2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Has anyone bought strut bars from EBAY?

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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 01:17 PM
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Has anyone bought strut bars from EBAY?

Just wondering but has anyone actually bought strut bars from ebay before? Cause i'm looking to get one but i just needed some feedback before i order one.

thx
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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 01:29 PM
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Why yes, I have.
It's ok.
Didn't feel any certain improvement.
Had to use the Dremmel to make it fit
Wish my underhood gunk (you know, the fiber stuff that ataches to the hood) wasn't so grimy. It's leaving tracks on my strut bar.

Cory
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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 01:32 PM
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damn. so it didn't fit right away. hmmmmm... bummer....
take a long time to make it fit?
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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 02:40 PM
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I had to take a hand file (no dremel ) to the inner ring of the braces. Maybe 1-1.5mm on the inner sides and it fits like a glove.
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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 02:50 PM
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Mine care came with one of those.. It's okay and I'm sure it works fine but I am thinking of getting a Corksport CUCO rip off for only like $80.00 so it won't look so ghetto
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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 03:01 PM
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Just get real ones damnit! I say some real nice ones are the biggest notice in handling, at least on my Supra they were. Well that and I cant wait to get the roll bar I just ordered for 260$.

Oh here are pics of the front and rear strut tower bars I have they are mighty hawt:
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Old Aug 11, 2003 | 05:44 PM
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I have em on my CRX, and they fit pretty well....took some leverage to get on the front one, and it pushes down on some stuff....but all in all, worth the 80 bucks I payed for the set of 3.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 07:03 AM
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I just got one from Ebay, and yeah, a strut bar is a strut bar. It's a solid piece of metal. No need to go spending a lot of money on them.

Anyway, yeah, doesn't fit right, at all. I should dremel out the inner rings, like I just saw here. However, if I do that, then the bar won't fit over the alternator.

Currently, the inner parts of the strut tower rings are kinda propped up. The bar is practically resting on the alternator, and when the engine runs, all of a sudden it's a bit louder, and I can feel it a whole lot more.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 07:09 AM
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That's because it is vibrating against the alt. and wearing away at the top of it. Mine did the same. A little dremel action, and all is well. Did notice the tighter steering. Careful if it is one of those hollow alum. ones- you might go too deep and hit the hollow part.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 07:20 AM
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I got mine from Ebay and it fits perfectly, I didnt have to trim or cut anything, it just bolted right up, and clears everything great. IMO a strut bar is a strut bar, its just a piece of metal that ties the struts together. No reason to pay $200 for one just for a brand name.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 07:30 AM
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Originally posted by introVert
That's because it is vibrating against the alt. and wearing away at the top of it. Mine did the same. A little dremel action, and all is well. Did notice the tighter steering. Careful if it is one of those hollow alum. ones- you might go too deep and hit the hollow part.
Ok, I'll give that a shot. It should work fine. I think I may leave the rings as is, though. Even though I can't get all the bolts all the way on, they're torqued tight enough where it shouldn't matter much.

IMO a strut bar is a strut bar, its just a piece of metal that ties the struts together. No reason to pay $200 for one just for a brand name.
I totally agree 100%
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 08:06 AM
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Brand name ones will differ due to material qualities and stiffness, but for the most part -- yes, a strut bar is a strut bar.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 09:18 AM
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I plan on getting the GReddy one soon. It can be had for around $85.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 10:13 AM
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Ummmm. A strut bar is not just a strut bar. While the name may add an extra 5-10 dollars to the part. The rigidity of a cucso or greddy is a lot greater thans ebay strut bar. The ebay strut bar is not crap but the difference is felt is you tried both.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 10:31 AM
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dude, metal is metal. When it's a 28" bar, 1" diameter, who makes it matters not.

That bar is not going to flex much, if at all, and it certainly isn't going to compress.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 10:39 AM
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Metal is not just metal. I advise you read Metal Engineering by L.E. Samuels.

The flexing in the front of the car flexes in many ways. Strut bars come in different metal types and are angled differently from each other.

In other words your saying. A spring is just a spring. Cause that what it is, a spring.

Try a ebay bar and a cusco bar and you will under stand.

The difference in both depends on what you want and quality. I seen these "ebay bars" strip paint at the two ends that bolt to the chasis.

Last edited by ERAUMAZDA; Sep 18, 2003 at 10:41 AM.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 10:46 AM
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I realize metal is not just metal. But strut bars do so little... perhaps some time I will try a better one and see what happens.

But strut bars, in general, to me, are fairly worthless mods anyway, so I don't care.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 10:52 AM
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you guys are soooo way off base. A strut abr is not a just a strut bar. I've driven the cheap ones, on my friends TII, and it was in no was a comparison to my Cusco. The cheap ones are simply not as rigid. Hence why they are CHEAP.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 11:21 AM
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Hmm... I coulda sworn that i read that if you jack up the car off the tires, it changes the suspension a tad enough were installation is 75% easier. Granted I'venever installed one, just seems to make practical sense. Just imputing what I thought I read someplace. Probably read it in the 2nd gen forum infact
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 11:36 AM
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I bought my front strut bar on Ebay for $40.00
It fit great went on with no cutting or grinding.
I did jack the car up to get proper alignment as was recommended on several web sites when I researched the install.
I think people are too quick to cut and grind rather than find the proper method of installation.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 12:59 PM
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No

Bought one from Canadian Tire though
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 01:17 PM
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Originally posted by ThinkGeoffrey
I bought my front strut bar on Ebay for $40.00
It fit great went on with no cutting or grinding.
I did jack the car up to get proper alignment as was recommended on several web sites when I researched the install.
I think people are too quick to cut and grind rather than find the proper method of installation.

I was thinking the exact same thing.. even with the Racing Beat bar you have to jack up one side of the acr to get it to fit.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 01:19 PM
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Hmmm never thought about strut bars doing so much i will have to stick one on mine and see how it feel's true it isnt a HUGE mod but still better cornering and a little more stability always make it nicer.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 07:24 PM
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YES you are supposed to take the weight off the front tires, and let the suspension rest.
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 09:00 PM
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Yes, and to top it all of, the clearancing that was done by grinding it, amde it that much less effective at doing ts job.
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