New aFe strut tower brace

[MikeyP]

And let's not forget, it makes changing the oil filter a snap.

Haha, the space the Steeda brace allows underhood is definitely a top reason to get it. I understand it's an Explorer and it's not truly needed, but Ford should be embarrassed with that paper-thin factory "brace". I was able to easily fold it several times to throw out.

 

[UNBROKEN]

You're right, it may lead to "somewhat" more rigidity. Like as in pretty much imperceptible. For those who've actually looked at the structure of the shock tower and firewall system/castings on the ST, you'll see what I mean. None of the braces I've seen will have any measurable effect on left-to-right or front-to-rear torsional rigidity. In simpler words, as you corner,due to to the loading of the suspension, you impart a twisting motion from left to right (one shock tower tries to move up the other down). That design won't limit that.

The other force to consider is where one shock tower wants to move backward and the other forward (like cornering under braking or acceleration). It won't address that situation either.

As designed, it will only help inhibit the shock towers from moving toward each other (compression- both wheels hitting a giant pothole simultaneously) or moving away from each other (tension- both wheels leaving the ground simultaneously). I don't see where it will make any difference in "improved response" or "better handling".

It does look nice underhood though.

Say it louder for the people that think it helped their handling. lol
The way the car is built plus the 2 big tubular bars that triangulate the strut towers and firewall are doing all the work. These are dress up pieces…nothing else. I built my own just for the hell of it.
40 bucks for a extruded eBay bar and hardware and a couple hours of my time with some flat stock and a welder.

 

[MikeHTally]

Looks like they used red vines licorice to hold it together and painted over it View attachment 12172 View attachment 12174

Agreed. I'm no welder, but that looks like my third attempt.

 

[EDWYER]

Ford should be embarrassed with that paper-thin factory "brace". I was able to easily fold it several times to throw out.

Yes, absolute junk

 

[UNBROKEN]

Yes, absolute junk

It only serves a cosmetic purpose

 

[EDWYER]

It only serves a cosmetic purpose

I disagree.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I disagree.

Perhaps you should read this whole thread then. After that go look at your car and look under the cowl panels. All strut bars for this car are cosmetic….thats all there is to it.

 

[EDWYER]

Take it off and go drive it for a while. LOL

And stop replying to me you moron.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Take it off and go drive it for a while. LOL

And stop replying to me you moron.

I have…more than once. There’s no discernible difference even pushing the car hard enough for Advance Trac to reel it back in.. I also replaced the oem bar with a custom one that’s substantially more rigid…also no difference. The reasons for that are covered in this thread so I won’t waste my time repeating them…you can either read and learn or not…that’s your call.
In general though once a person resorts to childish insults you know they’ve lost their argument and have no actual knowledge of the subject. But bigger is better…so it must make a difference….riiiight. lol

 

[EDWYER]

the bracket design on the aFe is superior in my opinion and looks like you don't need spacers under the bracket which is required / included with the steeda bar

Yep, required for added strength.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Yep, required for added strength.

What is required for added strength?

 

[MikeyP]

The bar is cosmetic. The front of this car is all thick cast aluminum with a substantial brace under the cowl. This isn't like an old cooked-spaghetti Fox or SN95 Mustang. I like the looks of the Steeda bar and use it to hold myself up when I'm working in the engine. It serves no real performance purpose. If the shock towers could flex any discernable amount, the factory tin-foil "bar" would buckle just leaving a parking lot.

 

[BrooseDaMoose]

I’m so thankful I can read and that there are knowledgeable people here! You have to ask yourself, how much support is actually necessary here if Ford engineers used thin sheet metal you can easily bend by hand to make the stock piece? Hmmm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk