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Strut-Tower bar does work !!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Azipod, Oct 3, 2010.

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  1. Azipod

    Azipod Member

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    Thanks to Gadget-Dad with post: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-strut-tower-brace-install-pictures-text.html , I was able to get my Tanabe Sustec strut tower bar installed this afternoon with ease. Total time was about 1 hour.

    Results? It does work! My placebo seat of the pants effects tells me that it's a worthwhile add-on for the Prius. I was pretty skeptical of the results earlier and just thought I do the mod for fun. I've owned several cars in the past to which I also put the strut-tower brace (most of which were German) and they never made any noticeable improvement. The shiny bars on those cars just looked pretty! :) However with the Prius, the improvement is almost night and day. In the turns, the vehicle feels more planted and there's more control in the car as oppose to a slight sloppy-ness feeling. I can't explain it, but I actually think it reduced body-roll too! I always thought only springs/shocks/anti-roll bars are the only mods that prevent roll but maybe not?

    I guess the Toyota engineers really skimmed on chassis rigidity in their design to save weight ... and thus we get a very flexy chassis which hurts the handling. It feels like we're driving a wet-noodle.

    Btw, I got the Tanabe Sustec bar from JuicedHybrid for $129. No need to spend $250+ on the other bars. This one fits perfectly.

    The $50 eBay G7 chassis brace will be next weekend's project. Stay tune....
     
    #1 Azipod, Oct 3, 2010
    Jonathan L likes this.
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Yup, I have one installed too and it does makes a big difference. It is a great handling improvement mod that is well worth the price.
     
    #2 usbseawolf2000, Oct 3, 2010
  3. roverguy78

    roverguy78 Elite Lurking Member

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    Any clearance concerns with the Tanabe Sustec bar? Such as the brake reservoir, and can the inverter coolant cap be easily removed still?
     
    #3 roverguy78, Oct 4, 2010
    Animull and Leon1972 like this.
  4. gigabyte

    gigabyte Junior Member

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    i too have the tanabe strut bar. it does block the inverter coolant cap, but if you loosen the adjustment nuts to can angle the bar out of the way to gain access. i got mine from evasivemotorsports.com for $97
     
    #4 gigabyte, Oct 4, 2010
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I can still remove the inverter coolant cap. It is not as easy as before but it is possible.
     
    #5 usbseawolf2000, Oct 4, 2010
  6. Azipod

    Azipod Member

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    Yes, you can still remove the coolant cap. It depends on how much you want to angle up the bar. If you leave it completely level, it blocks it. i angeled it up a bit, just as much that I can get the cap unscrewed and can put a funnel in. I imagine if you angled it up higher (provided it does not hit the hood) so u can take the cap completely off, but it might look unsighty and i'm not sure how high u can go before it rubs on the underside of the hood.

    Either way, good worth while add-on! True thumbs up for this mod!
     
    #6 Azipod, Oct 4, 2010
  7. roverguy78

    roverguy78 Elite Lurking Member

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    What about the adjustable preload of the Tanabe bar? Did you guys raise the front of the car and adjust the bar, or simply install the bar with wheels on the ground?
     
    #7 roverguy78, Oct 4, 2010
  8. Azipod

    Azipod Member

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    Per the Japanese printed instructions that came with the Tanabe bar, the photos do not seem to suggest that you need to raise the car to install.
     
    #8 Azipod, Oct 11, 2010
  9. Azipod

    Azipod Member

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    #9 Azipod, Oct 11, 2010
  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I'm thinking of going for the Tanabe strut tower bar and doing this mod. Can somebody tell me the exact tools I'll need for dis-assembly/reassembly? Where can I find a DIY for this specific bar? I'm so unhandy it's not even funny..Yalls installed this in an hour, I think it'll take me 10.
     
    #10 macmaster05, Apr 7, 2011
  11. Azipod

    Azipod Member

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    "GadgetDad" had an excellent write up with spectacular photos -- it's somewhere online here.

