This tutorial is useful for installing front strut bars. In this case, we will be installing a DC Sports CS-2 Strut Bar. I would like to thank DJ X Trodinaire for the pictures.

For this install, you will need:
- floor jack (either the one that comes with your xA/xB or an aftermarket will do)
- 12mm box wrench
- 10mm socket wrench (xA install)
- a buddy (optional, but recommended)

First, here is a picture of the strut bar we will be installing.


Now, onto the installation!

Loosen up!
Start by taking the strut nuts off the strut with the 12mm box wrench. You may have a hard time taking out the rear strut nuts out due to the wiper assembly being in the way. You can take off the wiper assembly, but it is not required. Instead of uninstalling the wiper assembly to get to the strut nuts, we will use a floor jack to lift the chassis and relieve the stress off the struts. Just make sure you loosen the problematic strut nut(s) beforing jacking up the vehicle.



NOTE: xA owners may want to use a 10mm socket wrench to unscrew the two screws on the ends of the wiper assembly, as well. The passenger side screw is easily accessible, but the driver side screw is hidden under the foam. Failing to unscrew these may result in having bloody gashes on your fingers.

In addition, xA owners may want move the wiper wires (loomed) from behind the throttle body bracket to the front of bracket. The wiper wires may get in the way of installing the strut bar. Either unhook the throttle body cable by unscrewing the bolt holding the bracket and moving it behind the wire, or unhook the throttle body cable and bend the bracket back while moving the wiper wires in front of it. Do not forget to hook the throttle body cable back onto the bracket.

Driver Side Strut
1. Let's start with the driver side. Have your parking brake engaged and your car in gear for safety precautions. Line up your floor jack with the jack point and start jacking it up.



2. Once the car is jacked up, push down on the tire to get the problematic strut nut out.

3. With the tire still pushed down, put the strut bar on. Once the one side of the strut bar is aligned with the strut bolts, slowly let off the tire while putting the problematic bolt back on.

4. After that, go ahead and put the other two bolts back on. Do not tighten the bolts all the way, though. The other side of the strut bar still has to be mounted.



5. Once all of the bolts on the first strut are back on (but not tightened!), lower the jack and move onto the passenger side of the car.

Passenger Side Strut
1. Jack the car back up using the jack point on the passenger side.

2. Once the car is jacked up, push down on the tire and remove the problematic strut nut, if there is one. If not, then continue by putting the other side of the strut bar on the strut.

3. Line up the strut bar with the bolts and put the strut nuts on before letting off the tire.

4. Go ahead and tighten the strut nuts completely. Tighten the strut nuts on the driver side while the passenger side is still jacked up, as well.

5. Once the bolts are tightened completely, lower the jack completely and double-check the strut nuts. If you have an xA, go ahead and screw the two screws back into the wiper assembly.

NOTE: I would periodically check the strut nuts to make sure they do not get loose.

Final Product



In my xA, I noticed the car was much more responsive after I installed the DC Sports CS-2 Strut Bar. I checked the rigidity after installing the strut bar by holding the front support of the car (behind grill) and banging on the strut bar. I felt the vibrations via the front support. That might not be the best way to test it, but I did feel a difference in the front suspension while driving. I think it is a worthy upgrade.

 

Thanks for the write up.this will come in handy since this is exactly the strut I will be buying....................juan

 

Yeah, I noticed your post in the sponsered sales section. I was like "manejounxa will probably find this useful..." :D

 

mikochu ur car looks like my car.

 

when i was doing mine i found it easier to get it on if both front wheels were off the ground. the struts dropped down easier then

 

BCP xB? That's DJ X Trodinaire's... I have a Polar White xA...

If I had jackstands, I would've just lifted the front and put the jackstands...but not everyone has jackstands.

 

should those spacers still be on? i didnt know so i took mine off. what difference do they make on or off?

 

I think the instructions for either the DC or Hotchkis bars said to keep it on...so I kept them on.

 

my dc one didnt come with instructions.

 

Neither did mine...I bought mine used. I remember reading about it, though.

 

read your walkthru and it was even easier than I thought it would be. I even used just a box wrench to get them all loose (a rubber mallet helps) . No one was home so I just pushed the tire down with my knee while jacked up and it was a breeze. Drove around the block and it does feel tighter. Didn't remove wiper aseebly, it was so easy.

I was gonna waith til my springs came but what the hell. Will be using the excelent guide that I read thu the other day on this great site.

thanks to all.

 

I'm glad we could help!

 

On most strut bars I've seen listed for sale for the xB, they state they are for the '03 - '04 models. Is the '05 any different, or has the manufacturer just not updated their info?

 

They are the same...

 

I am about to Install this puppy on my XB today Thank You for The tips, this sounds like it will help a great deal!!!!!

JERMDOC

 

Cool, I just riveted a new DC Sports badge on mine not more than 5 minutes ago. I'm gonna reinstall the strut bar in a bit.

 

All went as planned, thanks for the help!!!

Tomorrow I will install a header I hope this Strut is not in the way!

 

I found it just as easy to remover the wiper cowl and assembly, granting me full access to the bolts. Took me under an hour to install last night. Great product!

 

My tC is comming next week and I am in the process of getting the front strut bar .... just like the install here (but on the tC). Would the install be similar? Also, what exactly is jacking up the car doing to ease getting to the rear nut? I do not have the car so I dont have a picture becides what is posted here (to understand whats going on). . . .plus I normally dont install anything on my car myself but this looked too easy to not try. Please give any info.

 

Did this on my xB...make sure you jack up the drivers side at least... I forced it on the passenger side but had to jack up the drivers side.