Chucks' Strut Tower Bar

[Chuck Pierce]

Bernie

One of the reasons I chose to not use your design was the application of 
a more than normal preload to the upper strut mount bushing.  I 
preferred to try to get the strut towers back to the original position 
and adjust to spec. from there. I was originally going to build the bar 
and then have a body shop use their laser frame table to get the front 
of the car straight. The cost of that procedure was more than I wanted 
to spend. Since we have had some success in spreading the towers on a 
car and the fact that this lowered car is now within factory specs. I 
believe we have accomplished the goals I set. These cars are known for 
being a little soft in the front end when it comes to torsional 
rigidity. So this bar addresses some of that problem. (Remember when the 
Type 44 V8 was built it was given a strut tower bar) When speaking to 
the folks that I know that build race cars and modify performance 
vehicles, their opinion was that the way we spec'd the bar and built it 
was a good solution.

Both of our solutions get the cars to be able to be aligned within spec.

Just different ways of accomplishing it.

<> 
Chuck Pierce

91 200 20V Avant



Bernie Benz wrote:

>Pat,
> 
>Maybe ³ineffective³ was an overly strong word. Better might have been: Less
>than maximum, optimum functional effectiveness at a severe cost premium.
>
>A well designed strut brace doubles apparent chassis lateral stiffness as
>reflected at the upper strut mounting point by equally dividing the strut
>top latteral cornering force between the two towers. The best possible
>outcome within the chassis design limitations. A tower brace accomplishes a
>small portion of this objective.
>
>Bernie  
>
>  
>
>>From: "Patrick Anderson" <patrick.anderson1 at comcast.net>
>>
>>My car benefitted from installing a tower bar. Noticed the difference
>>primarly when pushing the car really hard but I could also tell the
>>difference in front end rigidity on my normal commute if I paid close
>>attention. Why do you think it is functionally ineffective? Many car
>>manufacturers put them on cars right from the factory and they seem to think
>>they work. My personal experience and factory know how seem to suggest they
>>are good for something.
>>
>>Patrick
>>
>>    
>>
>  
>