how did you get the A/c line clip removed?

 

finally got the bracket to slide under the clip...take brute force but i got it in

 

I'm feeling ya. I read this thread about an hour and a half ago. Then immediately after, I went out in the 15 degree cold to install my strut bar. Let's just say I have you beat.

-Struggled on the left side getting the bracket in...check.
-Scratch firewall in the process...check.
-Bleeding all over the place...check.
-Struggled on the right side getting the bracket in...check.
-Dropped 1 of the nuts into abyss never to be seen again...check.
-Can't feel fingers or toes...check.
-No hex wrench to fully tighten bar...check.

I probably left out a lot of other annoyances. The wind was blowing all my **** away, my scarf was getting in the way, my fingers were numb and I couldn't feel a damn thing with them.

Anyhow, the bar is in...mostly. Just need to replace one of the strut tower bolts and fully tighten the bar into the brackets. I think it's safe to drive in the meantime?

 

^ that looks like an NRG strut tower bar

 

https://g35driver.com/forums/suspens...t-bar-g35.html

 

Copies of the NRG (v2+) / Richie bar - neither are the GT Spec strut tower bar.

 

The installation is the same. I wanted one with a clean, OEM-ish look that wouldn't have any clearance issues, and this was about the only one out there. Last thing I wanted was a shiny chrome bar that would look out of place with the OEM cover.

 

Bump this up. I tried to install it today. Followed zach's advice. The only problem now is that one of the bolts on the passenger side bracket wont tighten. So frustrating. I had to stop the install since i was getting bitten up by mosquitoes!

 

does the bolt keep spinning or will it not thread on?

 

It just keeps spinning. Almost like it doesnt reach the thread. Its probably because I had to angle to the bracket a bit to get the bolt through the strut bar. Its either or right now. I can either bolt down the bracket but not connect the strut bar, or connect the strut bar but not be able to tighten the last bolt.

 

if you bolt the brackets down fully, how far out of alignment are the mounting holes in the bracket with the hole through the bar? if they are not far off, i'd try bolting the bracket down first without trying to leave enough play to align the strut bar (ie, tighten all 3 bracket mounting bolts). as long as the bar and brackets aren't too far out of alignment you can usually just pull the bar over enough to slide the bolt through.

 

Its not alot. Probably like 1/4" of the strut bar hole is covered by the bracket. I bolted down the brackets first then tried to screw in the bar. I didnt think the metal would budge once i bolted it down. But I'll give it a try. Thanks bigc.

 

yeah, give it a try. i used to just partially bolt down the brackets then connect the bar, but after removing & installing my bar a few times i realized that brute force was usually enough to get the holes to align.

 

Okay, so I tried to bolt down the brackets, THEN install the bar. That still didnt work. It was too far apart to get the bolt through. So I tried to loosen the bracket on the passenger side in hopes of angling it a bit to compensate. Then I realized that i stripped on of the bolts so I couldnt get it out anymore. I figure I'd try to loosen the driver side bracket and fit the bolt in. Voila! The bar fit and I was able to tighten the bracket down. I know its a simple install, but you've gotta be careful. I almost dropped the bolts/nuts more than a few times but lucky I didnt lose any. Now the car feels much more firm on corners and road vibrations are down a bit. Worth every dollar spent.

My only problems as of now are:

1. I think the bar is too high and might possibly be rubbing against my Seibon CF TS hood. Not sure, but I might as well take off the engine cover and lower for safe measure.

2. If I ever want to remove the bar, I'll prob have to take it to a shop since the nut is stripped. But I dont think I'll do that unless I'm selling it or something.

All in all, very satisfying to work on my own car. It makes all the money I spend on tools worth it.

 

I get a lot of satisfaction in DIY. Sometimes bloody knuckles and a little swearing as well but it's all in a days work. I'm actually headed out in a little bit to replace a lower control arm. FU dealership, I don't need ya!!