Ebay Strut Bar IS worth it!!!
Belligerent Security
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Pulling you over
Originally posted by FDNewbie
Are any of the cheaper strut bars (like the ebay one) adjustable? Cuz the R1/R2 strut bars are...
Also, I've seen one of those strut bars before, and while I don't know how much more or less effective it is, it's MUCH thinner and lighter than the R1/R2 strut bar. The R1/R2 is pretty thick and heavy. Gave me the impression that it was very sturdy as to do it's job well...
Are any of the cheaper strut bars (like the ebay one) adjustable? Cuz the R1/R2 strut bars are...
Also, I've seen one of those strut bars before, and while I don't know how much more or less effective it is, it's MUCH thinner and lighter than the R1/R2 strut bar. The R1/R2 is pretty thick and heavy. Gave me the impression that it was very sturdy as to do it's job well...
Mine is.
Bigger and better things
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Marietta, GA
Originally posted by FDNewbie
Are any of the cheaper strut bars (like the ebay one) adjustable? Cuz the R1/R2 strut bars are...
Also, I've seen one of those strut bars before, and while I don't know how much more or less effective it is, it's MUCH thinner and lighter than the R1/R2 strut bar. The R1/R2 is pretty thick and heavy. Gave me the impression that it was very sturdy as to do it's job well...
Are any of the cheaper strut bars (like the ebay one) adjustable? Cuz the R1/R2 strut bars are...
Also, I've seen one of those strut bars before, and while I don't know how much more or less effective it is, it's MUCH thinner and lighter than the R1/R2 strut bar. The R1/R2 is pretty thick and heavy. Gave me the impression that it was very sturdy as to do it's job well...
And the fact is the bar isnt going to bend. Its hollow and links 2 corners. It would bend the other strut tower long before it bent. Regardless of how cheap it is.
And whats the difference between 2 bars that cost the exact same to make but one is sold for more money ? It may look different but it gets the job done.
Want2race, my R2 strut bar is adjustable...
And I wasn't stating that one was weaker to the point that it would bend...it was more of me pointing out an observation I made and wondering if it had any bearing on the quality of the strut bar & its function. But I guess like you said, it doesn't.
And I wasn't stating that one was weaker to the point that it would bend...it was more of me pointing out an observation I made and wondering if it had any bearing on the quality of the strut bar & its function. But I guess like you said, it doesn't.
Bigger and better things
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Marietta, GA
Originally posted by FDNewbie
Want2race, my R2 strut bar is adjustable...
And I wasn't stating that one was weaker to the point that it would bend...it was more of me pointing out an observation I made and wondering if it had any bearing on the quality of the strut bar & its function. But I guess like you said, it doesn't.
Want2race, my R2 strut bar is adjustable...
And I wasn't stating that one was weaker to the point that it would bend...it was more of me pointing out an observation I made and wondering if it had any bearing on the quality of the strut bar & its function. But I guess like you said, it doesn't.
The rest was a reply to the thread and not directed towards you specifally!
Sorry about that
Want2race, no apology necessary man. I didn't take it personally 
Anyone wanna take a guess at why Mazda didn't standardize it's strut bars??
I'd understand if the 93s were diff than the 94s & 95s, since the interior's texture changed after 93, and so did a few other minor things. But just random differences in the strut bars? Sounds like manufacturing went to the lowest bidder, wherever they were lol
Anyone wanna take a guess at why Mazda didn't standardize it's strut bars??
I'd understand if the 93s were diff than the 94s & 95s, since the interior's texture changed after 93, and so did a few other minor things. But just random differences in the strut bars? Sounds like manufacturing went to the lowest bidder, wherever they were lol
Last edited by FDNewbie; May 7, 2004 at 03:59 PM.
Bigger and better things
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Marietta, GA
Originally posted by FDNewbie
Want2race, no apology necessary man. I didn't take it personally
Anyone wanna take a guess at why Mazda didn't standardize it's strut bars??
I'd understand if the 93s were diff than the 94s & 95s, since the interior's texture changed after 93, and so did a few other minor things. But just random differences in the strut bars? Sounds like manufacturing went to the lowest bidder, wherever they were lol
Want2race, no apology necessary man. I didn't take it personally
Anyone wanna take a guess at why Mazda didn't standardize it's strut bars??
I'd understand if the 93s were diff than the 94s & 95s, since the interior's texture changed after 93, and so did a few other minor things. But just random differences in the strut bars? Sounds like manufacturing went to the lowest bidder, wherever they were lol
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: California
stripped nuts
hi,
2 of the six nuts when trying to instal my cheapo ebay strut brace could not come off. they're stuck...wont budge. in fact, i tride so hard on one, that my scocket wrench stripped the nut. it seeems they're on too tight or something, and the previous owner did the same as me, because the other non-removable nut was already stripped too...the socket wrench just spins with pressure. does anyone know what to do? thanks.
was gonna start a new thread...but hoped you all would be able to help in here...
