Write-Up: Installing a Front Strut Tower Brace (STB)

I ordered it again a few days ago and haven't gotten the "this part is longer available" response yet so maybe one will reach me this time.

Abaddon wrote:

Will do. When I get the spacers made, I'll take pics. I need to go to Metrics Unlimited (they have every type of fastener on the planet) and get 4 new bolts. They can give me the exact thread size and pitch. There is nothin wrong with the ones I used, but 3 have a 13mm head and 1 has a 15mm head. I'd rather have them all matching....

I'm amazed at the difference it makes too. The Stabilizer/STB combo is light years more stable than the factory setup. I felt the difference (after installing the STB) as soon as I left the parking lot. The car feels sportier, and MUCH more stable side-to-side. I didn't realize how much chassis flex there was between the upper strut mounts until now. The steering wheel gets back to center faster after turns, and actually feels "tighter". The only downside I noticed is that the car is more prone to road crown now. Other than that, I LOVE IT

Sweet! That is some good news. From driving one of my other cars to the Riv, it feels very unstable. Especially on the highway so I'm hoping this with some other upgrades will help. Great riding car except for that. Glad it made a difference for you!

Alright... Just heard back from Patrick at monsterparts. They can get a STB but since it was discontinued he's asking $8 more. No biggie. Hopefully I'll get it end of the week. Will post up pics. *keeps fingers crossed that it fits*

That's exactly what he told me...........

I'll be searching the junkyards for one of these. There is a local place that has an abundance of caddy's for some reason. I can't remember if they were STS or the other. Hopefully the right one.

Vinny-Just make sure the years correspond to what Aaron posted above. I think it was 98+. Anything older than that and the bar will look much bulkier and not be long enough.

Yep. Check the driver door sticker to confirm the year (at the junkyard). It MUST be '98+.

DEMonte1997 wrote:

Alright... Just heard back from Patrick at monsterparts. They can get a STB but since it was discontinued he's asking $8 more. No biggie. Hopefully I'll get it end of the week. Will post up pics. *keeps fingers crossed that it fits*

It should fit fine, though a bit of tweaking could be required. You'll love the improved handling.

I can tell you this... The distance between the strut tower and the brace to clear the Master Cylinder is .575".
This is the exact amount of space I needed to fill (yours may be differrent). This leaves about 1mm of air between the bar and the Master. It took me 32 washers total (8 for each bolt). As said before in this thread, it does smoosh the hoodliner a bit, but nothing drastic. After all the measuring, the spacers should be done sometime next week. The plan is to make a "bracket" that will sit flush on the strut tower to relieve the stress off of the longer bolts. Again, I will post pics of the project when I'm done. I'd get them done this weekend, but, it's DREAM CRUISE weekend

I'm excited about getting this part on the car.

DEMonte1997 wrote:

I'm excited about getting this part on the car.

im excited about you getting this part so i can hopefully order one

I got one from my local GM dealership for about $40 and it came from another dealership in Wisconsin somewhere.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

I got one from my local GM dealership for about $40 and it came from another dealership in Wisconsin somewhere.

perfect, thats right next door. ill have to check my local dealerships first i guess.

97 park ave wrote:

perfect, thats right next door. ill have to check my local dealerships first i guess.

That's all MonsterPartsOnline is, a dealership. They have access to the GM parts data base, and can ship/receive parts from other dealers around the country. When Pat told you has had to get one, he meant get one from a different dealer. The reason they can sell them so cheap, is because that part is considered "old inventory". If a part sits on the shelf too long, the dealers sell them to other dealers for cost minus a percentage. That's how I got both my F41 sway bars for less than $100

Tyler, the dealer you check at may not sell it to you so cheap. They have every right to sell one to you at list price. They may, or they may not though. It can't hurt to check.

DEMonte, you'll love it

Just a lil FYI for ya from a former dealer employee.....

Abaddon wrote:

97 park ave wrote:

perfect, thats right next door. ill have to check my local dealerships first i guess.

That's all MonsterPartsOnline is, a dealership. They have access to the GM parts data base, and can ship/receive parts from other dealers around the country. When Pat told you has had to get one, he meant get one from a different dealer. The reason they can sell them so cheap, is because that part is considered "old inventory". If a part sits on the shelf too long, the dealers sell them to other dealers for cost minus a percentage. That's how I got both my F41 sway bars for less than $100

Tyler, the dealer you check at may not sell it to you so cheap. They have every right to sell one to you at list price. They may, or they may not though. It can't hurt to check.

