Hi guys,

Got a tC, tried to install strut tower bar last night. When I was finishing everything up, I torqued the end plates down to 59ft-lbs as indicated in the manual. I don't think the end plates can handle this amount of torque, the bolts basically cut right through the plates. Trying to figure out if I did something wrong or if I have a faulty set of plates.

http://puck.nether.net/~nickc/strutbar1.jpg

http://puck.nether.net/~nickc/strutbar2.jpg

http://puck.nether.net/~nickc/strutbar3.jpg

--Nick

ouch!

looks like it needed some washers?

Didn't come with any and not indicated in the instructions... I'm thinking just a cheap piece of metal or a bad batch. I checked my torque wrench to see if it was accurate and it is in perfect calibration (good ol Craftsman.)

--Nick

My manual says 38 ft-lbs for the 3 nuts on the top of the struts. That's where it attaches, right? Where did you get 59 ft-lbs?

that sucks.. and I think shows how much those help :) Soft steel, or maybe pasta...

My manual says 38 ft-lbs for the 3 nuts on the top of the struts. That's where it attaches, right? Where did you get 59 ft-lbs?
Okay, I see in the instructions for the bar it does say 59 ft-lbs. Maybe it's wrong? Are you sure you were using the torque wrench properly?

59lbs is way to much for such small nuts.

I checked the calibration on my torque wrench just to make sure, it appears to be dead on. The other bolt that isn't used in the mounting of the strut brace checked out right at 38ft-lbs from the factory, so I know it's correct.

Paul at McGeorge parts is taking care of me and will send a replacement as soon as they're available, they're on backorder right now.

--Nick