What is this? I see it on everyone's cars.

[YarisLover09]

OK Pardon my ignorance all, I need some help! I don't know what this thing is so i can't even type to search for it. What is this thing on people's engines, this bar, what does it do, and should I have one?
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37681&stc=1&d=1287508021

Thanks for the help fellas and gals.


By the way... I am referring to that red bar.

[ilikerice]

strut bar. stiffins the front susupension/chassis a bit. It works, but depending on your goals is will either benifit you or hurt you.

[Tamago]

it really doesn't do much on the yaris

[ilikerice]

it really doesn't do much on the yaris

+1 doesnt do much for any front wheel drive car.. the front are already stiff as it is cuz of the subframe that supports the engine to the chasis

[Klink10]

Thanks for using my engine to ask your question, and folks here are probably right. At the time I got an insane deal on it. That was when folks were saying that it helped a little (years ago). Does it have a purpose in my bay?....yep....It supports my stock hood prop rod now that I've gone to the small battery.

[ROCKLANDTOYOTA]

strut bar. t. It works,

+1 doesnt do much for any front wheel drive car.. the front are already stiff as it is cuz of the subframe that supports the engine to the chasis

SOOO, which is it? does it work or do NOTHING

[ilikerice]

:tongue:I like how you pick apart sentances..

I said, it works depending on your reason for putting it on. For bling, it works great. For a rear wheel drive, it can stiffin up the front to help with oversteer. Front wheel drive cars usually have nasty understeer cuz of the wieght and the stiffness of the front. Hints why stiffining the front any more is kinda redundant.

BUT it looks good :thumbup: and thats why most FWD cars have them.

[YarisLover09]

Thanks guys, I had a feeling it might have been for show, it does look pretty cool. So it makes the front suspension slightly stiffer, good enough. And it's called a strut bar, that's what I didn't know, thanks.

Klink, of course I combed the forums for the absolute best strut bar/engine combination to use as an example... Only the best will do:thumbup:

[cali yaris]

The correct name is "front strut tower brace".

I have used that exact bar at the track, taking it off and putting it on between consecutive 20 minute sessions. It definitely stiffened the front.

That is in extreme cornering conditions (= racing).

Going to Whole Foods to get eggs? Won't make a difference at all.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Feels like it did a little for my sedan, especially when cornering hard. The only bar that I would consider absolutely useless is the little rear tie bar (the one that bolts to the gas tanks). Can't see it, so there's no aesthetic function, and it's too short to be physically functional. lol.

[ROCKLANDTOYOTA]

The only bar that I would consider absolutely useless is the little rear tie bar (the one that bolts to the gas tanks). Can't see it, so there's no aesthetic function, and it's too short to be physically functional. lol.

that puny megan bar only seems to piss me off when i have the family in the car as it rubs going over hard bumps.....

[Blinkey56]

I can tell you from experience, that exact bar (I have one) will make a difference if you have a sway bar under the back as well. But as it has already been stated, getting grocery; usless. Getting an extra second on the track; pricless.

[Kongo-Otto]

I can tell you from experience, that exact bar (I have one) will make a difference if you have a sway bar under the back as well. But as it has already been stated, getting grocery; usless. Getting an extra second on the track; pricless.

Where exactly is the interaction between a strut tower bar and a rear sway bar? The sway bar stiffens up the torsion axle, reducing body roll and decreasing grip. The strut tower bar stiffens up the body a bit.

[Kiteless]

Sway bar decreases grip?! All the upgrades I plan on doing to my cars suspension are mainly to lower it a bit (To lower the center of gravity and, well lowered cars look nice if done right) and so I can zip around corners on the way to the grocery store. I was planning, struts, springs, sway bar, front tower brace, 16" or 17" rims, and good tires. Most of it from our good friends at Micro Image. Am I just going overboard here?

- J

[Kongo-Otto]

Sway bar decreases grip?!

At the rear axle, yes. The additional sway bar stiffens up the torsion beam axle. This will result in more oversteer and less understeer. What did you expect?

[ilikerice]

For a FWD car like our little yaris, you are going to want to tighten up the rear some and let the front stay loose if you want to "zip" around corners.

some good coilovers and a rear sway bar will help you do exactly that. Maybe a rear strut brace also will help. I will tell you from autox point of view, I have a hard time geting my rear end out (oversteering) when i need it the most. Im sure if i stiffin up the rear a bit more I could get it to do it. But I am still having some understeer issues still.

Some FWD guys are removing thier Front Sway bar to help with the front to "roll" and grip the road a bit when turning. I may try this method next event. I havent yet cuz I havent had the time to get out there and remove it. too busy with my GSX project right now.

KiteLess, I would not bother with the front strut tower bar if you want more grip. But if you want it for the look, by all means, go for it. They do look sexy and they dress up the engine bay up a lot.

Kongo is right though. If you wanna look at it another way, It will increase the front wheel grip more by keeping the back 2 tires fighting to stay both on the ground.

[ROCKLANDTOYOTA]

REAR strut brace is purely cosmetic as per TAMAGO....

[Kiteless]

Hey guys I know these questions are steering away from the original question from the thread starter but I appreciate all the info. Traditionally I have never been very interested in doing any modifications to my car but I guess I caught the bug. The front brace does look nice, but I am about handling and getting it to look like a Vitz. Thanks again!

- J

[ilikerice]

REAR strut brace is purely cosmetic as per TAMAGO....

He was refering to the FRONT STRUT BRACE.. not the rear btw...

Sorry for the off topic there kiteless. Glad to help you. Think we can close this thread now.