DIY Network

Scion TC: Autocross Suspension Multi-Upgrade Before Andrew Totolos is done with this Scion TC, it'll corner like a 911 and grip track pavement like flypaper. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-403

(Continued from page 2)

Tower strut bar and tools for installation

Scion Suspension Upgrade, Part 1: Strut Tower Bar

To tighten up the suspension, Andrew begins by adding a strut tower bar.

Materials and tools used in this phase of the project:

standard shop tools
front strut tower bar
pick tool
soft hammer handles
jack stands

advertisement

Andrew indicates the location of the tower stud where the strut bar attaches.

Get Tighter! — With Strut Tower Bars

On a racecar, the suspension is tied directly into a rigid frame. But on a street car, the uni-body construction is designed to flex and move, making for a more comfortable ride. But all that flexing and cushioning also absorbs energy that you could use on the track.

One place that energy goes is the front strut towers. Under the demanding driving conditions at the track, hard turns cause the towers to flex which, in turn leads the chassis to flex. This can result in a loss of traction because all the pressure is going to one tire.

By adding a strut tower bar, you tie the two towers together to act as one unit. Then, when you make that hard turn, the pressure is dispersed among two towers instead of one — thereby reducing chassis flex while at the same time improving grip.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Installing a Strut Tower Bar

The procedure for installing the strut tower bar is a breeze. It just bolts right in. Here's how to do it.

• On the Scion TC, the strut tower bolts are concealed underneath the cowl. Use a pick tool to pop out the fasteners on both sides. Then use soft hammer handles to hold the cowl up and out of the way in order to reach the inside nuts.

• On the driver's side, loosen all three nuts, but leave the outside nut on the stud so the strut doesn't fall out when the car gets jacked up. Wiggle the strut from underneath to provide clearance for the inside nut to pop off.

• Next, bring in the strut tower bar (figure A) and slide it on over the strut bolts.

• After the bar is seated on both sides, install the driver's side nuts (figure B).

• Drop the car back down off the jack before tightening all three of the nuts.

• Replace the plastic engine cowl.

• When the driver's side is tightened up, move to the other side and tighten the nuts to complete the install.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6