Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
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I'm trying to install a strut bar on my 2001 civic ex. I already checked out the clutch fluid container and moved it a little bit so the bar would fit. Now the bigger problem is the strut tower bolts are stuck on like glue. I have a 14mm long socket and I tried jacking up the side i'm unscrewing, but I had no luck. I gave it all my force, and tried using a hammer but it wouldn't unscrew.
How do you guys remove the strut tower bolts? I'm not down to go to sears or some auto shop to get it installed for $50 or something when I can possibly do it by myself. Any tips on how to get the bolts loose? Thanks
How do you guys remove the strut tower bolts? I'm not down to go to sears or some auto shop to get it installed for $50 or something when I can possibly do it by myself. Any tips on how to get the bolts loose? Thanks
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Rep Power: 256 Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
Use a breaker bar, or a long 1/2" ratchet.
Doing any suspension work with a 3/8" hand ratchet is not the best option.
Doing any suspension work with a 3/8" hand ratchet is not the best option.
#3
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Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
^ agree.
I actually broke my 14mm socket because I used a 3/8 drive. Went and bought a 1/2 drive 14mm and used a large ratchet, came off like butter. I used WD40 on the nuts also.
I actually broke my 14mm socket because I used a 3/8 drive. Went and bought a 1/2 drive 14mm and used a large ratchet, came off like butter. I used WD40 on the nuts also.
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Rep Power: 232 Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
first don't jack the car up leave it flat then spray them with PB blaster and let it soak for awhile keep spraying it periodically then attempt removal.
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^ PB Blast or oil. Yes.
and maybe buy/borrow an impact wrench.
and maybe buy/borrow an impact wrench.
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#8
Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
35 ft/lbs of torque.., 5th post down on attached link
btw, A torque wrench is yer friend
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...cket-size.html
Ghost
btw, A torque wrench is yer friend
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...cket-size.html
Ghost
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35 ft/lbs of torque.., 5th post down on attached link
btw, A torque wrench is yer friend
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...cket-size.html
Ghost
btw, A torque wrench is yer friend
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/1...cket-size.html
Ghost
Thanks guys. I got a breaker bar and it came off so easily. After I removed all 3 bolts from both sides, I tried putting the strut bar on but it doesn't fit. I also tried jacking one side up until the wheels were off the floor, but it didn't really help much.
Here are pictures of the strut bar and the current fit
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Rep Power: 232 Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
well thats ebay quality fitment i would just chuck that thing in the garbage because those 3 piece bars do absolutely nothing. upper strut bars don't really do much on 7th gens to begin with a good solid one piece bar like Neuspeed helps a tiny bit those 3 piece bars flex and accomplish absolutely nothing. buy this its the cheapest one piece you can find actually worth using http://www.corsportusa.com/store/cat...roducts_id=190 you can also find them used.
#11
Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
OP
1.) Disconnect the strut bar from the mounts
2.) Install mounts and torque
3.) Loosen the jam nuts on both end of the strut bar
4.) Finesse/ adjust the rod ends (on the strut bar) to fit into the brackets (ensure there are ~ equal length of rod showing on either ends of the strut bar
5.) Install / tighten the bolts attaching the strut bar to the mounts
6.) Tighten the jam nuts
Stick a fork in it you’re done
Ghost
1.) Disconnect the strut bar from the mounts
2.) Install mounts and torque
3.) Loosen the jam nuts on both end of the strut bar
4.) Finesse/ adjust the rod ends (on the strut bar) to fit into the brackets (ensure there are ~ equal length of rod showing on either ends of the strut bar
5.) Install / tighten the bolts attaching the strut bar to the mounts
6.) Tighten the jam nuts
Stick a fork in it you’re done
Ghost
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OP
1.) Disconnect the strut bar from the mounts
2.) Install mounts and torque
3.) Loosen the jam nuts on both end of the strut bar
4.) Finesse/ adjust the rod ends (on the strut bar) to fit into the brackets (ensure there are ~ equal length of rod showing on either ends of the strut bar
5.) Install / tighten the bolts attaching the strut bar to the mounts
6.) Tighten the jam nuts
Stick a fork in it you’re done
Ghost
1.) Disconnect the strut bar from the mounts
2.) Install mounts and torque
3.) Loosen the jam nuts on both end of the strut bar
4.) Finesse/ adjust the rod ends (on the strut bar) to fit into the brackets (ensure there are ~ equal length of rod showing on either ends of the strut bar
5.) Install / tighten the bolts attaching the strut bar to the mounts
6.) Tighten the jam nuts
Stick a fork in it you’re done
Ghost
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Rep Power: 485 Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
well thats ebay quality fitment i would just chuck that thing in the garbage because those 3 piece bars do absolutely nothing. upper strut bars don't really do much on 7th gens to begin with a good solid one piece bar like Neuspeed helps a tiny bit those 3 piece bars flex and accomplish absolutely nothing. buy this its the cheapest one piece you can find actually worth using http://www.corsportusa.com/store/cat...roducts_id=190 you can also find them used.
#14
Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
A problem is simply an opportunity is disguise, unless you’re easily swayed
Options;
Widen / drill out the existing holes (widening each hole a little will provide a lot of adjust-ability) (Drill & ~ 1 hour)
Modify the existing bracket (cut it) so you end up using only two holes (30 min and a hacksaw)
Fab a bracket (band saw…, jig saw…, or plasma cutter / welder / drill / grinder - and a 3 or 4 hours)
Buy replacement brackets ($'s)
Buy another strut bar (more $'s)
Say to hell with it (But where’s the fun in that)
Ghost
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A problem is simply an opportunity is disguise, unless you’re easily swayed
Options;
Widen / drill out the existing holes (widening each hole a little will provide a lot of adjust-ability) (Drill & ~ 1 hour)
Modify the existing bracket (cut it) so you end up using only two holes (30 min and a hacksaw)
Fab a bracket (band saw…, jig saw…, or plasma cutter / welder / drill / grinder - and a 3 or 4 hours)
Buy replacement brackets ($'s)
Buy another strut bar (more $'s)
Say to hell with it (But where’s the fun in that)
Ghost
Options;
Widen / drill out the existing holes (widening each hole a little will provide a lot of adjust-ability) (Drill & ~ 1 hour)
Modify the existing bracket (cut it) so you end up using only two holes (30 min and a hacksaw)
Fab a bracket (band saw…, jig saw…, or plasma cutter / welder / drill / grinder - and a 3 or 4 hours)
Buy replacement brackets ($'s)
Buy another strut bar (more $'s)
Say to hell with it (But where’s the fun in that)
Ghost
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Rep Power: 338 Re: Strut bar installation, tower bolts wont come off...
i would just have loosened all the bolts in the bar and pushed it in with them loose.
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This is a good case study.
Why should one have a basic tool set before buying mods?
Why should one buy quality mods instead of ebay junk?
That's why.
Why should one have a basic tool set before buying mods?
Why should one buy quality mods instead of ebay junk?
That's why.
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