RSB Install for noobs.

[PXLpainter]

Concur. But you can just slide the bushing to the side.

I dunno about yours, but my bushings had deep grooves on the inside that get filled with grease. Merely sliding to one side and smearing grease on the bar and sliding the bushing back won't provide very long life of the lube I might think.

[mpvpapabear]

Finally had time to do the greasing. The bastards didn't put any grease at all. Got the mobil one (had to buy a jar of the stuff).

The first side was easy but the second side was a problem. I undid the ball joint too and then used a pry (rubber handle of a hammer) to get the ball joint reattached after putting on the clamps.

No more squeaks and I'm not bringing my cars to that shop again...

Thanks for the tut and the instructions.

BTW I moved it from the middle to the inside and what everyone says is right the inside makes the car handle A LOT BETTER than the middle.

I feel like the front is too wobbly now too and wonder what can be done since the Front Brace doesn't seem to do much. I'm not going to lower this thing or change from the OEM wheels.

Anything like RSB upgrade for the front besides the Front Brace?

[PXLpainter]

^^ Yeah - isn't that weird how you really notice how loose the front end is after the RSB install?

I'm (hopefully) picking up a FSTB this weekend and seeing for myself if it makes any diff at all. Most folks say not, but in most cases I've read it's either been before or along with the RSB install. Haven't read about someone putting one on afterwards.

Anyway - it's an engine dressing item if nothing else. Guess I"ll have to wait to get TEINs before I notice any real diff anyways...

[mpvpapabear]

Well definitely let a fellow drop-top owner know cuz if it does make even a small degree of difference, I'll go for one myself.

[Down2TheC]

Ditto... If it reduces the cowl shake in the least I'll put one on.

[MrMikeL]

I put my FSTB on in March and the difference was very noticeable on the convertible. The shake is reduced significantly. It really seems to tighten up the ride.

[mpvpapabear]

Was this after installing an RSB or before?

[PXLpainter]

^^ Yeah - what he said!

[mpvpapabear]

I guess it was at the same time and he does think it makes a huge difference...
http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php? ... light=fstb

What's the best price for FSTB nowadays? I'm gonna git it!

[PXLpainter]

Yeah - okay, I remember his post now.

I'll just have to see this weekend if/when I get mine installed and report back.

[Down2TheC]

Good... we want a second opinion.

[mpvpapabear]

I second that opinion!

[PXLpainter]

Okay - here's my update report...

I gave my car a good hard test drive right before installing the FTSB just to make sure I had a feel for how it handled. Way too much oversteer and uncontrollable in hard sweeping corners. Not too mention it liked to pull one side or the other in hard accel starts off the line. The sensation I feel is like having a ton of cargo in the trunk of the car and the weight is shifted to the rear, making the front wheels come up off the ground a bit.

I brought it back to the garage and installed the FTSB and took it back out.

Damn! I kid you not - it's as big a diff as when I first installed the RSB!! I can literally take the same corners at twice the posted speed with smooth, tight cornering control and it no longer feels like I have a trunk full of lead!

For those of you who haven't installed the FTSB - you really should! If you don't think it has much effect, you're wrong - or you really don't know how your car handles properly.

I'll post pics on my CarDomain page in the next couple days.

EDIT: See Reggie to get one of these bad boys... he has the best deal around hands-down. Thanks Reggie!!

[swindler]

I have the ragtop and both RSB and FSTB, but couldn't really vouch for the FSTB that much. I got both at the same time, but put the FSTB on first (took no time at all) and waited for the weekend to do the RSB.

I must say that I thought I noticed a much bigger difference with the RSB (inner hole, btw) but didn't really try driving it hard for the few days I only had the FSTB. I wasn't expecting much of a change with that one, and didn't test it the way PXLpainter did.

Or perhaps the FSTB helps compensate for a tight rear after putting on the RSB, but doesn't really help much without the RSB? Not sure, but with the pair, I will state that I like the ride a lot better than before.

I was thinking of putting the OEM FSTB back on just to see the difference to help out with this topic, but now that may be mute.

Glad to hear it's a good combination. At least it makes me feel the extra $ was worth it.

[swindler]

I was looking for threads on replacing the stock 215/55R17s with 235/50R17s on Gen 2 with stock wheels/suspension, and ran across this short discussion on the FSTB. mmcdonald was definitely describing what PXLpainter felt. Of course, slingshot disagreed...

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=14480&start=14

If you do get it, down2thec, I'd love to hear your impressions.