    I followed his instructions and got it done witin 2-hours and I took my sweet time. It was a fun, easy, slighty intensive but not difficult project. I had a great time doing it on a weekend morning!
    GOod luck!
     
    #11 Azipod, Apr 7, 2011
  12. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Thanks azipod. I've actually browsed through Gadget Dad's write up, but I'm still not sure what tools I need exactly. Quite honestly it looks a little daunting.

    The last thing I want to happen is to be mid-way through the mod, realize I don't have the right tool and bam - I'm stuck. Or, run into a step that makes me turn and scratch my head and bam - I'm stuck. Or similarly, run into a step that makes me worry that I'll break/destroy my car's parts and then bam - I'm stuck. These are my fears. :( Any steps like that? I've never done this before.
     
    #12 macmaster05, Apr 7, 2011
  13. Azipod

    Azipod Member

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    You'll need the appropriate-sized socket wrenches to do the bolts on the strut-tower and the remove the bolts that hold down the windshield wipers along with several other bolts in that area. You'll also need a reg size flat-head screw driver to take off some clips and to remove the electrical harness connector for the windshield wipers. Finally, you'll need whatever tools you need to adjust and tighten up the strut-tower bar.

    It's pretty much just standard tools. If you have sockets ranging from 10mm - 14 mm I think you will be fine. Then just make sure you have whatever tools needed based on whichever strut-bar you decide to use. I believe the Sustec tanabe bar will require a Hex wrench to tighten the bolts that attach the bar to the strut-tower brackets.

    If you get stuck, you can always run to the hardware store to get what you need. The only thing that will be missing from your car will be the windshield wipers and the lower panel. You'll be fine as long as you don't do it on a rainy day! :-D
     
    #13 Azipod, Apr 7, 2011
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  14. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    Mac - I agree with Azipod. I did the install myself on the Gen III. At first it is a bit daunting, but if you don't rush it, you'll be fine. Sockets are a must, especially the range that Azipod mentioned. And the Tanabe does require a Hex wrench (forgot what size though). I did review GadgetDad's DIY instructions, and they are very thorough! I know he used a torque wrench to tighten the bolts to the exact torque setting but that's being VERY thorough.
    Go for it man... think of this as your initiation into self-modding your Prius. You'll have a greater sense of self-accomplishment. :)
     
    #14 HI MPG, Apr 8, 2011
  15. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    Does anyone have the C-ONE strut tower bar?
     
    #15 a_gray_prius, Apr 8, 2011
  16. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    True. Every mod I've done has been relatively easy. Changing the fog bulbs. LED lights. Shark fin. Plastidip, lol.

    Tint and spring installation was done professionally.
     
    #16 macmaster05, Apr 8, 2011
  17. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi Azipod,

    The Toyota engineers did not skrimp. They used ultra high strength steel (which I have had personal injury free car totalling collision experience thereof).

    The problem with most high strength alloys is that the modulous is the same as lower strength alloys of the same base metal. So, if you design something lighter, out of stronger material, its done with less material. And the result is a more springy structure.

    Luckily these aftermarket bits and pieces resolve those issues.
     
    #17 donee, Apr 9, 2011
  18. terrylowe

    terrylowe Junior Member

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    OK...this post did it for me. I ordered mine. it was indeed $97 at EvasiveMotorSports, but the shipping was $33. I will let you know how it goes.
     
    #18 terrylowe, Apr 11, 2011
  19. billnchristy

    billnchristy Active Member

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    My strut bar came in today and I won't be able to get it in until Saturday morning...I have a feeling I am going to be waking up early to get on the job.
     
    #19 billnchristy, Apr 14, 2011
  20. qmtran

    qmtran Junior Member

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    You cannot really tell the difference w/ and w/o strut tower bars unless you are really pressing the car at or around 70% of its limit, ie racing it. Your chassis doesn't flex much at normal street and highway speeds. You might be able to tell over speed bumps, but that's about it for normal use. So unless you guys are going through turns at over 70+ MPH or hitting hairpins like no tomorrow, it is all a placebo effect.
     
    #20 qmtran, Apr 22, 2011
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