Tanabe Front Strut Bar

[Benggolf2]

Got the Tanabe front strut bar installed today! :headbang:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9150/img1088xf9.jpg

She now handles very well, great turn-in; the car feel solid and well planted.

So far my set-up consists of: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, TRD rear sway bar and Tanabe front strut bar....all I need now is a set of Tokico HP Blues and rear disc brakes! :wink: :burnrubber:

[1nz]

Wow! i cant wait for mine to arrive, few more weeks to arrival hehe

[PETERPOOP]

pretty. gotta get me one of those!

[PHXDEMON]

Looks great :thumbup:

[ChinoCharles]

Niiice. I want to see the rear disc conversion! :laugh:

[Thej3sta2]

So far my set-up consists of: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, TRD rear sway bar and Tanabe front strut bar....all I need now is a set of Tokico HP Blues and rear disc brakes! :wink: :burnrubber:

are you really gonna say thats all you need

[bikegerm]

Hey guys and gals. How often should I re-tension my tanabe front strut bar? I recently rotated my tires, should I adjust my bar?

[largeorangefont]

Hey guys and gals. How often should I re-tension my tanabe front strut bar? I recently rotated my tires, should I adjust my bar?



The bar is usless, and does not need to be retentioned.

[CASTREX]

The bar is usless, and does not need to be retentioned.

You are cold....! :laughabove:

But yeah, the front strut doesn't do much for the car.

It does look cool tough!:biggrin:

[largeorangefont]

You are cold....! :laughabove:

But yeah, the front strut doesn't do much for the car.

It does look cool tough!:biggrin:


Don't ask me about the rear brace :)

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

The bar is usless, and does not need to be retentioned.

You are cold....! :laughabove:

But yeah, the front strut doesn't do much for the car.

It does look cool tough!:biggrin:

Don't ask me about the rear brace :)

ALRIGHT, first of all they are right in one way. that TANABE bar is useless and there are much better out there(BEATRUSH). SECONDLY, i challenge ANYONE who thinks bars are a waste to get in my car and hold on or use yours and TRY TO KEEP UP......:biggrin:

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

hey, if certain stains on here wanna give useless information then im gonna say something. especially since im sponsored by a major producer of such bars......

[Klink10]

All this and Germ's question did not get answered....kinda curious myself....though if mines loose I'll re-tighten. Would like to know though if something written in stone.

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

my mounting is a bit different seeing as i have to go underneath(through fender liner) to tighten but i do check every other oil change.....

[largeorangefont]

ALRIGHT, first of all they are right in one way. that TANABE bar is useless and there are much better out there(BEATRUSH). SECONDLY, i challenge ANYONE who thinks bars are a waste to get in my car and hold on or use yours and TRY TO KEEP UP......:biggrin:

A useless strutbar is a useless strutbar no matter what brand it is.

You are sponsord by a company who produces said useless bars makes you a biased sorce of information. The fact that you would say that a Beatrush is less useless than a Tanabe is rediculous, and proves my point.

Why is the strut bar useless? The front struts are mounted in RUBBER which flexes, and the strut towers themselves are part of the firewall, which is one of the strongest areas of the car.

Yes, there are a couple braces that will help handling... strut braces are not one of them, on this particular car. Some of the undercar bracing is actually usefull.

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

A useless strutbar is a useless strutbar no matter what brand it is.

You are sponsord by a company who produces said useless bars makes you a biased sorce of information. The fact that you would say that a Beatrush is less useless than a Tanabe is rediculous, and proves my point.

Why is the strut bar useless? The front struts are mounted in RUBBER which flexes, and the strut towers themselves are part of the firewall, which is one of the strongest areas of the car.

Yes, there are a couple braces that will help handling... strut braces are not one of them, on this particular car. Some of the undercar bracing is actually usefull.

take a side by side look at both bars and tell me there's no difference. as for total uselessness come on now. BEATRUSH makes C-ONE and BRAILLE and has been a staple in VITZ/yaris products for years now.....

you can talk about how is does nothing all you want, problem is there's no proof to your opinions........

[largeorangefont]

take a side by side look at both bars and tell me there's no difference. as for total uselessness come on now. BEATRUSH makes C-ONE and BRAILLE and has been a staple in VITZ/yaris products for years now.....

you can talk about how is does nothing all you want, problem is there's no proof to your opinions........

I'm not saying they aren't all a bit different, I agree some bars would be better than others if they actually did something.

I'm saying none of the bars are really needed until you have the the front struts solidly mounted to the car. Your money is better spent on bracing the suspension arms and subframe under the car.

