Hi ALL Hyundai Matrix Owners and Mechanics....

I own a 2004 Hyundai Matrix. I've read articles on Strut Bars and am convinced on it's usefullness. This is where my problems begin:

I've tried 3 brands so far. 3 different retailers, 1 same problem!

The 3 brands I tried were Korea Moters (Korean), Pro-Car (Malaysian) and Ultra-Racing 4-point Strut (Malaysian).

After installation, there will be a irritating 'crickerling' sound everytime my car travels over uneven terrains or even a hump.

Before even suggesting the possible problems. Please allow me to share what it isn't!

1. It isn't that the Struts are not tightened down enough. 3 different retailers can testify to that.

2. It isn't that they didn't remove the metal washers that came with the stock car.

3. It isn't that the Strut is hitting on any movable engine parts (like the air-filter valve etc)

4. It isn't that we didn't add washers (rubber and metal)!

5. Nope, it isn't the suspension cos without the struts, it doesn't make any noise!

So what could it be? One idea I had was to change the nut that bolted the Strut to the car frame (to the suspension). Do you think that will help? It's the only solution I have thought up with.

The 3 retailers of the Strut Bars mentioned above felt so bad that they couldn't solve my problem that they refunded my monies and took back the Strut before I even suggested it! Pity! I really liked the Ultra Racing 4-Point Strut especially because it is white and matches my car! Also, I know it's useful cos of that *^#~ 'crickerling' sound!

There is still one more hope! Alutec will be rolling out their Carbon Fibre Strut for Hyundai Matrix soon and I wanna make sure that they have no excuse to sell it to me, return my money and take it back!

Please help! Thanks!!

This post has been edited by josephneo: Feb 11 2007, 02:56 PM

Hi, i've no experience with any struts as yet but logic tells me that it might be a case of under-tightening of the bolts or over tightening.

it's a case of metal rubbing against metal. did the isntaller tried applying some oil/grease to the contact point?

i have similiar experience with my bike saddle when i tighten them on my bike saddle post. some oil usually helps with the irritating click click sound!

Hey Stupe!

Thanks for that suggestion! I'll keep it in mind jez in case the next Strut I install causes the same problem again!

Anyone else in this forum have any other ideas?

:auto:

This post has been edited by josephneo: Dec 30 2006, 12:58 PM

Hey Everybodies!!

It's done! And success on the first try!

:460: NO 'CRIKERLING' NOISES!! :banana:

The newly re-introduced Alutec Matrix Strut Bar in the Singapore market was installed into my 2004 Matrix successfully and guess what? Grease and Rubber washers not required!!

One thing I like most about the Taiwanese Strut is that it is extremely light! Although I had to follow up with Jude from Motorex (the agent for Alutec), he was very helpful in bringing it down to Stamford Tyres where my strut bar was installed.

I understand that this Strut Bar was taken off the market for a period because it didn't quite fit the later models Matrix. Furthermore, it is not Carbon Fibre as I was led to believe. So I am not recommending it to every Matrix owner thinking about a Strut Bar.... But here's the thing.... NO harm giving it a try!!

Thanks again Stupe and everyone that has tried to help.

This post has been edited by josephneo: Jan 26 2007, 12:43 PM

Mind to share with a picture on the strut bar?

Dude!

Be happy to!

:57:

This post has been edited by josephneo: Jan 30 2007, 10:05 AM

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Hi there.

I installed mine sometime back. Made by Speedworks, Kuala Lumpur. Under HotBits brand.

No clikerling prob for me. Wish it was a 4-point tho' as I have to go on winding roads to n from work daily.

However, yours is much nicer in appearance...

Happy driving, friend... :thumbsup:

Hey Dream!

No kidding! Malaysia has made some pretty cool Strut Bars!!

Of course, the coolest I've seen (in Singapore) is the "Made in Malaysia" Ultra Racing 4-pt Strut Bar for our Hyundai Matrix.