DEMonte, you'll love it

Just a lil FYI for ya from a former dealer employee.....

thats why i was saying ill check around here first, i used to work at a dealer also and still get discounts. obviously if it costs more than monsterparts i would just order it through monsterparts but if theres a dealer close by that has it and i can give my dealer some business why not

DEMonte1997 wrote:

Vinny-Just make sure the years correspond to what Aaron posted above. I think it was 98+. Anything older than that and the bar will look much bulkier and not be long enough.

Yup, was planning on doing that.

I'm hoping to score a few to share with some board members.

Couldn't remember what year it was so thanks for the reminder.

Well went to the junkyard today and there were plenty of caddy's but not what I wanted.

There were two STS. One was a 94 the other a 95. Oh well, the search goes on.

I know there's a good yard in Worcester with a lot of cars. Billboost hits that one a lot. If you're closer in CT to the border, might want to give that one a shot.

Abaddon wrote:

.... It took me 32 washers total (8 for each bolt). As said before in this thread, it does smoosh the hoodliner a bit, but nothing drastic. After all the measuring, the spacers should be done sometime next week. The plan is to make a "bracket" that will sit flush on the strut tower to relieve the stress off of the longer bolts. Again, I will post pics of the project when I'm done. I'd get them done this weekend, but, it's DREAM CRUISE weekend

That's crazy! You had to put 8 washers at EACH bolt, on your 98??? I needed only 2 washers at each bolt. How the heck can there be that much clearance difference in the same model year? 2 washers put my bar flush with the brake fluid res. And I also have no "smooshing" of the headliner.

DEMonte1997 wrote:

I know there's a good yard in Worcester with a lot of cars. Billboost hits that one a lot. If you're closer in CT to the border, might want to give that one a shot.

When I've exhausted the junkyards in CT I'll consider going there. I'm always down for a road trip! The problem is a lot of the yards in CT won't let you roam around in the yard anymore and if they do have a part such as this that they deem useless/valueless to them they will not take the time to look for it or remove it from a vehicle. Sucks.

1998 Riv wrote:

Abaddon wrote:

.... It took me 32 washers total (8 for each bolt). As said before in this thread, it does smoosh the hoodliner a bit, but nothing drastic. After all the measuring, the spacers should be done sometime next week. The plan is to make a "bracket" that will sit flush on the strut tower to relieve the stress off of the longer bolts. Again, I will post pics of the project when I'm done. I'd get them done this weekend, but, it's DREAM CRUISE weekend

That's crazy! You had to put 8 washers at EACH bolt, on your 98??? I needed only 2 washers at each bolt. How the heck can there be that much clearance difference in the same model year? 2 washers put my bar flush with the brake fluid res. And I also have no "smooshing" of the headliner.

I'm guessing he found a thin washer, more like a shim than a washer. I also only needed 2 washers at each bolt to clear the master cyl and there's no contact to my hood liner either.

Nope, washers are about .090" thick....just measured. That's weird that you guys got away with only 2. However, now that you mention it.....When I looked up the car on Dealer World before I bought it, the Master Cylinder had gotten replaced at 5000 miles for some recall or bulletin of some sort. It's possible that it's bigger (taller) for some reason.

Dealer World is awesome.
Was built in Flint. Was an Execs car for 9000 miles, then sold at a Flint Dealer to the previous owner! Have all dealer maintained service records as well......

No washers used here. I was once told my 'work hardened' STB bar was going to fold up and snap like a twig, but it's still just as stiff 2 years and 50k+ miles later, even after adding low profile tires (much more shock) and lots of hard cornering abuse, including 8 recent autocross runs.

Come on, join the Bar Benders club!

AA wrote:

No washers used here. I was once told my 'work hardened' STB bar was going to fold up and snap like a twig, but it's still just as stiff 2 years and 50k+ miles later, even after adding low profile tires (much more shock) and lots of hard cornering abuse, including 8 recent autocross runs.

Come on, join the Bar Benders club!

Who the hell told you that?

Read the thread. I really can't blame those who doubted my method, just pointing out the bar is still intact, still functioning. No washers and a perfect fit.