GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Not sure if this is the right place or not (can one of the mods move it then if it's not?)I'm thinking of getting wheels that are 18.0 x 7.0 (those are ok for us right?) do I really need an STB or Sway Bars? TIA

they're fine! perfect fit! and no, you don't have to have the STB or sways....actually the STB doesn't do much of anything except look nice under the hood...I've good feedback on the sways though.

you're gonna love this

I have 18's and never added a STB or sway bars. No problems at all.ND

I have 18 X 8 wheels with a STB. I had that before I got my wheels. I have noticed that the STB creates understeer which is why I am going to be putting on a set of Hotckis sway bars this spring. I also have the Hotckis springs, but none if this is required if you just want to get new wheels. Good luck!

A Strut Tower Brace, is more than looks it really stiffens up the front end of the car. As for understeer, in my experience my car understeered less (or pushed less through a corner) Unless your really running your car hard through corners your not going to notice the effects of a STB on your car. You also have to have a very stiff bar to begin with. What the bar does is add additional support by tieing the tops of the Strut towers together, which in turn reduces flex on the struts. Thus keeping your wheels more frimly planted flat on the road. There are some STB out there that are nothing more than for looks, your best bet is to stay with a non-adjustable design like the TRD STB.

Triton GT is right in needing or wanting a set of sway bars. Which will also help reduce the effects of understeer through coners. I haven't put my bar on yet, but from the research that I have done on front wheel drive, understeering monsters the best combo to help with nasty understeer is a rear sway bar and a STB. They truly are best used together to fully feel the effects on your car through the corners.

If you've got the M&T do you feel that it'll be beneficial to add the STB or Sways? and so the sway bars are better but harder to put on, right?

man, when i put mine on, i had to hammer that sucker on the bolts! the frame was kinda off (or maybe the screw holes) but it took my cousin and i about 30 mins trying to figure out a way to do it... not a whole lot of space to get in there w/ a mallet. but once on, i was happy that it added that much more stability. can't wait to get a rear sway bar, thanks to psychobroker! he's so awesome!!! can't say thanks enough!

Quote, originally posted by dsegundo »If you've got the M&T do you feel that it'll be beneficial to add the STB or Sways? and so the sway bars are better but harder to put on, right?I personally don't think that having the M&T matters when it comes to the STB or sway bars. From what I understand, the rear sway bar only takes 10 to 15 minutes to install. Very easy to get to unless you run into problems like Hope (trdvibe) did. The front sway bar is another story. A couple hours to install from what I understand. And of course the STB is a quick install as well.