Ow, going over gators at 100+ mph can't be good for the chassis. My rear strut upper tie bar (generic off ebay) looked bent. I took it off and looked at it against a strait surface... the bar's centerline is deflected a good 1/4" off it's normal axis in the center. Apparently there's a good bit of flexing back there during violent suspension compression. The brackets seem to be holding up fine, I just need a stronger bar.
Can anyone recommend a good one for me? Yeah I could fabricate my own but it'd take some time to organize the resourses.
Thanks.

 

This thing was straigt when I put it on... (I did do it with the wheel off the ground so it was "pre-loaded")

 

I dont think its a big deal.

 

Well, if given the choice between a bent bar and a straight bar, I'd take the straight one... and not pre-load it this time and see if it stays straight.

 

I agree. But preloading is the way to go I think.

WBB, who felt a difference when bars were preloaded and would prefer a straight Cusca 'beam' as well.

 

I have a generic rear strut car and its working great.
When I first installed it I didn't "Preload" it .... when I "Preloaded" it you can tell the difference big tyme. (Mines is also bent since I preloaded it)Rear is a lot stiffer and corners better


[Modified by JDM_CB7, 5:24 AM 10/21/2002]

 

I couldn't tell ANY difference w/ my rear strut bar, pre-loaded, not pre-loaded, no rear strut bar at all. Actually, i took my front strut bar off when i changed out something under the hood, drove it for a week before i realized i forgot to put it back on (i saw it laying in the garage) i couldn't tell a difference driving the car w/ it off either.

 

front tower bar....

um, no difference, just shinny under the hood.

 

i have the front tower bar and i definately can't tell a difference

 

We arent talking about the lower front bar.