Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension Strut Braces?

Bobby was looking into have the to bar cut and having extensions welded in! I thought that would be a lot of work! Can you get me a few more pictures of the brackets from different angles!

-Andy

Sure Andhy, I'll get a few over the weekend.

Don't cut the bar.. It's hollow Al. and will be very hard to make longer. Plus it's gonna look like azz after it's done.. I'll show you guys how Jeff did it in my car, it works well and the brackets don't even weigh a pound each.

Plus you don't need to take out the suspension to go bolting up there since you're only tacking it in from inside the car...

Cool thanks!

-Andy

Following this thread, it looks like only Chris Hightower's rear brace does not require any drilling or other permanent modifications to install a rear strut tower brace.

Am I right?

Brian Dors
99 SVT

yup.

Yes.

..unless someone went with a piece of 1" tubing cut 1mm too long and banged it in with a sledge hammer. That could be another option, albeit an ungraceful one!

what are the main benefits of a rear strut bar?

everyone says it'll feel as if the ride is tightened, but what does it really do? Is it some what of a noticable handling difference? If so what are the characteristics of the differences in the handling department?

I have a front brace already, i'm ok with it but not as woohoo as everyone makes it to be, at least for the contour.

What will the rear strut bar do for the car? I'm still on the 95 SE stock suspension set up.

thanks ppl. Sorry if this topic has been brought up already.

Topic back from the dead!

The front bar is borderline useless on the CWD27 chassis.

The rear bar is a whole different matter. Boxing in the rear towers seems to limit body flex to great extent. Here are some benefits you will notice, in order of importance.

- A LOT less creaking of interior trim while driving diagonal over ramps and speed bumps.
- More stable cornering attitude. The car takes a set once and for all, and doesn't seem to wobble while cornering.
- Marginally better steering response, especially while turning in.

A very good upgrade overall. I'd still advise you to get an upgraded rear sway bar and bushings first though. If you could, good struts would make and even better difference, especially if teamed with aftermarket springs!