SO SAD!! It made that noise!! Here's a pic I found on their (Ultra-Racing) website.... Ain't it Cool?!? Now imagine how matching it will be with a Matrix in Noble White (which mine is!)

Enjoy!! :w00t:

This post has been edited by josephneo: Feb 11 2007, 02:41 PM

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Hey Sting!!

Saw your ride in 'Garage'. Dude! It's totally awesome!!

:w00t:

Aniwaes, I guess I'm sorta of an 'expert' on strut bars in Singapore cos of the number of Struts that was installed and removed from my vehicle!

:grin:

Sting, thanks for your PM. Please allow me to share my personal experience in finding a Strut Bar for my Matrix. I guess it will be more helpful for Matrix Owners in Singapore should they be looking for a Strut for their 'pride and joy'.

I actually read about Struts from Magazines. One magazine in particular that I would 'shout out' to all Matrix owners (in Singapore) who are thinking about 'Modification' and 'Customization' is "HOT STUFF" (See attached)

The reason for looking out for choices of struts through magazines is that if you were to approach any shop, they will only recommend what they carry in stock! For example, Tong Lee Wee Auto at Alexandra Road (Near Komoco <our local Hyundai agent>) do most of the simple modifications for Komoco from Rear Spoilers to Window Visors.

Tong Lee Wee does strut bars too! However, I found they only carry the lower end strut bars (Korea Moters, Pro Car etc). These cost anywhere from S$70-S$90. I'm not too impressed by these though cos these struts actually cover our wiper fluid container. That is to say that there could be some difficulty removing our wiper fluid container cover. The first Strut by Korea Moters that I installed was done in such a way that there was no room for the cover to be opened except by removing the Strut first! Ridiculous!!

After removing Korea Moters and Pro Car because of the 'crikerling' sound, I continued my research on Strut bars. HOT STUFF has a regular advert for SILENT PRO SHOP at Commonwealth Carmall. Being a newly opened Car Body Shop, I decided to give it a visit. It was there that Alan introduced ULTRA RACING Strut Bar to me. I loved it! Especially the 4 point strut bar (See above picture). Actually, I understand that the distributor for Ultra Racing is E-Rev Motor Sports in Eunos.

Ultra Racing '2 point' costs about S$120 and the '4 point' costs about S$150 including installation. Sting, if you don't already have a good looking, effective and little maintainance strut, I will look no further than the 4 point Ultra Racing Strut. Especially if I had an aggressive machine like yours!!

:devil:

SILENT PRO SHOP also carries Alutec (Please see above). However, at the time of installing and removing my Ultra Racing (again because of the 'crikerling' sound), Alutec had removed their Matrix Strut Bar model from the shelf. I understand later that it is because it didn't quite fit the later models Matrix.

So I called the local agent for Alutec <MOTOREX AUTOWERKZ> (again, the contact for which was provided by HOT STUFF magazine). They told me (via email) that they will only release the new Matrix Strut Bars at a later date. After a few follow up calls and when they finally told me that the shipment has arrived, I arranged to have it installed at Stamford Tyres. They cost about S$188 and, so far (knock on wood), It is working fabulously!! (i.e. NO CRIKERLING NOISE!!)

So there you have it, Sting.... My approximately 6 months journey just to get a metal bar in my buggy!! I hope your journey isn't/wasn't as eventful as mine.

To all local Matrix Strut Hunters, just a gentle reminder to bargain!! The prices I have quoted are all RRPs (asking price). Another thing, don't say, 'no' to any of the Struts I have tried unsuccessfully. I understand that my situation of the 'crikerling' noise is not a usual thing with every Matrix that installs a Strut.

Sting, I hope me sharing this is helpful to you. Although it is mentioned mostly in the local context. Drop a line and maybe a pic when you have your Strut Bar installed (or if you already have one installed). Cheers to you and your awesome machine!

:beer:

NB- Guys, the above is only an account of my personal experiences and does not in any way reflect any recommendation or endorsement to purchase and therefore, don't be a joker and think you can hold me responsible arh!

