questions that i would like answers to

[HeWhoKillz]

Whats the difference between a stabilizer bar that links from each front wheel underneath the car and a stabilizer bar that links from the top of the strut tower under the hood.(atleast I think thats where it links) Whats the difference in handling? Any pros or cons? I want to work on my suspension so it doesn't sway from side to side so much when driving. Its been lowered but all that did was make the ride rougher. Didnt' really help with cornering. Its also a 91 corolla.

Also, whats an exhaust header? I heard someone speak of one but was curious as to what it was.

Is there any way to tighten the steering wheel? I have a 93 sentra that has LOTS of freeplay in it. Its not so bad in city but on the highway its harder to keep it centered. Does that power steering pump have a bolt one can tighten just as the alternator has one for the alternator belt?

answers to any of these would be greatly appreciated.

[shorod]

Are you referring to a strut tower brace versus an anti-sway bar? The strut tower brace will connect the tops of the struts together rigidly. This keeps the tops of the struts from moving under hard cornering loads. Such loads are probably unachieveable in a Corolla.

The anti-sway bar connects the lower control arms of the car to one another using somewhat of a torsion bar. The theory is if one side of the car starts to lean/droop, the anti-sway bar will lift up on the opposite lower control arm to drop both side of the car somewhat evenly. I'm sure others can explain this better or link to a site that explains it. Most cars, even small econoboxes, use anti-sway bars, often front and rear. You can improve handling performance somewhat by going with a larger diameter anti-sway bar.

You really need to find someone knowledgeable in front suspension/steering to inspect the front end of your Sentra. It sounds like you might have worn inner and/or outer tie rod ends, or worn ball joints. Any of these can make the car unsafe to drive if ignored for too long. Any shop that performs wheel alignments should be able to inspect these components.

-Rod

[HeWhoKillz]

I changed the steering rack on it a while back but even before that they steering seemed to have alot of freeplay in it. How do you inspect the tie rods?

As for the strut tower brace, I've seen those on like 350z and stuff. I thought maybe it was just to hold the engine. My sentra also has a sway bar but its only on the front.

[shorod]

To check for looseness in the front, jack the front up and safely support the vehicle with jack stands. Get the weight of the vehicle off the wheels. Then try to wiggle the wheels front to rear and top to bottom. If there is any movement, you may need a second person so one can wiggle the wheel and the other can inspect the steering and suspension parts to see where the play is originating from. On your Sentra it would be either inner tie rod ends (should have been new with the new/rebuilt steering rack), outer tie rod ends, ball joints, or wheel bearing.

-Rod