I have read a lot about an FSTB. How does this strut bar improve my ride (97 GLE Auto)? I hear it makes my steering wheel more solid. Is this true? I read that you can purchase a fairly inexpensive one at Street Beat. I can't find this site. Anyone know where the site is?

 

Laymen's explaination. It makes the car feel more "connected" or "solid" when you take turns. A worthwhile mod.

Technical explaination: What the bar does is make the car's suspension geometry more consistant. The car's suspension is set-up a certain way from the factory. If the car could maintain this same geometry during a turn, it would be very nice. Unfortunately when the car is in a turn the front end of the maxima(FWD & engine in front = heavy) flexs. This changes the suspension geometry and the result is a vague or uneasy feeling in the steering wheel. The FSTB braces the front end area and helps keeps this "flexing" as mininal as possible.

 

OK...However, what about straight-aways and how if affects the steering wheel itself. I read on one of the postings that it makes the steering more solid. Less shaky I guess. I mean my steering doesn't feel "solid" whether I am driving straight or taking turns. Will the bar improve this?

 

Going straight it won't do anything, UNLESS the road was very uneven or undulating. If you steering feels loose or wandering while going straight, I suspect your tires are worn, your alignment is off or a combination of both.

If the alignment/tires are not to spec, the bar *might* improve the problem but it won't be solving it. It would be best to treat the source of the problem and not the sypmtom.

But it's too hard to diagnois your problem w/o a full explaination.

 

It helps a little bit on the straight-aways, but most people don't notice. The pay-off is the sharp corners and sweepers. That inexpensive bar makes a huge difference. It is worth it.

 

You'll feel it when you are turning.

It's kind of hard to explain. Although my driveway is a short one, it's slightly curved. When I put the FSTB on and backed out, I had to turn the wheel. And in that short trip backwards out of the driveway, I felt like I didn't have to turn the wheel as much.

 

If the road is perfectly smooth, how exactly would it help? There would be no geometry suspension changes going on.

 

Well, my alignment is fine (my car doesn't wander). My tires are fairly new - all the same size and type (Bridgestone Turanza Revos 215/60). The handling on the vehicle is fine as well. In fact, I think the Maxima handles superbly on tight or wide corning. I was impressed with it the first time I took it on the highway. However, the steering (steering wheel itself)is not solid. It tends to shake and/or shimmy, especially when driving over rough roads and/or very high speeds 80+. My car only has 32k on it. And so when you say that the bar improves handling do you mean stiffer cornering, less body roll or combination of both? What does it do for the steering (steering wheel itself) or does it do anything in this particular area? I don't mind investing in the mod provided that the difference in ride will be significant or better than what I already experience. I hope I am clear on this.

 

http://store.yahoo.com/streetbeatcustoms/alalstruttow39.html

 

Hmm well it might just be a trait of maximas. Maxima powersteering is way overbooted IMHO. Shake/shimmy at high speed is a sign of wheel imbalance or rotor warpage(if your braking at the time)

The explain on what the FSTB does is contained in my first post.

 

Thanks for all of the info. After reading everything you guys have written about the FSTB, I have come to the conclusion that for my needs, it's an unnecessary modification that I can do without. The handling on my vehicle (taking sharp curves or "sweeps" as you guys put it) is just fine. The Maxima handles very well in these instances. I thought it did more than brace the car a bit more. No biggie here.

 

I recently installed a FSTB on my 98 GLE and immediately noticed a difference, especially in the turns. I see that you keep asking what does it do for the steering, and I think I know what your looking for. For me, it made a little difference (more tighter) but not a major one. I also drive a 91 Accord EX, and I have to say, that car has the best steering mixture that I have ever driven. What I mean by this is that it has the perfect balance between power steering and manual steering. The steering wheel is tight and there is no play left in it. When you turn the wheel, it holds and every drop of the turn is tight and is transitioned to the wheels. The GLE maxima on the other hand has some play in the steering wheel and is balanced more towards the power steering side rather than the manual steering side. The maxima is still a great ride, but I dont think the FSTB will make all of the difference your looking for, especially on the straight aways.

dgmax98

 

I'll tell you my story about the FSTB.

Stock: When you push the car HARD into a turn, the initial turn-in doesnt feel exactly accurate. If you hit a bump while in the middle of this sharp turn, three things usually happen: the body moves up and down(fine), the body rolls side-to-side(also fine), the body does this little wiggle on its yaw axis like its gonna slide out(not fine). The car does it's little wiggle, but it stays put. You have to learn that that little wiggle isnt the end of the world, and just hang on for dear life.

With FSTB: The wiggle is GONE. Also, the initial turn-in feels more accurate. You, our intrepid pilot, have more confidence and control.

Simple.

 

Thanks for that info. You seem to understand what I was trying to explain to the others regarding the steering on the Max. You are also correct about the Accord EX. I to had one and the steering mixture was excellent. It should be this way on all vehicles as far as I am concerned. But I have noticed that this seems to be the case more so with foreign vehicles. I thought I would have it on the Max. but I was wrong. Ah well. Thanks!

 

Does the FSTB also correct that wiggle under rapid acceleration?

K

 

Shake/shimmey? Alignment good. When did you last rotate and balance your tires? I'd do that AND get the FSTB. I've got the StreetBeat/Vibrant unit and LOVE it. The price was definetly right and you will feel the difference. You can't go wrong with it. Try the rotate and balance too.
Cheers

 

That wiggle when accelerating could be torque steer. Torque steer is very common in front wheel drive cars. It is caused by the vibrations in the half shaft during hard accleration. The symptoms are mainly the car pulling to one side during accel.

I dont know if this the answer, but it very well could be! .

peace

 

Does anyone know how to fix this?

 

My car used to shake and shimmy badly at high speeds. When I got my Yokohomas put on, the installer showed me that BOTH of my front wheels were bent. I could see the flat spots. Once they were replaced, my car ran smooth as glass.

 

I too wish that all cars had the same steering as the Accord EX. The max would have been even more AWSOME with that type of steering. I guess they went more for the plush steering rather than the tighter more nimble steering.

Later.

 

Then take it off. Then you'll see what it's all about. And if you don't notice or like it I'll buy it from for my wife's new Max. It should be OEM from the Factory and I think you'll agree.

 

It should be standard with the car. Did you miss the Executive Order on them. Once you get it, you'll never be the same.

K

 

streetbeat has FSTB for max 96-99. Will this fit 95' gle? Thats what i got...