Suspension tower dust covers & strut bars

11086 Views 15 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Guaninr, Dec 25, 2015

ljdarby

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2015

Thinking seriously about installing a Tanabe strut bar in my new RC350 FSport- only install thing I am concerned about is the fact that both dust covers over the suspension towers must be permanently removed for the life of the install.

Any feedback from members that might advise against such a removal?

Thanks,
ljdarby

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

GearHeadPeter

· #2 · Jun 10, 2015

Do it as the connectors are water/dust proof. I got mine in today and will post a pic of the dust covers off.

Reactions: 2

soarer

· #3 · Jun 10, 2015

GearHeadPeter said:
Do it as the connectors are water/dust proof. I got mine in today and will post a pic of the dust covers off.

Which aftermarket setup did you go for?

GearHeadPeter

· #4 · Jun 10, 2015

2

soarer said:
Which aftermarket setup did you go for?

I went with the Tanabe. See pics below. The three upper strut bolts are torqued to 42 ft. lb. per Lexus service. The Supporting brackets are over 1/8" thick.

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Reactions: 1

soarer

· #5 · Jun 11, 2015

GearHeadPeter said:
I went with the Tanabe. See pics below. The three upper strut bolts are torqued to 42 ft. lb. per Lexus service. The Supporting brackets are over 1/8" thick.

Nice! Love the finish on it.

Reactions: 1

Odetta

· #6 · Jun 11, 2015

GearHeadPeter said:
I went with the Tanabe. See pics below. The three upper strut bolts are torqued to 42 ft. lb. per Lexus service. The Supporting brackets are over 1/8" thick.

Did you install it pete?

GearHeadPeter

· #7 · Jun 11, 2015

Odetta said:
Did you install it pete?

I'm doing the install on Friday morning, and I'll post up some pics. There is a certain way the Strut tower braces are to be positioned, and the way I received it they are not correct. I'm went off of the picture on their Web site showing how each are oriented, and fixed them to match.

I'm also looking at modifying the TVS dust covers so I can still use them, but it probably be smaller to fit under the Strut bar. I'll have to see on Friday morning.

thepro78

· #8 · Jun 11, 2015

GearHeadPeter said:
I'm doing the install on Friday morning, and I'll post up some pics. There is a certain way the Strut tower braces are to be positioned, and the way I received it they are not correct. I'm went off of the picture on their Web site showing how each are oriented, and fixed them to match.

I'm also looking at modifying the TVS dust covers so I can still use them, but it probably be smaller to fit under the Strut bar. I'll have to see on Friday morning.

dont forget to post pics!!! and of course a review on it.

GearHeadPeter

· #9 · Jun 11, 2015

thepro78 said:
dont forget to post pics!!! and of course a review on it.

Will do, and I'll keep the inner speed demon at bay for as long as possible. 0

GearHeadPeter

· #10 · Jun 12, 2015

9

I got it all installed and it was not bad at all. The total install should take about 1 hour to do. I also shot a video showing what I did and it should make it easier to install for all those a bit nervous about it. Once I have the video all edited I'll post it in a separate thread so it can be a DIY.

One thing I was wrong about was the connector end being water proof as it is not. How I solved the issue was to take some Black RTV, and put it into the connector ends where the wires go into the connector. DO NOT PUT RTV into the end that goes into the TVS module, only where the wires go into the connector. This is shown in the video.

On the mounting brackets there is a single and double bracket. The double bracket goes towards the engine on both sides.

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Reactions: 1

thepro78

· #11 · Jun 12, 2015

GearHeadPeter said:
I got it all installed and it was not bad at all. The total install should take about 1 hour to do. I also shot a video showing what I did and it should make it easier to install for all those a bit nervous about it. Once I have the video all edited I'll post it in a separate thread so it can be a DIY.

One thing I was wrong about was the connector end being water proof as it is not. How I solved the issue was to take some Black RTV, and put it into the connector ends where the wires go into the connector. DO NOT PUT RTV into the end that goes into the TVS module, only where the wires go into the connector. This is shown in the video.

On the mounting brackets there is a single and double bracket. The double bracket goes towards the engine on both sides.

Have you tested it? Do you feel any improvements on the handling?

GearHeadPeter

· #12 · Jun 12, 2015

thepro78 said:
Have you tested it? Do you feel any improvements on the handling?

Yes, it feels stiffer when coming into turns like an S-curve. Before when I would come into this particular curve the car would lean, but now the car is more planted. Real happy with the results as the car is not too stiff like a race car would be.

Reactions: 1

thepro78

· #13 · Jun 12, 2015

GearHeadPeter said:
Yes, it feels stiffer when coming into turns like an S-curve. Before when I would come into this particular curve the car would lean, but now the car is more planted. Real happy with the results as the car is not too stiff like a race car would be.

I'm going to be following your mods!!! i did the LED bulb swap too. I saw your post on ClubLexus. I did it on my other car too since its a camry and it uses the same bulbs.

Reactions: 1

GearHeadPeter

· #14 · Jun 12, 2015

thepro78 said:
I'm going to be following your mods!!! i did the LED bulb swap too. I saw your post on ClubLexus. I did it on my other car too since its a camry and it uses the same bulbs.

How do you like the new bulbs?

I'm going to be putting on dimpled and slotted rotors. The rear ones are already out for $198 a pair, but the fronts are still not out yet. It's probably because it is 2 piece with rotor hat (hub), and rotor ring. Once they are out that will be the next upgrade. You get better stopping. Brembo go for $4K just for the front, but that includes a 6 piston caliper and drilled and slotted rotors, which is way too much for me.

GearHeadPeter

· #15 · Jun 13, 2015

DIY - Tanabe Strut Tower Brace Install

Here is the link to the DIY in the Suspension section:

http://www.rc350forum.com/forum/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension/5858-diy-tanabe-tower-strut-tower-brace-install.html

Reactions: 1

Guaninr

· #16 · Dec 25, 2015

2

GearHeadPeter said:
thepro78 said:

dont forget to post pics!!! and of course a review on it.

Click to expand...

Will do, and I'll keep the inner speed demon at bay for as long as possible.

Take a look at mine

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