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

ok,...lol... you would think i would notice these things... right ?

Thanks, Aaron !

It's surprisingly easy to miss. Never know what you might find snooping around the board!

RivieraParadise wrote:

just out of curiosity, did you end up sourcing you Strut Tower Brace at Shop GM Parts? and did you pay a similar price ?

No problems with the late response, Todd. I bought it and installed it regardless. I got the part through Shop GM Parts. I got it for $5 more than you were able to get it. I have had to put a ton of washers under it in order for it to clear the fluid reservoir. I don't know if I should keep it or not, honestly, because I really don't like the idea of such a sloppy setup.

RivieraParadise wrote:

i noticed that you plan suspension upgrades next, i was wandering if you have the Self leveling struts option installed on your Riviera? my mechanic got the front end on my Riv, all sorted out but the old girl still felt a bit loose and unstable. i was told that if the Air Struts weren't Leaking,(they weren't ) that there was no reason to bother with them yet. well, i replaced them anyway... i WISH i had replaced those FIRST, Before i started on the front end.
i only brought it up because it is the second easiest job i have Done, besides the Strut Tower Brace,
that yielded instantaneously gratifying results... in perceived Stability

I have ELC and associated parts/options on my car, which came stock, but I haven't upgraded a thing other than the brace. I definitely either want to do the struts or shocks next. I'll probably delve into replacing the rear shocks because my exhaust tips drag pretty badly on the pavement when I back out of my driveway. Have you done only front suspension work? Would you say that the new struts help lessen vibration, or anything else? It's great to get some kind of feedback before delving into things too soon.

Sorry for my lack of enthusiasm with this reply, haha, but I'm really sick Damn you pollen and fickle weather!

Hey, its all good Zach....

from what i understand from the more "mathematically inclined" members,
the added washers don't diminish the effectiveness of the brace, apparently the brace
is very stout, i don't remember exactly, but it has something to with the
Directional Forces that it is designed to handle being of a singular nature, in other words its not subject to allot of twisting/ bending etc.
i'm just guessing maybe it was Aaron or Albertj, who was explaining it before.... i'm not sure, my memory is always suspect.
but i would keep it, i can only guess that it might save the chassis some wear and tear, over the long term

Todd.

Quote :

from what i understand from the more "mathematically inclined" members,
the added washers don't diminish the effectiveness of the brace, apparently the brace
is very stout, i don't remember exactly, but it has something to with the
Directional Forces that it is designed to handle being of a singular nature, in other words its not subject to allot of twisting/ bending etc.
maybe it was Aaron or Albertj, who was explaining it before.... i'm not sure, my memory is always suspect.
but i would keep it, i can only guess that it might save the chassis some wear and tear, over the long term.

It's going to depend on who you ask, but my stance was for not using washers, but rather to crush the brace where it crosses the brake fluid reservoir, allowing for clearance. The idea is that the brace is under tension more than anything else, so crushing a portion of the tube won't affect it's performance. The only danger I can see with using washers is the possibility of snapping a strut mounting bolt - from the added leverage.

Thanks for clarifying, guys. And I feel way better now, Todd, thanks... I don't want to delve too far into the topic on here, but I think I may have over-done it on 4-20 and was just suffering the after-effects... ahh college...

Anyway, Aaron, I had thought about crushing the brace around where it is above the reservoir, but I just didn't know what that would do to its rigidity. I think I had looked through this thread somewhat to try to find an answer but didn't see a definitive one, but I think that's what I'm going to do. I just ordered the MA822 shocks so that I can replace mine that have a nice ~150k mile résumé to their name. I also haven't had an alignment done in god knows how many miles, so I'll get that done too. Hopefully, that will solve some of my vibration issues and dragging of exhaust tips and all of that fun stuff.

To be honest, I had been thinking about getting rid of the car just because of all of the issues that keep cropping up, but after looking at what else is out there that wouldn't break the bank, the benefits of keeping the Riv outweigh getting a new car. This car is like a woman... she gets hysterical usually once a month out of the blue, then calms down for a little while before she loses control again C'est la vie

Quote :

I had thought about crushing the brace around where it is above the reservoir, but I just didn't know what that would do to its rigidity. I think I had looked through this thread somewhat to try to find an answer but didn't see a definitive one,

Definitive answer #1 (crushed bar installed, tested 110 miles, avg speed 75-80mph)

Definitive answer #2 (crushed bar installed, 10 autocross runs)

*runs off to crush brace in vice*

Just ordered! Under $39.00 shipped! cant wait to get it!

Very Nice Price, Glenn !
you beat the price i paid by about 13 bucks !
i was curious if this is a private party you purchased from ?
because if it was from a retailer who might have more of them, and you wouldn't mind posting where you ordered from, i might do the Rear S.T.B. MOD. IF i can get the same deal....

thanks Glenn,
and CONGRATS !

RivieraParadise wrote:

Very Nice Price, Glenn !
you beat the price i paid by about 13 bucks !
i was curious if this is a private party you purchased from ?
because if it was from a retailer who might have more of them, and you wouldn't mind posting where you ordered from, i might do the Rear S.T.B. MOD. IF i can get the same deal....

thanks Glenn,
and CONGRATS !

Ooooh, yes! Glenn - where did you find it/them?

I went to GM parts... but just got the e-mail saying that they can still sell it but they are out of stock and it will bump the price up to $50 to get it out to me... bummer

Geez Glenn.... sorry to hear that.

But i'm not too surprised, since they had to outsource my S.T.B. order from a GM Dealership, over in your neck of the woods.

i have to admit that i am Pleased with my S.T.B.
so the 51.75 i ended up paying was a relatively inexpensive upgrade, compared to what i've spent on repairs, since i bought the car in late January.
i should add, that i love jetting around town in my Riviera , so i don't regret a single dollar i have spent so far.

i'll be interested to hear about your installation, when you "Git er' Done" Glenn...

Todd.

Seems every place you try to order will let you place the order online, give a price, then come back with the "sorry, but..." story. At least you can still get one though.

just glad that i can get it... but Ill probably get it before my riv gets out of the shop!

Well I got the STB painted and installed!
How it arived


Then self etching primer


Then 2 coats of red


Then 2 coats of clear coat


And finally installed!


and its hard to describe, the cornering is great!

Top job ma man! top job!

Thanks! If the weather is ok tomorrow after work I plan on doing the A\C compressor, then take her to a shop to have the system vacuumed and filled. Hopefully then Ill have some cool air!

Today I finished making my front strut tower brace and installed it. Since you can't really find the STS bars anymore, I decided to just make my own. No problems hitting the MC, but it does bulge the hood a small amount. Nothing to be concerned about though. No washers under the brackets.

But It made a noticeable difference as far as handling goes. One more thing to note, is that it has a MUCH thicker wall on the pipe then the STS bar does. It's very stiff.




It's not a show winning install, but I think I did a good job building it.

I like it. Nice work, Matt!

What up, my Riviera clan dudes.

I have located this STS STB but they want $65.30 for it shipped to my doorstep. I think I might pass and wait for a better deal. How do you all feel about that price?

Eh, its right in line with any others I've seen in the past 6months. Even my local yard wanted an arm n a leg

This is a long but good thread. I saw this question asked earlier but I didn't see the answer. Can I do this mod on my 95 series 1? What if any are the challenges on the 95 series 1?

I wonder how much a fabricator would charge to cut and drill the mounts and weld a fatty pipe on it. That's all it is, right?

I wouldn't call it a "fatty". A thin wall pipe works just as well, without adding unnecessary weight high on the car. The Cadi STS tube is fairly thin and light.