Also, you have no proof that they do work :P

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

i see we can beat this all day long with no solid conclusion. im gonna say your 50% right so we can end this........

[largeorangefont]

and an arrogant answer is unimpressive no matter who it comes from :wink: you may even be right largeorangefont, but you say it in such a way that many people don't care...

but both of you, honestly--dude posted up his new mod, did not ask for opinions of its utility. since this is not the thread to battle out your strut bar opinions, why not start a new thread and have at it? we might all learn something :thumbsup:

The bar looks cool, it just does not do anything. If Loren were here He would agree with me. I'm sorry if it came off as arrogant, but people can buy whatever they like for their cars, it does not bother me.

[largeorangefont]

i see we can beat this all day long with no solid conclusion. im gonna say your 50% right so we can end this........

Fair enough.

[KCALB SIRAY]

A useless strutbar is a useless strutbar no matter what brand it is.

You are sponsord by a company who produces said useless bars makes you a biased sorce of information. The fact that you would say that a Beatrush is less useless than a Tanabe is rediculous, and proves my point.

Why is the strut bar useless? The front struts are mounted in RUBBER which flexes, and the strut towers themselves are part of the firewall, which is one of the strongest areas of the car.

Yes, there are a couple braces that will help handling... strut braces are not one of them, on this particular car. Some of the undercar bracing is actually usefull.

.

[largeorangefont]

^ Enjoy bracing something mounted in rubber :laughabove:

[ChinoCharles]

I put a strut bar on my shoulders and I notice that I can throw spin-moves on my cats with amazing accuracy, so I say they work. :drinking:

[eco]

In extreme conditions you will notice the car feels more solid,I have proven this to myself,I have had the bar off several times,and took this turn at 60mph,withbar,and without,there is deffinitly a difference.Now at 30mph you wont notice a diffrence because the rubber has flex,but beyond the rubber flex,tthe bar helps stiffen the chassis.

[aucorium]

hey guys , found this:

http://www.jdm-option.com/eng/feature/05_10/bodyup.html

in there they also use quite a few strut bars , i mean if big name tuners use it , then it must work. anyway , my 5c. :-)

[aucorium]

Got the Tanabe front strut bar installed today! :headbang:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9150/img1088xf9.jpg

She now handles very well, great turn-in; the car feel solid and well planted.

So far my set-up consists of: Eibach Pro-Kit springs, TRD rear sway bar and Tanabe front strut bar....all I need now is a set of Tokico HP Blues and rear disc brakes! :wink: :burnrubber:


looks great bro! :thumbup: im getting mine soon , i think it already shipped out of USA , so should be here soon.

[jronald]

Looks great!

Two things though:

1. Did you lift both front tires totally when installing the bar? (common mistake of strut bar installation that leads to "USELESS" bar)

2. Did you adjust the bar (you use Tanabe, it can be turned to put initial tension to suspension geometry) to give you the most initial tension before you tightened all bolts (and finally the gripping bolt)?

If you done that correctly, you 'almost' never need to re-tightened those bolts again!

P.S.: Actually, the chasis is rigid enough for handling all the weight transfer and suspension flexing (or else the windshield will breaking everytime the car doing hard cornering..), but the point of strut bar is only optimising the outer suspension when cornering. A good set springs and struts (or coilover) will do so much better, and cost more of course.

[rnelson]

Is there anyway to install Tanabe strut tower without removing all the wipers and the splash shields? Any tips on installation?

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

Is there anyway to install Tanabe strut tower without removing all the wipers and the splash shields? Any tips on installation?
im not sure with the tanabe but the beatrush/c-one/braille one requires it.

[Astroman]

Is there anyway to install Tanabe strut tower without removing all the wipers and the splash shields? Any tips on installation?

Nope, but trust me, it's pretty easy getting those parts on and off. I've done it twice. Once for the tanabe bar and once for the spring install.

[TheSilkySmooth]

The bar looks cool, it just does not do anything. If Loren were here He would agree with me. I'm sorry if it came off as arrogant, but people can buy whatever they like for their cars, it does not bother me. The front suspension on this car need mucho work - doesnt handle as good as a Yugo ( Fiat 126). Traditionally teh stut towers move around alot under heavy side loads - but the closer they are to the firewall the less they will move. You do have to increase the durometer rating on most of the bushings of this fat pig to get it to steer.
Sonjas' Brother

[largeorangefont]

The front suspension on this car need mucho work - doesnt handle as good as a Yugo ( Fiat 126). Traditionally teh stut towers move around alot under heavy side loads - but the closer they are to the firewall the less they will move. You do have to increase the durometer rating on most of the bushings of this fat pig to get it to steer.
Sonjas' Brother

Get some R compounds, Delrin arm bushings, and solid upper strut mounts, then we can talk about strut tower bracing.

