How-To: $25 rear strut bar

DannyBoy · Post by **DannyBoy** » Wed May 12, 2004 5:32 pm

How to make a $25 rear strut bar.

First you need to get yourself a front strut bar for a 2nd gen Neon. These are easily found for ~$25 shipped on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 73076&rd=1

Next step is to adjust the rings so that they cover all of the bolts on the strut tower.
Put a dab of paint on the tops of the bolts and carefully hold the bar above the bolts until it looks perfectly aligned then set the rings down and the paint will transfer onto the rings. They will be on the very outer edge of the ring so its important to align it perfectly.

Next up is to centerpunch the ring where the paint is and drill out the holes. (I can't recall the exact size)

Now remove the bolts from the strut tower and install the bar. I put some loc-tite on the bolts for good measure.

Rotate the middle of the bar until its nice and tight and tighten the lock down bolts.

Some folks say a rear bar doesn't do much but I most certainly noticed a differance.
Some other folks think that a $150 bar is better than the ebay special. I have an ebay bar and it is plenty stiff.

Here are some pics.

Courtest of: HOTRODACR

Contact HOTRODACR with any questions!

Chris's 02 · Post by **Chris's 02** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:35 am

i know this is a mondo thread revival but do you just cut a slit in the carpet then fold it back over the rings?

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:50 am

I got a slit into my carpet and slid the bar through it...

Chris's 02 · Post by **Chris's 02** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:14 pm

oohhh ok thanks

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:57 pm

murderface · Post by **murderface** » Mon May 20, 2013 10:29 am

I used a cavalier front brace and cut the ring, 2 of the holes lined right up.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Mon May 20, 2013 6:59 pm

murderface, you have a pic of that you can snap for us? What do you mean "cut the ring"?