:bwekk:

This post has been edited by josephneo: Feb 11 2007, 03:01 PM

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Hi Joseph,
Sorry for my ignorance, what is the function or propose to install the Strut Bar? :beer:

Hey Silverm,

No worries! I sorta guessed that sooner or later someone will ask me that!

I am no stranger to customizing my own ride. It is that great feeling that although our Matrix is so common in Singapore, it is still different. It either looks different, functions differently or our engine performs better.

But a STRUT BAR doesn't make your car look drastically different (unless, of course, if you drive with your bonnet open :P ). It doesn't drastically improve the handling of your car because of our limited transport usage in Singapore (i.e. it is most likely that we use our buggy to drive from point A to B rather than for offroad or racing purposes). Neither does it it make our Matrix any zippier!

So why a Strut Bar?

:unsure:

Our Matrix in Singapore comes with a front MacPherson strut suspension system where the spring and shock absorber are combined in the one suspension unit, the entire vertical suspension load is transmitted to the top of the vehicle's strut tower. A strut tower is not connected to the main chassis rails. For this reason there is inherent flex within the strut towers relative to the chassis rails.

A strut bar is designed to reduce this strut tower flex by tying the two strut towers together. This transmits the load of each strut tower during cornering via tension and compression of the strut bar which shares the load between both towers and reduces chassis flex.

A direct result of this is improved chassis rigidity. Hence, the understeer is reduced, tire wear improved and metal fatigue is greatly reduced in the strut tower area.

I hope that helps, Silverm.... Maybe I'll see ya on our roads someday!

:auto:

This post has been edited by josephneo: Feb 19 2007, 04:07 AM

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for the explaination, and thanks for sharing the knowledge.

Happy New Year, hope it not to late... :beer:

Guys!

A Strut Bar is sometimes known as Drift Bar. I'm sure you probably already heard about 'Drifting'.... The Evos, the AEs, The Skylines.... But have you heard of a Hyundai Matrix doing the 'Drift'?

I came across this clip at youtube! It's obviously Singaporean and I speculate that Trays were put under the rear wheels for the drift. But I'm pleasantly surprised that the Matrix doesn't fall on it's side! Hope this link works! Enjoy!

:shades:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf4uabQofnw

P.S. Jez in case you're wondering..... That's not my buggy! I wouldn't dream of abusing my pressccious like that in the name of Entertainment!

:wacko:

This post has been edited by josephneo: Mar 3 2007, 02:30 PM

josephneo, very very helpful...Oh, I've edited My garage and my car.

Thanks!!!

(IMG:http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/722/signaturematrixcg9.gif)

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This post has been edited by sting_pana: Mar 4 2007, 06:43 PM

Sting,
Good to see u here. Maybe a strut bar next for your modification? :grin:

josephneo,
Really cool bars. Wish the 4 point had gotten into my hands earlier. My 2p point comes in chrome n suits my silver Matrix. :right:

silverm,
to add on: the bars can come in round or flat types. Joseph's flat I think, fr the pic. Mine is round.
All d best if u plan to have one in your Matrix. :thumbsup:

Guys,

Came across this site wt pics of Matrix wt bodykits.
Don't understand what it says coz it is from Hungary, I think.

The site is: www.hvtm.totalcar.hu

Hey Sting!

Love the pics and the modifications, dude!

I have 16s but I don't think the road inspections in Singapore will look too kindly if I had 17s! You pump it up wif Nitrogen too?

:w00t:

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Hey Dream!

It took some hunting but I think I found the pics you were referring to! Sweeet!

:auto:
Blazing Trails!

This post has been edited by josephneo: Mar 12 2007, 10:39 AM

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Yep, bro!
Those r the hot ones!

YO YO!

Next mod...I want to install: a Header!!! hehehe!

(IMG:http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/722/signaturematrixcg9.gif)

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Yo sting!

How's your header getting on? Fixed yet on ur ride?