Re: Strut tower bar purchase

["Michael & Carmen Keith" <mikeandcarmen@pdq.net>]

I have a question about upper stress bars.  My strut bearings started going
bad after 10,000 miles.  They were replace under warranty.  Of course, this
took three trips to the dealer complaining of a looseness in the steering.
I was told that nothing was wrong after each of the first two visits.  Then,
I paid the guy who sets up the suspension on my race car to diagnose the
problem with my Jetta.  Armed with this invoice, I was able to get the
dealer to replace them along with the struts themselves.

Anyway, I'm straying from my point.  I know that strut bearing are a weak
link on A1 & A2 cars, but I thought the bearings on the A3 cars were
supposed to be an improvement.  I don't want to have to replace them again
after another 10,000 miles.  Therefore, I'm wondering if an upper stress bar
in the front will help reduce the amount of stress placed on the strut
bearings.  Also, I'm concerned that a front stress bar will increase
understeer.  My suspension is completely stock, & I won't be able to afford
to modify it for a while.  Any comments would be appreciated.

Alternately, is there anyone out there making strut bearings out of delrin
or urethane?

Michael Keith
Pasadena, TX
'98 Jetta GLX
'85 Golf SCCA ITB/DSP
-----Original Message-----
From: Talitmon@aol.com <Talitmon@aol.com>
To: jettaglx@igtc.com <jettaglx@igtc.com>
Date: Thursday, November 05, 1998 4:44 PM
Subject: Strut tower bar purchase


>Does anyone know of any good mail-order places
>that I could order an Autotech front upper stress bar?
>
>I am looking to pay less than the suggested retail of
>$124.95, I think it's that much.
>
>Thanks.....
>Talat
>97 GLX
>Blk/Blk