Tried to do a search on this but there is a TON of info on strut bars. I know the stock bar has some adjustment to it. Is it beneficial/harmful to make adjustments to it. Seems if the bar was tightened - threaded outward, that would stiffen the chasis some. True/False????

Bill

 

No. You can shorten the strut brace. Or you can make it longer. But the brace still holds the top of the strut. Makes little difference what length.

 

ok ... so why is it even adjustable? if making it longer (threaded outward) does no good, how is a aftermarket one beneficial unless the stock one flex's???

Bill

 

If you look at the OEM strut brace, it does not hold the top of the strut. You could call it a strut tower brace. Is a aftermarket brace better than the OEM brace? No.

 

It's adjustable to you can remove it then reinstall it. Yes, it helps stiffen the front end too.

 

I looked into this recently. Here's what I found out.

Go to the service manual, front suspension (FSU) section, page FSU-20 (for 2003 manual).

Here's what it says:
I looked at the stock tower bar, and it appears that the bar should be "pushing" outward slightly when adjusted correctly. I guess this is for the added rigidity, the whole purpose of the strut bar.

 

i figured it would add some rigidity to the front of the car to some point. thought if it could be lengthened that would only make it more stiff. or would it throw off the alignment? i'm guessing no since its on the strut mount, not really the strut itself.