Tanabe Strut Tower Bar Install & Review [pics!] - Toyota Yaris Forums

*Chris07LB* · 10-19-2006, 08:28 PM

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Finished! Go enjoy your new tighter feeling Yaris.

YamilR · 10-19-2006, 09:23 PM

Good review... like usual

ChinoCharles · 10-19-2006, 10:10 PM

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

littlecarlove · 10-19-2006, 10:52 PM

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 · 10-19-2006, 11:17 PM

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 · 10-19-2006, 11:44 PM

Excellent.......Now to find some Stainless Steel and fab up my own !!!

Where is the cover off the top of your engine ???? I changed the color on mine second day I had the car.

hasher22 · 10-20-2006, 12:32 AM

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 · 10-20-2006, 02:07 AM

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 · 10-20-2006, 02:56 AM

MMMMMMMMM RED

Black just looks good in my eyes with a splash of Red for contrast.
I just like shiny RED things......Like my Scooter

Violin · 10-20-2006, 06:19 AM

Where'd you get the purple gloves?

eTiMaGo · 10-20-2006, 06:21 AM

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!

paultyler_82 · 10-20-2006, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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:

Originally Posted by Violin

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* · 10-20-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoCharles

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..

*Chris07LB* · 10-20-2006, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Violin

Where'd you get the purple gloves?

Gimme your address, Ill send ya a box.

*Chris07LB* · 10-20-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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!

*Chris07LB* · 10-20-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmew0ng

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.

slvryaris · 10-20-2006, 08:43 AM

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

Violin · 10-20-2006, 10:44 AM

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

10-19-2006, 08:28 PM	#1
Chris07LB Super Moderator View User's Garage Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,174	Tanabe Strut Tower Bar Install & Review [pics!] Special thanks to John @ BulletProof for the super easy and fast transaction! 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. 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. 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. 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. Finished! Go enjoy your new tighter feeling Yaris.

10-20-2006, 12:32 AM	#7
hasher22 Look mum no stars!! Drives: Toyota Yaris 06 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Sydney Posts: 1,469	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 __________________

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10-19-2006, 09:23 PM	#2
YamilR View User's Garage Drives: Absolutely Red Liftback Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 570	Good review... like usual

10-19-2006, 10:10 PM	#3
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	Chris, another sweet DIY. Looking forward to the review! Whats next for you in the mod department other than the headers?

10-19-2006, 10:52 PM	#4
littlecarlove Drives: Want a Yaris Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: KY Posts: 101	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

10-19-2006, 11:17 PM	#5
riceboy Drives: icebox Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CAN Posts: 1,003	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...

10-19-2006, 11:44 PM	#6
DARKYARIS View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris RS HB Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Crazyville, Canada Posts: 48	Excellent.......Now to find some Stainless Steel and fab up my own !!! Where is the cover off the top of your engine ???? I changed the color on mine second day I had the car.

10-20-2006, 02:07 AM	#8
jmew0ng Drives: Scion FRS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 179	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 ;)

10-20-2006, 02:56 AM	#9
DARKYARIS View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris RS HB Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Crazyville, Canada Posts: 48	MMMMMMMMM RED Black just looks good in my eyes with a splash of Red for contrast. I just like shiny RED things......Like my Scooter

10-20-2006, 06:19 AM	#10
Violin View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Auto Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,592	Where'd you get the purple gloves?

10-20-2006, 06:21 AM	#11
eTiMaGo vroom vroom View User's Garage Drives: lil red 5-door Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 7,744	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!

10-20-2006, 08:43 AM	#17
slvryaris View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan S Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 885	I use the same purple gloves when I am workng on engines at Cummins.

10-20-2006, 10:44 AM	#18
Violin View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Auto Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,592	They do look a lot stronger than the painter's glove I get by the bagfull at Home Depot.