Scion tC Strut Bars

From SCION-TECH : The Scion Resource : tC, xA, xB, xD

There are many different types of chassis braces, with the most common being strut tower braces (aka strut bars) on the front or rear of your Scion tC. Not all cars use actual struts though the term "strut brace" is still used to describe a brace between shock towers. The upper strut mounts are some of the weakest points on the Scion tC suspension, so adding a stiffening brace between them is a great way to strengthen your suspension.

A MacPherson Strut integrates the wheels upper link point into the actual strut. A significant amount of load is located by and dealt with the strut on the Scion tC. Vertical loads from the wheel pass through the strut and spring up to the strut top and towers which leads to flex in the metal fender around the strut tower and inner fenders. The amount of flex can vary but it will have an impact on the ability of the rest of the suspension to control the Scion tC as well as the camber and toe settings throughout the compression.

Though not as noticeable or effective, shock tower braces on newer cars such as the Scions, will make a difference. The actual equivalent load point is usually an upper control arm and its locating points on the inner fender. Strengthening these Scion tC points is the preferred option.

Also be sure to check out our Scion tC Suspension FAQ.

Contents 1 Available Front Strut Tower Bars 1.1 DME 1.2 Greddy 1.3 GTSPec 1.4 Tanabe 1.5 DC Sports 1.6 Cusco 1.7 Megan Racing 2 Available Rear Strut Bars 2.1 DME 2.2 Greddy 2.3 Ingalls 3 Strut Bar from Wikipedia 4 Strut Bar FAQ 4.1 What are torque settings for the front and rear? 5 Strut Bar Resources

Available Front Strut Tower Bars

These front strut tower braces are direct bolt in components for the Scion tC. The installation is a breeze and takes only a few minutes. No cutting or alteration of the tC engine bay or cowl is required.

DME Apprx Price: $110 Part #: DME22-3051 Material: aluminum Manufacturer: DME Notes: rear bar available Installation Guide	Greddy Image:Greddy scion tc strut tower bar.jpg Apprx Price: $125 Part #: 14013031 Material: aluminum Manufacturer: Greddy Notes: rear bar available	GTSPec Apprx Price: $165 Part #: GTS-SUS-1226pad Material: ? Manufacturer: GTSpec	Tanabe Apprx Price: $110 Part #: TTB106F Material: ? Manufacturer: Tanabe
DC Sports Apprx Price: $125 Part #: CSB1403 Material: aluminum Manufacturer: DC Sports	Cusco Apprx Price: $160 Part #: 920 510 Apad Material: aluminum Manufacturer: Cusco	Megan Racing Apprx Price: $90 Part #: MR-SB-STC05FU Material: aluminum Manufacturer: Megan Racing

Available Rear Strut Bars

The rear strut braces come in different designs for the Scion tC. Each brand has taken a different approach to the design and implementation. most of these will require cutting and/or modification of trim panels below your Scion tC's trunk (inside the wheel well).

DME Apprx Price: $110 Part #: DME23-3051 Material: aluminum Manufacturer: DME Notes: front bar available Installation Guide

Greddy Image:Greddy scion tc strut tower bar.jpg Apprx Price: $? Part #: ? Material: aluminum Manufacturer: Greddy Notes: front bar available

Ingalls Apprx Price: $? Part #: ? Material: aluminum Manufacturer: Ingalls Installation Guide

Strut Bar from Wikipedia

A strut bar or strut brace is a mostly aftermarket car suspension accessory used in conjunction with MacPherson struts on monocoque or unibody chassis to provide extra strength between the strut towers.

With a MacPherson strut suspension system where the spring and shock absorber are combined in the one suspension unit, the entire vertical suspension load is transmitted to the top of the vehicle's strut tower, unlike a double wishbone suspension where the spring and shock absorber may share the load separately. In general terms, a strut tower in a monocoque chassis is a reinforced portion of the inner wheel well and is not necessarily directly connected to the main chassis rails. For this reason there is inherent flex within the strut towers relative to the chassis rails.

A strut bar is designed to reduce this strut tower flex by tying two parallel strut towers together. This transmits the load of each strut tower during cornering via tension and compression of the strut bar which shares the load between both towers and reduces chassis flex.

A direct result of this is improved chassis rigidity (similar to that gained from a lower tie bar); hence, the understeer is reduced, tire wear improved and metal fatigue is greatly reduced in the strut tower area. Following the aftermarket's lead, some manufacturers have started fitting strut bars to performance models, including the Nissan Skyline], Mazda RX-8, Acura CL Type-S, BMW e46 M3 CSL, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the HOLDEN VY II Commodore, as standard equipment.

Strut Bar FAQ

What are torque settings for the front and rear?

Front:38ft-lbs

Rear: 59ft-lbs

Strut Bar Resources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strut_bar
• http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible.html