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Steeda strut tower brace absolutely works

sonicvato

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Would be curious of this too
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Old_Norm

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If anyone bought this brace after the OP's post, did it meet your expectations?
 
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I built my own Strut Tower Anti-Sway bar. I agree 100% with Kritas (John), but no plans for autocross. Driving my Maverick in "Sport" mode, it handles like a sports car, no kidding.

Similar Strut Tower Anti-Sway bars have been around for many, many years. I believe some of the first ones were developed when the early unibody cars came out.

Ford Maverick Steeda strut tower brace absolutely works Eds-Strut tower-Sway bar
 

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The strut brace is a part of the overall equation. On the Maverick, there's only one bolt that holds the brace in place on each side. On my Mustang, three bolts hold the export brace in place on each shock tower while 4 bolts lock it to the cowl.

My plan is to add other suspension components to get the feel that I want for fun on the street and some occasional autocross. I'm evaluating Silvers struts and springs to lower the truck a bit and improve handling. Right now, my attention is on the Mustang rather than the Maverick so I'm in no hurry.
 

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bykerhd

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After experiencing some very twisty roads near Franklin, NC last December the thought of stiffening up the handling on my 2023 XLT crossed my mind.
But, I am not sure the expense is worth it.
Curved roads down here in central Florida are more the exception than the rule.
 

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The strut brace doesn't seem like a good idea for the average Joe like me, even though I drive a lot of curves and mountains. The energy needs go somewhere. I'm thinking it's gonna put more pressure on the tires, wear them out quicker. Slow down and save your tires is my suggestion.
 

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Unibody vehicles have gotten stiffer structures with every new generation. There just isn't body flexing anymore, like there was when strut tower braces first became a thing. I seriously doubt there is a noticeable or even any difference from putting one on a Maverick. Especially one attached with just one bolt.
 
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Lane

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Unibody vehicles have gotten stiffer structures with every new generation. There just isn't body flexing anymore, like there was when strut tower braces first became a thing. I seriously doubt there is a noticeable or even any difference from putting one on a Maverick. Especially one attached with just one bolt.
I have to agree, especially if it's primarily a street-driven vehicle. I've added strut bars to various cars over the years, used both on the track and on the street, and can't say I've ever been able to "feel" a difference from that alone. But parts can have a placebo effect. As long as a person feels it was worth their cash, that's what matters. I think I've bought a few too many aftermarket parts over the years that had questionable or no benefit, it has made me more cynical when it comes to promises of performance gains.

Long long ago, I suspect that the strut tower brace gained popularity when cars had larger engine compartments and the shock towers were a significant distance away from the firewall. A '66 Mustang as an example:

Ford Maverick Steeda strut tower brace absolutely works brandons_car_001_


And when it was body-on-frame construction with most cars back then, the inner sheetmetal may not have been built as stiff & rigid because it didn't need to be (where a unibody car does).

Compare that to the Mav:
Ford Maverick Steeda strut tower brace absolutely works 017-2022-ford-maverick-hybrid-review


I haven't looked closely under the plastic trim, but I wouldn't be surprised if the backsides of the strut towers are incorporated right into the firewall. I expect that the firewall would be a pretty good strut tower bar.

Plus, wouldn't the rubber in the top strut mounts flex more than any steel would? Adding a bar doesn't address all the compliance from that and from the suspension's other rubber bushing squishy parts. I've had a car in the past where I replaced every rubber bushing with Delrin, added camber plates, and a strut bar and that made a heck of a difference that could be felt. But not all in a good way. That car on an imperfect road could knock your fillings loose.
 
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ejouie

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In sorry but I know we are talking about a ECO But with a FWD hybrid would it help or with it being FWD its already handles better ❓ Sorry if this seems to be a dumb question. 🤔🤐
AWD has a different rear suspension (multi link) compared to FWD (torsion beam). Multi link is the better handling performer, but a torsion beam is a lot cheaper, lighter, and less complex.

FWD also has more front weight bias so changes made to the front suspension should be even more noticeable.
 

Rileyotta

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I have a stock (for now) XLT, AWD eco and the handling on this truck is terrible, especially compared to my former rides: a lowered F150 and a heavily modified Miata. I was skeptical, but for ~$100 I bought a Steeda strut tower brace and man does it work! The entire front end is tighter and the truck doesn't feel like it's diving when cornering. I'll eventually lower the Mav and install a better rear sway bar (Goodwin set up) to take it to the next level, but this one mod already made a huge improvement.

20230914_101257.jpg
I have a stock (for now) XLT, AWD eco and the handling on this truck is terrible, especially compared to my former rides: a lowered F150 and a heavily modified Miata. I was skeptical, but for ~$100 I bought a Steeda strut tower brace and man does it work! The entire front end is tighter and the truck doesn't feel like it's diving when cornering. I'll eventually lower the Mav and install a better rear sway bar (Goodwin set up) to take it to the next level, but this one mod already made a huge improvement.

20230914_101257.jpg
Does a strut tower brace reduce the lifespan of your shocks or struts in any way?
 
 







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