[Klink10]

Is there anyway to install Tanabe strut tower without removing all the wipers and the splash shields? Any tips on installation?

There is a DIY here for that specific bar. It was done just taking the wheels off to allow access from underneath. I did mine when I put in my TRD suspension package, removing all the stated BS in the process. My motive for removing was not because of the suspension or access to the nuts securing the top of the struts, it was to clean out debris from trees etc that had accumulated inside. Again, the Tanabe can be done without removing all the BS. The DIY also makes note of the hardware swap. I did that too because the hardware in my opinion also was less than adequate. No comment on the bar itself. I got it cheap and did it all at once. Good luck.

[TheSilkySmooth]

Get some R compounds, Delrin arm bushings, and solid upper strut mounts, then we can talk about strut tower bracing. Right on, Bro', on a stiif bush. Been racin and know it. But then you woulnt have all that underhood 'B-L-i_N-G!' to show off - You know, The Rice Wiggers underhood jew-lerY:laugh:

- Sonja's Bro

[bikegerm]

Hey Silky... I can tell by your avatar you're not into looks. I'll take my "bling" bar any day over a dull engine bay !! By the way, my "bling" bar did help my handling in turns at high speeds. It also matches my "bling" grounding wires, fuse box cover and redline hood damper. Does my AFE intake qualify as "bling" or a legimate mod?

[TheSilkySmooth]

Hey Silky... I can tell by your avatar you're not into looks. I'll take my "bling" bar any day over a dull engine bay !! By the way, my "bling" bar did help my handling in turns at high speeds. It also matches my "bling" grounding wires, fuse box cover and redline hood damper. Does my AFE intake qualify as "bling" or a legimate mod? NO man, looks good, I like Strut bars on the street, and K-braces underneath. Stiffer bushs on the steering box - where0ever. The body can use all the help you can give it. Just bustin 'em. Nice mods. I give you respect.

[TheSilkySmooth]

Hey Bike - does that wiring kit help smooth out the engine- My sisters 3 dr is like Jekl and Hyde - some days smooth and other it wont get out of its =way and runs like there is spark scatter or some 'puter problem real buzzy and no pull. Whats up with that?
- S's Bro

[bikegerm]

The ground kit made a big difference in the stereo system. It has no hums or buzzes at all. As for the performance, I've never had any problems with sputters. My plugs fire smooth all the time, even in the morning when it's cold. Don't know if it's related to the ground kit.... By the way, your avatar is looks like a heartbreaker !! :brokenheart:

[andries]

You are cold....! :laughabove:

But yeah, the front strut doesn't do much for the car.

It does look cool tough!:biggrin:

The bar is usless, and does not need to be retentioned.


Therefore race- and rallycars have one. For more weight :tongue:

[cleong]

Race/rally cars drive in tougher terrain and higher speeds than road cars, with upgraded suspension bushings, harder and/or longer travel suspension with grippy soft-compound tires that impose more stress on the chassis.

You don't need it for the local grocery shop special stage.

[andries]

Race/rally cars drive in tougher terrain and higher speeds than road cars, with upgraded suspension bushings, harder and/or longer travel suspension with grippy soft-compound tires that impose more stress on the chassis.

You don't need it for the local grocery shop special stage.

Oke, but sometimes I drive on the circuit with my Yaris and often I drive on mountain roads in Germany with many sharp bends. A strut tower bar gives a noticeably better cornering behavior.
So the tower bar is a good addition to the chassis of the Yaris, not all of the above but also for the "sporty driver".

[CASTREX]

Therefore race- and rallycars have one. For more weight :tongue:

Is not that the front strut bars don't do nothing... they just don't do nothing on a Yaris...

This is due to the chasis configuration of the Yaris.

Even if you are driving at the track...

You will have to install a full racing suspension in order to receive any benefit from a this bar on the Yaris.

There are a lot of other car that can use the benefit of a front strut bar even for street use. The Yaris is not one of those.

On the other side the rear sway bar does alot for the car.

I have not use the other under bracing available for the car... so I can not talk about those.

[TheSilkySmooth]

The ground kit made a big difference in the stereo system. It has no hums or buzzes at all. As for the performance, I've never had any problems with sputters. My plugs fire smooth all the time, even in the morning when it's cold. Don't know if it's related to the ground kit.... By the way, your avatar is looks like a heartbreaker !! :brokenheart:
I'll pimp out sis if you help her change the oil - I'm tired of working on her car for her.

