I'm really interested in getting a front strut bar for my 04 Max but can someone tell me the difference between the stillen bar which goes for nearly $150 and the ones on ebay for less than $50?

 

well, any on eBay (especially ones listed 00-04) will not fit 04+ How could they prove it was designed for an 04? It has completely different dimensions under the hood. Of course you could be the first to test it for us and let us know. Make them warrant full price that it fits and try it. I bet they won't.

04 Stillen is made for the Altima and later found out it "fits" the Maxima. some have perfect fit, others too high or too low.

 

What about from Cattman Performance? Do they have any front strut bars or rear sway bars available?

 

there is one right now.......... stillen......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

 

progress (via Cattman) just made us a fantastic RSB. (look for the recent thread or pm Cattman) I installed it a week ago and love it. I'm hoping they get started on the FSTB.

 

According to Stillen it'll fit.

http://stillen.com/Sportscars_detail...d=43823&page=1

 

according to some members who actually own it, it almost fits. Either rubs the manifold, rubs the hood, or fits. i suppose 1/3 odds isn't too bad.

 

I just messaged Cattman about the rear sway bar and hope they're in the process of coming out with the FSTB. I'm kinda skeptical about the stillen FSTB though due to fitment issues.

 

My Stillen fit just fine. No issues.

 

And that would be why I don't have it yet. Unfortunately, they're the only kid on the block with a ball now.

And upon further review, I'm thinking that's why the guy is getting rid of it.

 

my stillen fit perfectly as well no issues

 

I'm goin to wait for Cattman to come out with something before buying Stillen's

 

No probs with my Stillen.

 

My Stillen rubbed when backing up when I first installed it. Now it barely rubs when I back up. Not noticable.

 

1Hot: Ur ride looks really sharp!!!!

 

2nd that. Like those wheels, what are they? Thanx.

 

I believe they are Axis Alegis wheels

 

Actually, I DID get the one from ebay... $40 plus shipping if I remember correctly. It fits actually perfectly, although you've gotta use a little leverage to get the pins in where the bar meets the part attached to the car itself, but I suppose that's a good thing, as its nice and tight.

Some of you have mentioned it rubs the manifold, which on mine it had been, only when I'd start the car and the vibration of the engine would vibrate the bar a little bit, when the car was running you couldn't hear anything. My solution was, since you could unscrew the "ends" of the bar to make it a little longer, i did that and just used some extra leverage to get the pins back in, effectively bending the bar up just a tad, and now I have no problems whatsoever.

I really like it so far, cant tell TOO much of a difference since I dont yet have the rear sway bar, but the Ebay one fits just fine!

 

What about this strut bar, since it is only 22 bucks...is it not even worth getting?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...979591771&rd=1

 

actually, lamans, thats the exact one I got... musta been $40 including shipping, cuz my total was $43

 

20 bucks to ship, so it will be 42 total


let me know how it is, i'll grab one myself then

 

i will let you know...I am going to order it now. I need to get the rear sway bar also becuase I heard you might not know the differnece with the front one. do you have to pay for this site in order to make your own post? lol...I am confused

 

Just placed my order so I will let you know after I install it. hopefully that will be easy. are there any rear sway bars let from Cattman? I saw that people were ordering them so I want to get one.

 

I think you need to have more than 15 posts before you can create a thread.

Unless you donate, then you can post anytime.

 

lamans, i had no problem ordering it off ebay... came shipped really quickly (prob since I am in CA) and had all the installation materials as well as a sheet of instructions, though its pretty self explanatory. You'll need to remove the 2 black plastic pieces on either side of the engine compartment to get to the bolts below, and you'll need to cut those pieces to allow the bar to fit through... I just used a heavy pair of scissors, wasnt too concerned about how it looked in that little area, but you can make it look nice and smooth if you like.

You'll also need to start your car right after installing to make sure its not rattling against the bar. If it is, its right in the center of the bar. I extended the end pieces so the bar bent up just a tiny bit, as well as wrapping the center of the bar with electrical tape to kind of soften that area where it touches the engine, and no problems since!

 

thank you guys for the replys. i will let you know how it goes when i get it. I also want to do the rear sway bar to make it handle better,

 

[QUOTE=chrisaust]

I have the Stillen FSB and I did not have to cut any thing off the sides. Some ppl cut it to show off the bolts and have had no rubbing problems.

