it at the track on and off on the same day and can feel the difference.

But for more normal/regular street driving, it's probably more for looks.

[mattymo]

Chris, how the hell was this easy? How were you able to get bolts in from bottom, especially the back bolts? I feel like the springs make it impossible? This kicked my ass for an hour and i failed. Also, how do you reach your hand to screw on nuts at top on the back bolts?....crazy tight! You're a ninja.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

[aspro]

Chris, how the hell was this easy? How were you able to get bolts in from bottom, especially the back bolts? I feel like the springs make it impossible? This kicked my ass for an hour and i failed. Also, how do you reach your hand to screw on nuts at top on the back bolts?....crazy tight! You're a ninja.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

An extension helps keep the bolts in place and gives you more accuracey when trying to seat the bit to the bolt as it does get tight where the springs are. Patients and a few minutes of stretching before attempting go a long way for this install. No need for ninja skill unless you've given up on the install and you want to round house your yaris lol.

And yes performance gain is there but minimal, I think it would best be suited for a more serious suspension set up and will only start to perform when under serious cornering. More for looks for sure, as it looks sweet under there.
http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140821_090652960_HDR_zpsqsuohidx.jpg

[Calrenman]

Good link....BUMP!