Just bought a new '07 sedan and notice when enter or leave a driveway at an angle or other pavement irregularity that the body flexes producing an audible groan. I've heard that strut tower braces help with this and improve handling as well. Would be interested in hearing about anyone who has installed one or had one installed and the results afterward. Also would like to know the particulars as to brand and cost.

Thanks, in advance.

S

 

I have yet to experience a body flex groan, but I also know that this car isn't a race car, not the stiffest chassis...

BUT, I'd like to get a stb anyways, the funky engine bay with all that plastic covers will make a clean fitting stb difficult, but I'm sure someone will make one (if not already)...

 

i have one of those bad drive ways too, and my car is dropped to the ground. i also here those groans when i drive off the driveway. pretty sure it is normal

 

The noise is coming from the front of the sunroof. Next time you are in your car pussh up on the front portion of the sunroof and you will re-produce that sound. I'm getting it addressed at my next visit.

 

Upper strut bars do very little for the rigidity of the chassis, they are more of an appearance thing. I guess you could always get stiffer sway bars, but i doubt any of this would help with the noises

 

I disagree. Both of my previous cars have had upper strut bars and I've noticed significant improvements in chassis rigidity. Sway bars on the other hand do not improve chassis rigidity, they only limit the amount of lean in a turn.

 

I haven't looked into the suspension type of the G, mainly because I have no intention of modding it. But the only cars that really benefit from a strut bar would be cars with macphersion suspensions, where there is lateral force at the top of the strut. In most other cases, any performance improvments of just an upper strut bar would probably be psychological.

And yes you are correct that sway bars do not improve chassis rigidity. But it is an active part of the suspension, it connects the two sides of the car to prevent independant motion between them. So in his case, when entering the driveway at an angle, you would feel the difference becasue the suspension wouldn't have as much independant movement.

 

I get the noise every time I back out of my garage. Sounds like I'm in one of my old Firebirds. I'll check the sunroof tonight.

 

Stiffer anti-roll bars will make body flex more noticable since they remove some compliance from the suspension, transferring it to the body structure.

I've found that by partially opening the sunroof, most of the noise disappears. Maybe lubricating the sunroof seal will remedy the problem.

 

+1 In my Maxima, the FSTB decreased deflection caused by one-wheel bumps etc.

 

GT Spec Bars. www.everythingG35.com

 

Those look to be for the 350z. There was someone testing for the 07+Sedan but I am not sure anything came out of it.

 

I take it back .... GTSpec announced 07 G35 sedan front strut brace on 2/14/08. Checking availability...