GTSPEC Bars and Braces - Toyota Yaris Forums

Havoc · 02-16-2009, 06:03 PM

I just installed the front and rear tower strut bars today. There is definitely a noticeable, slight tightening on handling all around in my opinion. It holds a line a little different on uneven spots, feeling more solid actually. It seems a bit more responsive cornering. I noticed that coming out of a steep turn. It seemed to come out of the roll effect a bit faster. (no lowering or coilovers here yet)

If anyone has advice on how to install the 4 pt. lower front brace or rear sway bar, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm just uncertain how to safely go about taking off the frame bolts for the 4pt brace, as well as if I can just jack up the back and undo the bolts to install the sway bar.

Note on Front Bar: This is attached with 2 bolts only, the inside bolts. I don't know if that's how it was intended or not, but the other 2 holes do not line up. (2009 3dr)

BLAZINBLUEVITZ · 02-16-2009, 07:56 PM

i declined their strut bar when i had the others fitted due to my BEATRUSH one i had so i can't help you. maybe TREYZ got his put on and he can help out....

Tamago · 02-16-2009, 08:06 PM

what's that rear bar do, besides ruin your grocery space?

BLAZINBLUEVITZ · 02-16-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamago

what's that rear bar do, besides ruin your grocery space?

awww man

Malaya1221 · 02-16-2009, 08:23 PM

here we go...

...ease up on the kid, T!

Tamago · 02-16-2009, 08:28 PM

actually it would make a nice strapping point for a set of race rubber on the way to the track..

whooppee777 · 02-16-2009, 08:49 PM

which 4 point brace?

my gtspec front 4 point brace uses existing bolts that bolt up the sub frame and such. so i would b carefull not to mess up those bolts. although that should be kinda hard to do since they are heavy duty bolts

My mid 4 point brace i had to buy extra bolts it didnt come with the bolts. but it was easy to install both braces.

blacksandiegovitz · 02-16-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havoc

)

If anyone has advice on how to install the 4 pt. lower front brace or rear sway bar, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm just uncertain how to safely go about taking off the frame bolts for the 4pt brace, as well as if I can just jack up the back and undo the bolts to install the sway bar.

Note on Front Bar: This is attached with 2 bolts only, the inside bolts. I don't know if that's how it was intended or not, but the other 2 holes do not line up. (2009 3dr)

Dont be scured on taking out the l/r subframe bolts at once to install the front 4pt brace . Just jack the car up , and you'll see how it goes , I'm sure it does line up . I didn't think it would when I first eye-balled mine , but with the bolts out it will line up and bolt in just like an Oem part . For the rear you'll have to un-do the rear shock bolts and pull those out , and pull the shocks towards the rear of the car (ie pull them out of the mounts) and then remove the rear springs , then you just bolt the 4-bolts through the gt-spec mounts-the stock spring mounts. after you do that slide the shock back in place and slide the bolt through the shock/gt-spec sway mount and tighten everything down .

blacksandiegovitz · 02-16-2009, 09:02 PM

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13469

Never Enough · 02-16-2009, 10:03 PM

Nice setup going with GT Spec.

Havoc · 02-17-2009, 09:26 AM

WOW! Thanks for all the help everyone!

Tomago, I'm not sure how much of a difference the rear bar makes. I guess if nothing else, it's a sexy conversation piece.

whooppee777, I have the 4pt. front brace (small one).

Malaya, LOL thank you very much! I'll take that even though I'm 46. :)

blacksandiegovitz, WOOT! That's the answer I was looking for. I was just nervous about undoing the frame bolts. I've never detached a shock, so I was also wondering if it would recoil into the piston a little or something.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That will save me $$$. (Sorry I missed your thread! I was searching on strut bars I think...)

Malaya1221 · 02-17-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havoc

Note on Front Bar: This is attached with 2 bolts only, the inside bolts. I don't know if that's how it was intended or not, but the other 2 holes do not line up. (2009 3dr)

same with my 2007 3dr, u kinda have to shimmy its way in there!

Tamago · 02-17-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Havoc

Tomago, I'm not sure how much of a difference the rear bar makes. I guess if nothing else, it's a sexy conversation piece.

just don't have a conversation with anyone knowledgeable about cars and i'll agree with you there

botchilah · 02-18-2009, 02:12 PM

On my old Honda Jazz / Fit, installing the rear strut-bar made the biggest difference in tightening up the chassis, making it feel as sharp and tight as the day I picked it up from the dealership after 2 years. It mounts up the same way as the Yaris. When I took it off right before I sold it, the Honda started creaking and groaning more at the back end.

At the end of the day, people will do what they want with their own money on their own cars even if everyone tells them otherwise. Lack of common sense or a basic intuition in all of us to follow our own hunches, even if in the end we're proven wrong, somebody tell me.

I'm not arguing over what the experts say. THey are experts because they have practical knowledge and experience. But I'm sure we've all sort of played with fire (figuratively at least) at one point in our lives despite our elders telling us not to :)

Back to the braces, keep us all posted on how it goes! Before and after driving feel comparisons please!