 

They closed the thread I had on these questions -- no one could post an answer on a closed thread. So I will "hi-jack" this thread to ask those questions that I posed earlier (copied exactly from my earlier questions):

It appears that there is not much room for a brace to fit in the Max between the two strut towers and that there is enough variability in our cars that some have problems with the bar hitting either the engine or the hood, while others don't have these hitting problems.

This now creates a delimma. The Power Inport brace can be had for about $40 (shipped) and the Stillen brace for about $150 plus shipping. Looking at the best pictures I can find of both braces, the Stillen brace appears to be somewhat more substantial -- but is it worth about $125 more than the Import brace? No one is going to do a test of both braces, so I would like to hear from those who have either installed on their 6-gen Max.

Questions for those with either of them installed:

- What brace do you have installed?
- Did you have to make any mods to get it to fit?
- Do you have an problems with it rubbing the engine (now or in the past)?
- Do you have any problems with it hitting the hood (now or in the past)?
- What if anything did you do to the stop the rubbing or hitting?
- Do you also have a rear anti-sway bar installed?
- Are you happy with the results of the brace, did it noticably improve the handling of your Max?
- Would you buy your brace again (if you did not have it now)?

(For example, I would buy the Catman anti-sway bar again because it made a noticable handling improvement in the curves -- even before the new Michelins.)

Thanks for the help.

 

OK, lets try and get some answers out to you.
1- Stillen
2- No modifications were required, however I custom cut the engine covers to give the Stillen bracket a better look.
3- Never had a problem rubbing the engine with the exception of some AC hose they want you to slightly end back, easy to do and no problems experienced.
4-Never rubbed the hood
5-To stop it from rubbing on the AC lines, I followed the Stillen installation instructions and slightly bent the AC hose and held it in place with a thick tie wrap.
6- Yes, I have a Stillen rear anti-sway bar.
7- Yes, handling with both braces was a big improvement, I finally achieved my desired results when I installed the EiBach Pro lowering springs. However you will notice a positive different in body flex also.
8- Absolutely, I would buy the Stillen Struts again.

Closing: Don't skimp on struts, Stillens are quality made, more ridget, look better and without a dought perform better. To me skimping on quality parts is like buying a $1000 dollar stereo receiver and then try to save money by using $2 dollar speaker wire.

 

where can i get a stillen strut bar and how much can i get it for ... can some one point me in the right direction ?? and oh yea how about a rear sway bar.. where is that found?? and the price as well.. any good recommendations?? thanks

MaxJ04

 

Thanks for the answers and the pictures. Your pictures are the best I have seen of the Stillen Strut Tower brace. From them it is even more obvious that the Stillen is more substantial (better built) than the cheaper brace. The pictures on the Stillen site don't do this brace justice.

I assume when you say: "I would buy the Stillen Struts again" that you actually mean that you would buy the Stillen Front Strut Tower Brace again.

I'm not interested in installing lowering springs, and hope that having them on your Max is not part of the reason you are so pleased with the way your Max rides and performs.

Anyone else out there with either strut tower brace but no lowering springs? -- would love to hear from you, too.

 

Stillen Website

Not sure if they have it in stock tho. I ordered them in march, and i just got an email the other day saying they are in stock and will be shipping in a few weeks. I've had the sway bar for months just never got around to installing.

 

To answer your question, yes, I had the strut braces before lowering my max and loved the ride, again, less body sway in turns, with that said, NO springs considered, I would buy the Stillen Front Strut Tower Brace again. IMO, the front upper does more to reduce body sway then the rear since it tightens up the upper half of the engine bay area vice the rear which is more ridget due to the rear pillars / frame supports of the Max rear end.

Good Luck...

 

Try this link, prices are listed: www.stillen.com

 

Thanks for the reply. This all makes sense.

 

.

 

Dude, don't JACK the mans thread, post that on the classified section...

 

This does not belong here.

 

I would go with a strut bar if it has the look you like. They realy don't make too much of an improvement in our handling since our strut towers are almost on the firewall.
My opinion is to get the cheapest one that you like if you really must get one.

 

Stillen just got them in stock after several months. I think they changed the design slightly for better fit. I just put one in and I can feel the difference, quicker steering respond. I don't know about other brands, but the bar is hollow it won't do much good. Stillen may seem expensive, but I paid $300 for a Grex one for my old car.