OK. I'm not an engineer, and I'm not trying to be an A$$, but here goes.

Bradness, what's 3 x 3? Please proofread your site. 'Nuff said. :p

Otherwise, I agree that the tower bar will see tension, and often. Check this link for more "Strut Bar Theory."

Here's a preview:
Quote:
many people believe that a strut tower bar is
predominantly under compression, not tension. This assertion is partially born out in some cars where the
strut towers gradually move closer together over time. And I have heard of incidents where the strut tower bar
was instrumented with strain gauges as the car was driven around. These tests show the strut tower bar is
under compression as well as tension, depending on what the car is doing. One test showed that the highest
loads recorded on the strut bar were in compression as the car was pulling out of a garage (sideways down an
inclined driveway - we have all heard a stiff car twist under this condition).

So what is this all about? Is a strut tower bar under tension or compression? One likely theory is that it
experiences both. It just depends on the driving conditions. Cornering on smooth asphalt induces tension.
Driving in a straight line over bumps induces compression.

"Function before fashion."

'96 Contour SE