Searched, no joy: Install adjustable front strut brace in compression or tension?
 

Or neutral? It's my daily driver, 93 touring.

Or does it even matter? For some reason I think it should be installed with the front wheels off the ground in a neutral mode but I have absolutely no idea why...

:confused:

I honestly tried searching for this topic and the reasons specifically a couple of months ago.

This is my theory:

With the wheels off the ground, (for non-adjustable strut tower bars), you can have a little bit more movement/adjustability of the bolts. Whereas, if this scenario was on the ground, the bolts will be in tension and you will be fighting the position of the bolts (under tension) and the threads of both the bolts and the nuts. (I did this w/ my Cusco bar on my 240sx).

But considering that you have an adjustable strut bar anyway, I don't think this is an issue as you can tighten as needed.

Also, this premise may have been applicable back in the day when cars were not built as solid (structurally)compared to today.

I could be wrong w/ my theory, but it makes sense to me (in my mind at least). When you get an alignment, just make sure that the strut brace is properly torqued.

Maybe someone that has knowledge on this subject can chime in. I would like a definite answer on this myself.

Oh well, I just jacked the front end up enough to take the weight off the wheels and installed and tightened without compression or tension. My thought is that the frame would be the straightest this way...

The car turns in more quickly now under hard cornering and tracks better through bumpy turns. There does seem to be little less bump steer as well.:D