Quality strut bar?

[Bobbak]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-98-BMW-E36-325-323-318-330-M3-FRONT-STRUT-TOWER-BAR_W0QQitemZ140215385082QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140215385082





worth the money or crap?

[1996 328ti]

CRAP!
You don't want hinges on a strut bar.

[L84THSKY]

This has been discussed before, and there is nothing wrong with hinges, if it is designed properly. The Racing Dynamics is designed properly with hinges.

This bar he shows on Ebay is problematic for two reasons:

1. Only one point of contact on each side (hinge design)
2. Point of contact is NOT center on the ring, causing rotational torquing effect on the ring and possibly shearing the ring off the strut mount.

CRAP!
You don't want hinges on a strut bar.

[1996 328ti]

It has also been discussed with strut bars are useful or mere eye candy.

[H3_2.1-ti]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/92-98-BMW-E36-325-323-318-330-M3-FRONT-STRUT-TOWER-BAR_W0QQitemZ140215385082QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140215385082

worth the money or crap?


You can't be serious...

[blndweasel]

I'd be less concerned about shearing of the strut mount bolts as I would a failure of the weld where those tiny mount tabs attach to the ring...

Then again, that thing is only $10... I guess you get what you pay for.

[tiFreak]

for $10 you can't really go wrong, if it breaks just throw it out

[naustin]

I would be worried about clearance issues. All of the 318 strut bars you see have to go pretty far back towards the firewall to clear the engine. It's not like the six cylinders that just go straight across the top.

[anthonyl]

huge pos I have not used one but if you look at the 1/16th metal thats used you can tell. If your not spending 100 its prolly not going to be that great.

[anthonyl]

It has also been discussed with strut bars are useful or mere eye candy.

They are useful if they are other than that.

[gimp]

Sparco, to me, is the best bang for the buck. Simple construction, non-hinged, open center for shock adjustment, and fully re-enforces the strut tower.

[DJ Skillz 187]

For $10, I'd be surprised if it fit at all.

But hey.. if it does.. weld the hinge and reinforce the existing welds (if you have access to a welder) and you got a decent $10 strut tower bar.

[lazoh]

Just get it Bobby and let us know if it fits and if it breaks, at the end of the day is only 10 bucks.