Havoc · 02-18-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamago

just don't have a conversation with anyone knowledgeable about cars and i'll agree with you there

I'd have a conversation with someone knowledgeable about cars, just not someone anal about it. Agreed?

ChinoCharles · 02-18-2009, 08:30 PM

Tamago isn't happy unless he is poking a bear. You should see his girlfriend.

LOL just kidding T, we love you... sometimes... when you're not being how you are in this thread.

Tamago · 02-18-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoCharles

Tamago isn't happy unless he is poking a bear. You should see his girlfriend.

LOL just kidding T, we love you... sometimes... when you're not being how you are in this thread.

ok

then answer me this

how does it stiffen the rear of the car, considering it pivots on each end, mounts to rubber mounts.... mounts that don't have any force but upwards applied to them from below (they're shocks, not struts) ?

if you can explain this to me i'll drop it.

ChinoCharles · 02-18-2009, 11:07 PM

Answer: It doesn't. We know dude, we know.

I'll tell you what... I have a challenge. Post your version of the end-all guide to making a Yaris handle well. I'd be interested in what you have to say. No cynicism though! None! That is your challenge.

02-16-2009, 06:03 PM	#1
Havoc Zee Bold Novice Drives: 2009 Yaris 3Dr Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 24	GTSPEC Bars and Braces I just installed the front and rear tower strut bars today. There is definitely a noticeable, slight tightening on handling all around in my opinion. It holds a line a little different on uneven spots, feeling more solid actually. It seems a bit more responsive cornering. I noticed that coming out of a steep turn. It seemed to come out of the roll effect a bit faster. (no lowering or coilovers here yet) If anyone has advice on how to install the 4 pt. lower front brace or rear sway bar, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm just uncertain how to safely go about taking off the frame bolts for the 4pt brace, as well as if I can just jack up the back and undo the bolts to install the sway bar. Note on Front Bar: This is attached with 2 bolts only, the inside bolts. I don't know if that's how it was intended or not, but the other 2 holes do not line up. (2009 3dr)

02-16-2009, 08:23 PM	#5
Malaya1221 super duper M*******TOR Drives: 2007 jahPANIS egg(Sarao Phil) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Torrance, Ca Posts: 1,011	here we go......ease up on the kid, T!

02-16-2009, 08:49 PM	#7
whooppee777 I used to have 1700 posts View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Yaris Hatch Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 808	which 4 point brace? my gtspec front 4 point brace uses existing bolts that bolt up the sub frame and such. so i would b carefull not to mess up those bolts. although that should be kinda hard to do since they are heavy duty bolts My mid 4 point brace i had to buy extra bolts it didnt come with the bolts. but it was easy to install both braces. __________________ *First Boosted Yaris On The East Coast*

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02-17-2009, 09:26 AM	#11
Havoc Zee Bold Novice Drives: 2009 Yaris 3Dr Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 24	WOW! Thanks for all the help everyone! Tomago, I'm not sure how much of a difference the rear bar makes. I guess if nothing else, it's a sexy conversation piece. whooppee777, I have the 4pt. front brace (small one). Malaya, LOL thank you very much! I'll take that even though I'm 46. :) blacksandiegovitz, WOOT! That's the answer I was looking for. I was just nervous about undoing the frame bolts. I've never detached a shock, so I was also wondering if it would recoil into the piston a little or something. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That will save me $$$. (Sorry I missed your thread! I was searching on strut bars I think...)

02-18-2009, 02:12 PM	#14
botchilah Drives: white and red shiny things Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philippines Posts: 140	On my old Honda Jazz / Fit, installing the rear strut-bar made the biggest difference in tightening up the chassis, making it feel as sharp and tight as the day I picked it up from the dealership after 2 years. It mounts up the same way as the Yaris. When I took it off right before I sold it, the Honda started creaking and groaning more at the back end. At the end of the day, people will do what they want with their own money on their own cars even if everyone tells them otherwise. Lack of common sense or a basic intuition in all of us to follow our own hunches, even if in the end we're proven wrong, somebody tell me. I'm not arguing over what the experts say. THey are experts because they have practical knowledge and experience. But I'm sure we've all sort of played with fire (figuratively at least) at one point in our lives despite our elders telling us not to :) Back to the braces, keep us all posted on how it goes! Before and after driving feel comparisons please!

02-18-2009, 08:30 PM	#16
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	Tamago isn't happy unless he is poking a bear. You should see his girlfriend. LOL just kidding T, we love you... sometimes... when you're not being how you are in this thread.

02-18-2009, 11:07 PM	#18
ChinoCharles Banned Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OH Posts: 7,787	Answer: It doesn't. We know dude, we know. I'll tell you what... I have a challenge. Post your version of the end-all guide to making a Yaris handle well. I'd be interested in what you have to say. No cynicism though! None! That is your challenge.