2 of the six nuts when trying to instal my cheapo ebay strut brace could not come off. they're stuck...wont budge. in fact, i tride so hard on one, that my scocket wrench stripped the nut. it seeems they're on too tight or something, and the previous owner did the same as me, because the other non-removable nut was already stripped too...the socket wrench just spins with pressure. does anyone know what to do? thanks.
was gonna start a new thread...but hoped you all would be able to help in here...
proper motoring
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 1
From: USA
lots of people seem to have had this issue installing strut bars (notice, this is not just an ebay thing, its a car thing). there were a few other threads going around about this kinda stuff lately. personally, i would plan on soaking them with liquid wrench for a while before you do this, just like anything else. they are exposed to all that engine bay heat too, don't forget. you should go to sears and get one of those stripped nut/bolt remover kits. good stuff there, then you'll just have to find some new nuts (that sounds funny 
)
)
Olympic Muff Diver
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
i got my strut bar from yanni but it was missing two nuts. and i couldnt find that size at the stores around here. so i ordered a $5 strut bar from ebay to get the nuts. it specifically says 93-95 rx-7 on the auction AND the box. but it is way too big and has FOUR holes AHAHHAHA.
Perpetual Rebuilder
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
proper motoring
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 1
From: USA
blueskaterboy, i had that exact same problem... so i bought a second one from someone on the forum just to get the tower mounts... i like my bar, its nice, polised and oval... will bastardize the two of them.
to all out there, dont buy an ebay one from EVOVECTOR he doesn't have what he claims he's selling
to all out there, dont buy an ebay one from EVOVECTOR he doesn't have what he claims he's selling
Perpetual Rebuilder
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, Washington
Originally posted by jxc-rex
I just got mine today. Made the mistake of getting one from EVO VECTOR, wish I had seen this a week ago. None of the mounting points match up. That's why you don't but a $6 strut bar.
I just got mine today. Made the mistake of getting one from EVO VECTOR, wish I had seen this a week ago. None of the mounting points match up. That's why you don't but a $6 strut bar.
Seriously though - leave that punk some negative feedback so more people dont buy from him.
Here is the guy I bought from - drivingear.
Dont know if he has an fd bar for sale but feel free to search this link for yourself.
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ort=3&since=-1
Shawn
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: California
hi all, i bought a stripped nut/bolt remover set from sears. that did the trick. i spent the last week trying everything upto vice grips...completely rounding off the darn nuts...
but that craftsman set from sears grips like a...i leave the anaology upto you.
but boy it works great. i found some replcement nuts at lowe's.
but that craftsman set from sears grips like a...i leave the anaology upto you.
but boy it works great. i found some replcement nuts at lowe's.
Full Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA
Here are some pictures of my Meagan's Racing Strut bar I got off of ebay. 10bucks +15 shipping This thing is solid and is adjustable. Looks pretty good too, i'll try to get some pics once its installed.
None
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis
I wonder what the catch is. Nobody could honestly manufacture a part like this and sell it for $10 in a market as miniscule as the FD. It must match up with the shock tower pattern of some mass produced car and these are excess stock or batches that didn't pass QC and were basically being thrown away.
I haven't seen one in person and I don't know a thing about them other than what's in this thread so don't take it as an insult but you can't get someone to print a full color box up for that price unless the volume is huge. I'm guessing an Ebay seller isn't selling 50,000 of them either.
Kevin T. Wyum
Although it's not always true, you normally do "get what you pay for." It's a lesson I've learned the hard way by throwning a lot of cheap crap away over the years and having to buy another real one after.
I haven't seen one in person and I don't know a thing about them other than what's in this thread so don't take it as an insult but you can't get someone to print a full color box up for that price unless the volume is huge. I'm guessing an Ebay seller isn't selling 50,000 of them either.
Kevin T. Wyum
Although it's not always true, you normally do "get what you pay for." It's a lesson I've learned the hard way by throwning a lot of cheap crap away over the years and having to buy another real one after.
Bigger and better things
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: Marietta, GA
That center section of the bar is probaly used in 5-10 different cars. So they make thousands of mid sections and a few ends.. Or perhaps the ends fit another car and the bar in the middles different.. Just combinations of parts!
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 10
From: San Lorenzo, California
Exactly, Kevin!
I would also like to point out that anyone who thinks that a bar like the Megan racing one above is equal in quality to the R1/R2 bar is smoking crack. I'm sure that, performance wise, they are essentially identical, but not quality or looks-wise.
I would also like to point out that anyone who thinks that a bar like the Megan racing one above is equal in quality to the R1/R2 bar is smoking crack. I'm sure that, performance wise, they are essentially identical, but not quality or looks-wise.