Strut Bars........

Along with the instructions from pfyc I think there are things that need to be added........

FRONT

First off i would recommend getting all the nuts and bolts matched up together, it makes it simpler than trying to figure it out while installing......i also would screw in the links onto the bar, one side is screwed in clockwise and the other counter-clockwise and i was confused for a second and couldnt get one of the links in and i couldnt understand why until i thought about it, when the bar is installed and you need to turn the bar to tighten it, you'd each side to be different for it to go with each other.........so yea, get all ur nuts and bolts worked out lol

i went 1/2 way into the bar on each link end and went from there, like it says on pfyc get one layed over and start the nuts, then start twisting the bar until you get the holes and bolts lined up, then tighten up and do the other side.....after this i tightened down the link to mounting plate nut and bolts........it worked for me

once u get it bolted down, rotate bar towards the rear of the car until snug, then tighten the jam nut against the bar, and wala ur done.....pretty easy huh.....well the rear isnt nearly as easy......

REAR

first off get ready for cuts and nicks and bruises on ur hands as space is confined.......

After a lil help from jab and his ideas i agree'd that you need some extra parts to get this done right (speaking that you ordered speed built struts)

you will need a few washers, id say about 6 for the mounting bolt, then if you could find some kind of oval shaped washer you will need four of those otherwise 4 washers a lil bit larger than the other 6 you need, also 4 nuts to fit over the 2 other strut mounts so you will hafta figured out what the thread before the trip down to home depot unless you have them lying around.....

all right, first get the nuts off for the strut bar mount.......take the 6 washers and put 3 on each side........i fount it easier to then put the strut bar mounts on without the bar attached.......once you get it on there start the nut, next grab ur larger or oval shaped washers and position them to sit over the strut mount bar and then use the nuts to hold it down.........because this piece is not machined right unless you do it like this the mount is going to sit at an angle and me and jabartram both agree it just doesnt look right and makes atleast me uncomfortable and i would like it so sit more perfectly horizontal......which is what those 3 washers do......

once you get it all mounted down and in place how you like it grab the bar and slip it in there, twisting the bar until you can get the nuts and bolts to hold it on, and then ur done.......

its going to take some time, so go slow and get it done right the first time, something you can be happy with, dont just get it in there when you know ur gonna end up messing with it again.........because u 1/2 a$$'d it........

i will post some pictures of jab's set up so you guys can get an idea of the rear, the front is straight forward and pfyc has enough pics for the front and not for the back.......

and as always, i dont know everything, so people who have installed these please comment, and others who have rsm racing strut bars let us know the differences with installation........

enjoy guys.....

another......

another.....

and last........

[cutelilcntrygrl]

Not trying to be a PITA but could somebody give a short explanation of what I'm seeing in these pics? Reason for asking, I'm going to install my STB's today and well, I just need to know. :P I can usually follow directions/instructions fairly well, (if they have pics..lol) but I'm just confused as to what part of the directions fit the pictures. Thanks in advance.

and before someone gets a wild hair up their butt and starts to flame me, cut me some slack.. at least I'm trying to do it myself.

Originally posted by cutelilcntrygrl@Dec 27 2004, 08:10 AM
Not trying to be a PITA but could somebody give a short explanation of what I'm seeing in these pics? Reason for asking, I'm going to install my STB's today and well, I just need to know. :P I can usually follow directions/instructions fairly well, (if they have pics..lol) but I'm just confused as to what part of the directions fit the pictures. Thanks in advance.

and before someone gets a wild hair up their butt and starts to flame me, cut me some slack.. at least I'm trying to do it myself.

lol no flaming cntrygrl........what ur looking at are the rear mounts for the STB's, where did you order them from?? if pfyc and not rsm these pictures are what you are going to have to deal with........on the mounting bolt you cant see but their are spacers holding it up, next there are bigger spacers on the other bolts and nuts holding the washers down keeping the mount horizontal instead of at an angle.......im sure uve looked at the STB's and you see the 2 notches at the end, these dont sit perfectly and i guess you could grind it down a little......but our washer-using way is a lil less permanent......

those pictures are of jab's set up, his turned out a lil better than mine if u got any questions shoot him a PM too.......

[cutelilcntrygrl]

Thanks. Yeah, I got mine from pfyc. I think I can do this but I just wanted to make sure I knew what I was looking at in these pics and all that stuff. I'll have to print this stuff out and have it handy when I do install them. Thanks again

[mike2002]

how does the car feel? i was thinking of ordering the rear sway bar next, then the front strut tower brace

it tightens up the steering a lot, turns a lot more fun they seem more predictable.......the rear sway bar is next on my list for sure

[Youngblood77]

Originally posted by bigd6983@Dec 28 2004, 10:33 AM
it tightens up the steering a lot, turns a lot more fun they seem more predictable.......the rear sway bar is next on my list for sure

I agree, the sway bar is definately the next step, but which one? RSM makes one, but Mantapart offers 2 different ones. Different diameters I think? I'd like to get the best bang for my buck, but I don't want the suspension so ridgid that it's too much, y'know?



EDIT: Almost forgot: Good job on the additional how-to bigd...truly appreciated. B)

no problem, so many things done i think their should be more in here you know.......

and yea i remember looking at a website that had a couple of them in different diameters.....i thought i remember seeing 3 choices on a website i dunno though.....if its only 2 id go with the thicker one, just cuz if i got the thinner one id wonder what a difference the thicker sway bar would make.......if ur unsure, buy the thinner one and if you think you can handle more you can sell it here for close 2 what you payed and get the thicker sway bar........

[Rubered00]

Which will help the most a front sway bar or rear sway bar???

ive heard the rear sway bar will help the most and its a lot easier to install compared to the front........