Tanabe front strut tower brace.

[IsLNdbOi]

Originally Posted by Herbicidal

I bought one from Garm at Micro Image and recall seeing this install tip on his web page:

Adjustable Preload:

A very common error when installing tower bars, it is always recommended to raise the vehicle when installing so that the load of the shock uppermounts on the shock towers is relieved and balanced out. When raised, and the tower bar is placed onto the vehicle, the preload can be adjusted and set. After it is bolted on and the car is lowered, each shock tower will have equal load and will prevent independent movements of each shock. This will provide an extremely noticeable difference after installing. If a tower bar is installed on a car that is not raised, great benefits will be missed.

I read through earlier threads (one in the DIY) section and it seemed that everyone raised the car, removed the wheels, installed the shock tower brackets, put the wheels back on lowered the car to the ground, THEN installed the bar. If I'm reading the above install tip correctly, the whole install should be done with the front end off the ground. Am I reading that right?

Plus I'm not sure about the preload part. Can someone school me on that? Thanks!

I hope the guys at Tanabe installed it this way on my Yaris during the R&D session. How can I tell if it was installed this way vs. w/ the car on the ground?

[Herbicidal]

Originally Posted by IsLNdbOi

I hope the guys at Tanabe installed it this way on my Yaris during the R&D session. How can I tell if it was installed this way vs. w/ the car on the ground?

I don't know that you could tell just by looking at it. If in doubt, remove the bar, then get the front end of the car off the ground and reinstall the bar. If the bar goes back on without having to adjust it, then I would say it was installed with the front end in the air. Anyone feel free to correct me if my logic is flawed it's still early and I haven't had a full cup of coffee yet.