I found an article today that said "there's no easier upgrade to install than a strut tie bar." I thought that was hillarious. The writer must not have owned an xA!!

Sure, it seems simple at first... loosen 6 12mm nuts, drop the bar's mounts onto the bolts, replace the nuts. That simple, right? Not really.

The third nut under the firewall lip seems impossible to remove. Sockets are useless. My 12mm wrench won't budge it. Did they weld this thing on or what??

Has anyone done this install? Is there some trick I'm totally missing here?

 

hey you have to remove the dash cover...the plastic part...ill try and send you instructions, whats your email addy?

 

You have to take the windshield wiper assembly/gutter thingy...it sucks..and it's lame.

Without the jack, loosen all the bolts. Once they are loose, jack it up to get the back bolts out... Don't try to untighten it when the car is jacked up...

 

Thanks for the advice. I could really use that set of instructions. My e-mail address is cairotek@hotmail.com.

Does anyone else have any tips?

 

You can loosen all the nuts to the very top and jack up the vehicle on the side that you are working on (at the front side). Just lift the car enought to where you see the bolts drop down enough for you to get the inside nut off.

Place your strut bar end piece on the strut tower, replace all the nuts, and repeat for the other side.

Good Luck!

-Steve

 

I think with the right wrench you could get that out fine.

 

I know which nut you are talking about, as I encountered this last weekend while installng my springs. You have to remove it to remove the front struts. I used a 12mm open end wrench and just slowly worked it off until it hit the wiper thing above it. It will come all the way off the bolt, but you wont have enough clearance to pull it out until you pull the strut down. I just left it back there and re-positioned it when we raised the strut back in place (a little tricky). I kept saying to myself "I wish I had a stut tower bar to throw on right now.." Alas it is a pain in the ___.

 

Yeah what Mikochu said. Its a real pain in the **** because that third bolt on the left side is sooooo tucked in its impossible to: 1) Loosen or tighten that bolt 2) No way in hell you can get the strut bar in there unless it has "slots" cut out. Kinda letting you "slide" it in into place with the bolt.

If not, get ready to remove the entire wiper cowl assembly-wipers-wiper motors-drainage cover.

 

hey tiber you forgot to mention that in case you plan on installing headers dont install the strut bar 1st

 

Well headers will be down the road a bit for mine

So, let me see if I get this straight:

I need to EITHER remove the wiper assembly, cover, etc. etc. to get access to the third bolts, OR I need to...

1. Pray
2. Loosen all three nuts
3. Jack the side of the car up so the strut drops down enough to remove that third nut.
4. Drop the car back down and remove the other two nuts
5. Place the tie bar bracket over the bolts
6. Put the front two nuts back on loosely
7. Lift the side of the car again
8. Replace the third nut
9. Drop the car again
10. Tighten all the nuts
11. Repeat for the other side
Correct?

I might have to use the first option, because I can't budge the third nuts with an open-ended wrench. I need to get a socket on those things.

 

I just picked up a Tanabe strut bar the other day... do you need to take off the horseshoe looking things, or do you just put the strut bar on top. I cant read these japanese instructions.

 

This is exactly the method I plan to use when I install my springs tomorrow. Flat rate it!

 

By the way today I did my spring install. I never took off any cowl or wipers or anything. A 12mm craftsman wrench gets to that back nut just fine. Just leave it there and when you reinstall the strut screw the nut back on it and you are fine, much easier than taking all that stuff apart.

 

YouR the man! :D

 

I put mine on with the spring and it was kind of tricky. By the way, at the end of the day I notice that I used a 1/2 inch wrench or whatever that fits the nut instead of the 12mm I know what a dumbhead but, anyways it took like 3 hours including the time on the springs. Man just have patience and put some tape , not all around but a little piece that you can take out afterwards. It worked for me,so good luck

 

If you're strong you can bend the hidden metal under the plastic like i did...then just force it back down

 

BUMP! Please advise!

 

umm.. bumb again?!

 

If it fits with the horse shoes on than leave them, if not take them off. If it fits with it on make sure the nut is still all the way on the stud and not sticking up too much.

 

Thank you kindly.