When I got my Z about a month ago, the front strut bar had been removed due to a manifold spacer being installed. Is the strut bar structural at all? I haven't had time to make some adapter plates, and am curious if I'm putting extra stress on the chassis.

Recently started getting some clunking while turning on inclines and what not (assume tie rod end or ball joint), and it got me thinkin a little :-P.

 

According to a few people in the UK it is a very essential part of the suspension structure...

 

The strut brace makes very little difference imo, and certainly not one you would feel while street driving. I run one because it fits with my plenum - if I had to give it up to make some more power I would not hesitate to do so.

As for the clunking, I would be willing to bet its the sway bar end links. Do you have stock sway bars? And how many miles on the car?

 

Yeah, could be the sway bar links, too. Its got 50k on it. I just haven't had time to pull the wheel off and actually look at it. Thanks for the info guys.

 

no strut bar here and i can't feel any difference..however i will be making an investment into a ARC titanium strut bar very soon