anyone removed the stut bar on their p5?
- Thread starter vw2p5
- Start date
Its more of a personal preference. Most people leave it alone, or upgrade it! Taking the stock strut bar off is more of a downgrade IMO. The stock strut bar is designed to reduce the amount of flex between the strut towers resulting in a stiffer and more responsive suspension setup. Now how well does the stock bar work...is another question.....
MazdaSpeeder
Member
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- Protege5 (5-spd)
I'm not sure why the car would handle better...it should handle worse without the strut bar.
"Myrtle" 03P5
Member
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- Mazda Protege 5
Yeah i also thought that i would handle worse.....as of right now i am stock in that area but have no complaints with the handeling because i can still whip around the mountian roads of pikes peak and other mountians here at 45 to 60mph lol
try taking it off and take your car for a spin, and let me know what you think? I thought it handled a little nicer. Especially driving it in the snow.
from much usage of "search" ive been told that the removal of strut bar worsens handlage. But once again its personal opinion, if you think it handles "better" then thats great. but it shouldnt, u should be gettin more rollage on the turns w/o the bar.
as for the question stated about how well the stock bar works....well iono dint search that.
as for the question stated about how well the stock bar works....well iono dint search that.
anarchistchiken
Member
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- 03 Silver Protege5
Taking the front strut bar off is not going to make a huge difference, but it will make the car a little bit softer as far as body flex and roll. To a driver who doesn't have a lot of experience with aggressive driving, having a softer platform will make the response less "harsh", therefore the suspension may be more to his liking, and feel like it handles better.
But really, if you're driving in the snow, I think any difference in handling is going to be imagined, because the strut bar doesn't even come into play until the chassis is being pushed hard enough to flex.
But really, if you're driving in the snow, I think any difference in handling is going to be imagined, because the strut bar doesn't even come into play until the chassis is being pushed hard enough to flex.
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- -- 03 P5 / 23 CX-5 --
Yup, placebo effect. Since it's off, get a better one & sell the oem in the FS section like others do. Conform! lol
What's the problem with the factory strut bar? I mean, I've had it off for various reasons three times in the last week or so, and it seems pretty sturdy to me. I wouldn't even bother replacing mine, unless maybe someone gave me an aftermarket one. I surely wouldn't spend any money on it.
what do you have to lose? it's a wagon man, not a race car lol
I actually like the way it handles and drives with the strut bar off. I think I might leave it off for a while, and then put this protege mazdaspeed strut bar on that I have. If I think it makes a huge diffrence, I might keep it on if not I'll probably sell it.
Hmm, never tried pulling mine to test. Will do next time I pull the battery etc.
Intuitively, since it's stock design, a great tendency to leave it. And who wants flex if you can stop it?
But it's similar somewhat to a larger front swaybar diameter. This gives more understeer. A larger rear bar would tend you toward more oversteer. At first blush, you'd want to beef up any part (i.e. hey bigger is better), but should probably only do things in BALANCE. Also, you need to find out how the handling differs in routine driving vs. at-the-limit or emergency type stuff.
I really doubt I'll leave mine off if I try this. We'll see.
Intuitively, since it's stock design, a great tendency to leave it. And who wants flex if you can stop it?
But it's similar somewhat to a larger front swaybar diameter. This gives more understeer. A larger rear bar would tend you toward more oversteer. At first blush, you'd want to beef up any part (i.e. hey bigger is better), but should probably only do things in BALANCE. Also, you need to find out how the handling differs in routine driving vs. at-the-limit or emergency type stuff.
I really doubt I'll leave mine off if I try this. We'll see.
so, yea..I removed my strut bar on Friday. It’s now Monday, and it’s back on. lolf
My observations:
<o></o>
Looser steering...i.e.; the front wheels seem to track every single line or imperfection. It seemed to pull on cat eyes and rain grooves much more than before. But, I did notice that under slow 90* turns it does feel strangely better. lol (In my car at least) In higher speed turns, 60mph and above, my car starts feels a little unpredictable. Also, I noticed a little more body roll not a whole lot, but a noticeable difference to be sure.<o></o>
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<o></o>
my 2 cents
*edit* wtf were all those smileys? I didnt put them there. lol
<o></o>
My observations:
<o></o>
Looser steering...i.e.; the front wheels seem to track every single line or imperfection. It seemed to pull on cat eyes and rain grooves much more than before. But, I did notice that under slow 90* turns it does feel strangely better. lol (In my car at least) In higher speed turns, 60mph and above, my car starts feels a little unpredictable. Also, I noticed a little more body roll not a whole lot, but a noticeable difference to be sure.<o></o>
<o></o>
<o></o>
my 2 cents
*edit* wtf were all those smileys? I didnt put them there. lol
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i think what he means by "Better" is in just daily driving
Not as stiff maybe?
To me, considering how everyoen else in other cars are adding strut bars, the fact ours came stock is cool with me
it isn't going anywhere on either of my cars
Not as stiff maybe?
To me, considering how everyoen else in other cars are adding strut bars, the fact ours came stock is cool with me
it isn't going anywhere on either of my cars
so, yea..I removed my strut bar on Friday. Its now Monday, and its back on. lolf
My observations:<O</O
<O
Looser steering...i.e.; the front wheels seem to track every single line or imperfection. It seemed to pull on cat eyes and rain grooves much more than before. But, I did notice that under slow 90* turns it does feel strangely better. lol (In my car at least) In higher speed turns, 60mph and above, my car starts feels a little unpredictable. Also, I noticed a little more body roll not a whole lot, but a noticeable difference to be sure.<O
<O
<O
my 2 cents<O
The strut bar is still off on my car. I found that driving it in the snow with the strut bar off it seems to stear better and the front end doesn't seem to get away from you when the car starts sliding. As far as turns and cornering go I couldn't really tell that much of a difference other then the strut bar restricting your turning ability and with the strut bar off I am able to corner and turn with less restriction. (call me crazy) but I like it
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