[TheSilkySmooth]

Is not that the front strut bars don't do nothing... they just don't do nothing on a Yaris...

This is due to the chasis configuration of the Yaris.

Even if you are driving at the track...

You will have to install a full racing suspension in order to receive any benefit from a this bar on the Yaris.

There are a lot of other car that can use the benefit of a front strut bar even for street use. The Yaris is not one of those.

On the other side the rear sway bar does alot for the car.

I have not use the other under bracing available for the car... so I can not talk about those.

To prove that you woulld have to put a strain guage on the brace to see what loading it is getting under side load - also you can statically load the lower wheel (with hydraulic/ratchet puller and come-a-long and see what moves. we'd do this for race setup - on the street just buy the part and feel the diff, if any. The car still def needs firmer bushings - the front wallows terribly on tight radius.

[andries]

Is there anyway to install Tanabe strut tower without removing all the wipers and the splash shields? Any tips on installation?


I removed nothing. Just jack up the car and with two people to fit the bolts and nuts.

[Never Enough]

Nice addition under the hood!

[Thej3sta2]

very nice i want one so bad

[SEVEN]

Is not that the front strut bars don't do nothing... they just don't do nothing on a Yaris...

This is due to the chasis configuration of the Yaris.

Even if you are driving at the track...

You will have to install a full racing suspension in order to receive any benefit from a this bar on the Yaris.

There are a lot of other car that can use the benefit of a front strut bar even for street use. The Yaris is not one of those.

On the other side the rear sway bar does alot for the car.

I have not use the other under bracing available for the car... so I can not talk about those.

Does TRD springs and KYB shocks count as full racing suspension?? If not, just say that the STRUT BAR makes a lot of difference in the handling so I can sleep at night PLEASE

[Mouse]

Would the yaris benefit from a 3-point front strut bar?

If so, why has one not been developed yet?

[YarisSedan]

I noticed a difference with mine. Especially on hard turns or really quick lane changes. Also was able to install mine without lifting car up but was really cramped fitting hand up there.

[speed1]

They go shopping using front bar.
They go driving using rear.

[aspro]

Just finished installing mine. Nice product with nice fittings and hardware. Simple install. Felt a difference in steering input and it seems as if it let's you enter harder into corners and allows some room for mistakes. Not a huge difference though. Probably would have passed on it and put the money towards getting Garms intake manifold. Definitely looks good though.

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140808_171909153_HDR_zpssulajoau.jpg
http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140808_173721678_zpshuzamdik.jpg
http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140808_173742251_zpschbnzl1u.jpg

[cali yaris]

Looks good!

[268i]

Just finished installing mine. Nice product with nice fittings and hardware. Simple install. Felt a difference in steering input and it seems as if it let's you enter harder into corners and allows some room for mistakes. Not a huge difference though. Probably would have passed on it and put the money towards getting Garms intake manifold. Definitely looks good though.

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140808_171909153_HDR_zpssulajoau.jpg
http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140808_173721678_zpshuzamdik.jpg
http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag374/metrixlp/IMG_20140808_173742251_zpschbnzl1u.jpg



I'm thinking of getting one but not unsure on how to install. would you mind briefly doing over the details? Thanks

[aspro]

Very easy. Jack up the car and remove the front wheels. Remove the tower brackets from the tanabe bar and and bolt up each bracket on the two strut towers (two bolts per bracket). It gets tight under the wheel well when trying to tighten the bolts up for the brackets but it works if you have the right tools. Then attach the bar to the brackets and adjust and tighten accordingly. Then re install the wheels and drop the car. Then inspect the install and make sure everything is still nice and tight. Then drive and enjoy. Also, after a couple hundred kilometers check everything again and make sure everything is still tight and secure. Its a really easy install with basic tools don't be intimidated by it. But its very important that you do the entire install with the car in the air and the load off of the front wheels.

Good luck!

[aspro]

Looks good!

Thanks Garm! Thanks for the product!

[cali yaris]

[EDIT] whoops, cross post

1. jack up the front of the car, remove front wheels.
2. Remove fender liner (OR separate enough so you can reach up underneath
3. Install left and right brackets (black ones). Two people is way easier so you can get to the top of the bolt and the nut underneath, but I have done this alone before.
4. Adjust threaded end pieces to line up with bracket holes.
5. Install bar to the brackets.
6. Tighten everything, put wheels on, lower car. DONE.

Did I miss anything?

[aspro]

Nope you got everything. I would suggest to just inspect the install after driving the car around a bit to make sure everything is still tight and secure.