tips on installing strut-tower bar....
 

any tips on installing a strut-tower bar in an S5?...

i'm sure it's pretty simple and basic but always better to be safe then sorry....

Remove the 4 bolts on each side.

Put bar on, put bolts back.

;)

yeah but how tight do i tighten them?...

whats with the bolt right on the bar, it can be tightened either way, towards the ends of the strut bar or towards the bar itself, i assume this just holds the bar in place the way i want it...?

if you really wanna get fancy, jack the car up so the suspension hangs free and isnt preloaded. at least thats what the directions for my bar said.

try not to scratch it!

made my own works great

dont wana get fancy, i just want it installed....

Jack your car up a little, makes the install alot easier.

easier?... how so?...

i thought with it on the ground and it sitting the way it sits that it would be easier to install because nothing would move....

and thats how it would sit when the car's on the road....

ahh this is confusing....

any specific way the bolts should be tightened down?...

i assume i should do this on a pretty flat surface?...

You jack the front to pre-load the bar some.
If it's the type that you have to remove all 4 bolts, jack it but leave just enough suspension pressure to keep the pillow mount from moving.

The brace makes more of a difference with an upgraded suspension than with a stock suspension.

Check the clearance at the top of the alternator.
You don't want it to hit when the engine torques over under acceleration.

Don't torque the bolts too much. I've heard a couple stories about the bolts on the strut tower breaking off. ;)

shit, how much should i torque the bolts then?...

i was going to tighten them as bloody hard as i could by hand....

it's all good, i have full coil overs, this strut bar now and a sway-bar kit on it's way....

:P

handle like it's on rails?, i think so....

Just tighten them down good and tight. By hand though, don't get a rattle gun on there! :)

Check them a couple days later to make sure they're still tight, and you'll be fine.

EDIT: I had a quick look in the FSM, and the tightening torque for the 4 bolts at the top of the strut is 22-27 ft-lb. Hope that helps! :bigthumb:

You're way too paranoid man. Just do it and be done with it.

kool, thanx....

:P

this thread is kind afunny...if you are paranoid about over tightening of under, get a torque wrench, a manual, and you wont have to worry anymore.

picture of the new bar installed?

its not hard, we installed the one in my wifes vert with it just sitting on the ground, we made it a tight fit from side to side, dont know if it makes a difference either way.

i installed it, will have pics soon....

i tightened everything as tight as i could, the mounts ( sides ) didnt really mount up flush, so i tightened the hell outa them and they "adapted" do the strut tower....

where the bar connets to those ends i tightened that as tight as i could too, the bar doesent move at all now....

here's a pic i just took, it's 2am.... i swear my neighbors think i'm nuts....

the ends where the chrome bar connects to the black ends, i tightened those as tight as i could, they dont flex or move....


http://ftp.shaw.ca/matrix9eleven/Engine001.JPG

oh, and how am i suposed to put oil into my car now, the cap wont clear the bar, LOL!...

Clean engine, sweet. What kind of bar is that?

to be honest with you dude, i have no idea....

it's VERY VERY shiney and shipped only cost me $60....

next time i go to their shop i'll check the brand for you, you get no instructions or anything, thats why i made this thread, hahaha....

Would the same aply to the instalation of a front strut bar?

this is a front strut bar dude....

i assume his tips meant for the front one....