Was Crossmember Bars, now Saltybar's effect on handling

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

On 1:12:23 am 06/15/05 "GREG DUNN" <greggearhead@adelphia.net> wrote:
>
>
> >  the only way this bar could have an impact on handling is if it
> >  was fitted to a car with a badly cracked front cross member, and
> in that case, the bar
> >  would only help to restore the suspension response to that of a
> >  scirocco with a non-cracked cross member.
> >  also, based on the unibody up front, there would be little to no
> >  impact on the alignment of the lower suspension parts, but there
> >  might be some rigidity lost in the upper strut housings - though
> >  this is negated if you have an upper strut tie bar. only the
> >  forward part of the engine bay would become more 'flimsy'. i
> >  imagine the worst effect would be that the engine would have more
> ability to rock from side to side (taking the body with it).
> >  this is based on my observations from when i cut the front clip
> >  off of the twin shell and randomly smacked load bearing parts of
> the frame with a dead
> >  blow hammer.
> >  hth
> >  Al
>
> I am going to have to disagree with you Al.  When I was replacing the
> front valance on the 76 Rabbit I had, (I was just helping the body
> guys out, as bodywork is still my weakest link) - but the front had
> taken a slight hit, so after drilling out all the spot welds and
> removing the front valence, we got out the measurements from the
> Bentley.  Sticking a long, large square steel tube down into the
> bumper-mount housing, that is welded to the strut towers.  So the
> front crossmember was completely removed, and we could adjust the
> position of the strut towers significantly with just one tug.
> Granted, this isn't the kind of movement or forces that are probably
> seen while driving, but it shows how much structural strength it
> offers to the front of the unibody.  If everything the suspension is
> "pushing" against isn't "pushing back an equal amount, it is moving
> and then the suspension isn't the only variable in handling.  (not
> that it is when the unibody is even stiffer than stock...
>
> gd
>

So would the "other bars" part of the equation may also be a factor in how
much stiffness changes, I suppose the top/bottom corner positions for the
struts can't move inboard / outboard as easly with those in place, though
it could still slip in a parallelogram fashion under twist. I'm not sure
the front bar would resist this twist anyway. Maybe somewhat as it has
those big side plates that go to the bumper bolts.


I can't remember if noticed a handling difference on mine, but the car was
having many other issues at the time I installed the bar, including a
clogged cat and a failing clutch, and worn tires, in other words,
enthusiatic driving was on hold early last summer. And to be honest, I was
driving the MkI more.

It also has an intact crossmember, and upper and lower stress bars. 

More grist for the mill...and FWIW, Im not taking the bar off. I can sleep
better at night knowing it's there, especially with Dennis pounding it on
the strip.

Cathy
>
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