View Full Version : Strut bar installation


TOAST3R
09-14-2004, 11:49 PM
Im trying to put on my dc sports strut bar but the back bolts are a pain to get off. is there an install pdf or how to that explains an easier way to do this? i tried using the forum search but thats just useless

TylorWeaver
09-14-2004, 11:51 PM
get a regular box wrench and take a rubber malet to the other end of the wrench, to get it loose.. ;)

but thats just me..

I say rubber malet because if you miss, you can F#ck ____ up!

late.

-Tylor

TOAST3R
09-14-2004, 11:57 PM
getting the bolts loose is no problem, the problem is the stuff above it being in my way to take the nut out

neckbonenick
09-15-2004, 12:00 AM
spend 20 mins removing the 2 wipers and the cowl and wiper motor. You'll have it on in 5 mins.

TOAST3R
09-15-2004, 12:03 AM
How do i remove those?

superjeer
09-15-2004, 12:27 AM
loosen them all, then jack up the front end a little.. this'll let the struts drop enough to get the nut off.

neckbonenick
09-15-2004, 02:33 PM
superjeer is confused about the nature of this topics. There are a whole bunch of 9 or 10mm silver nuts to take off.

Minsk99
09-15-2004, 08:57 PM
loosen them all, then jack up the front end a little.. this'll let the struts drop enough to get the nut off.
That worked for me too.

superjeer
09-15-2004, 09:09 PM
superjeer is confused about the nature of this topics. There are a whole bunch of 9 or 10mm silver nuts to take off.

I don't confuse topics. ;-) If he's talking fron strut tower brace.. then what I said stands. If I am wrong then I will take you installing one to show me how.. on MY box as punishment :)

neckbonenick
09-16-2004, 02:16 AM
Sorry superjeer I really had to think of what you were talking about. But I think that even with your way it still hard to reach those last couple nuts.

TOAST3R
09-16-2004, 03:55 AM
i talked to my buddy jim that works at a dealer and he said he would ask the tech. this was his reply i just got back from him "you can just lift the car up!!!as long as you don't let the bolts drop out...let me know how it works..."

so i will try this tomorow hopefully and post. ill take pictures too

KalEl
09-16-2004, 04:20 AM
Lifting the car up didn't help me at all. As far as taking the wiperblades off and such I didn't have the time for that. Besides the problems not all the stuff above the nuts it's the firewall that prevents a smooth install. You just have to be creative. I don't know what brand strut bar every one else has on there Xb that is posting on this thread, but theres somthing about the DC Sports one that makes you think. You'll also find that the Dc bar is not open ended where you mount it like Hotchkis. This causes you to hit the pieces where the back nuts go on the firewall. All I have to say is It takes a little creativity and it's easy, Let me know how it goes for you. It looks great after you get it on. :D

lastlookcustoms
09-19-2004, 12:47 PM
You are making this WAYYYYY harder than it really is. Take the front two nuts off that you can reach. Take a regular box end wrench and loosen the rear nuts under the cowl as far as you can. Jack the front of the car up so the tire is off the ground. Push down on the tire to pull the strut down a little. I had to hold the wheel down with my knee while I used my hands to get the nut out. Took me about a whole 40 minutes start to finish to do my bar.

scionspecialistvegas
09-19-2004, 06:01 PM
Took me thirty minutes start to finish for my tanabe strut bar amd mine is lowered 2". I jackup the drivers side, with a small floor jack, then centered my big floor jack raised the whole front end, put jack stands under her, took five minutes each side with a racheting wrench(invest in these, they will save you a bunch of time) installed the strut bar, pulled the stands , the big jack, lowered the small jack and was done. Bill

09-20-2004, 01:55 AM
Took me thirty minutes start to finish for my tanabe strut bar amd mine is lowered 2". I jackup the drivers side, with a small floor jack, then centered my big floor jack raised the whole front end, put jack stands under her, took five minutes each side with a racheting wrench(invest in these, they will save you a bunch of time) installed the strut bar, pulled the stands , the big jack, lowered the small jack and was done. Bill
Ditto, just need to jack up the fron after removing the 12mm bolts. Not hard at all.

superjeer
09-20-2004, 01:53 PM
didn't I say that?! ;-)

Did you manage to get it done?

TOAST3R
09-21-2004, 12:09 AM
i would like to give a big thank you to everyone that helped respond to my question. it helped a bunch. i used the method of loosening up the nuts, then lifting it up and taking them off. it gave me enough bolt clearance to get the strut bar on. This method works great.

09-21-2004, 12:20 AM
I would pm brockababba. he knows how to doit easily. he could deff help