emCee-ig

I just ordered a cheapy strut bar under reccomendation from you guys saying there isnt any point in buying expensive ones from custommaxima.

so i got to ebay and get a 95-99 MAXIMA A32 FRONT STRUT BAR
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1876876729

I try putting it on and here is my problem
http://home.usit.net/~johntom/images/strut-w.jpg
see the part next to the welding, what is that on my strut !? its welded on so i cant take it off,

Its the same problem with both sides. How do i get past this problem?
http://home.usit.net/~johntom/images/strut-wo.jpg

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Im a computer guy, not a car guy damnit =)

(sorry for links to pics, cant IMG it cause .org wont allow more than 50k )

Thx

Sin

Are you sure you aren't putting it on backwards? It appears you have the cross bar towards the front of the car as opposed to the fire wall. Try flipping it around and you shouldn't have that problem anymore.

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

Just use a hacksaw to cut that little bracket off the car.

No big deal.

tomj

Ahhh, I see you have the dreaded "'99" problem. The '99 model year really should be considered the 4 1/2 Gen since it is so different. Just wait until you want to do other things ( y-pipe, etc.) Easiest solution is to go to the dealer and ask for an even swap with a '98. Just kidding. Sorry.

1MAX2NV

iTrader: (5)

Cheap way...Take a dremel and remove that bracket.
Expensive way....Buy a Stillen.

You have a 1999.5 which already has some production changes implemented for the 2000 models.

WizzaMax

iTrader: (9)

I have a 99 as well and you have to just grind the tab off just enough to fit...no big deal...I had the same knee-jerk response...but a freind with a grinder hooked me up and it is cool ...don't sweat it.

emCee-ig

Ok, thx for those telling me it was backwards, im a newbie, look my title says so, the org doesnt lie.

anyways, new problem , i have posted larger pictures with the problems

the right side of the bar is resting on the power steering fluid(????) tank ( i guess thats what that is, refer to intro statement, im a noob) and the middle lugnut does not line up , same problem on left side.

again, thx for all your help

here are the pics.
most are over 120k , the red circles indicate problem areas.
http://home.usit.net/~johntom/images/left-strut.jpg
http://home.usit.net/~johntom/images/right-strut.jpg
http://home.usit.net/~johntom/images/strut-fluid.jpg
http://home.usit.net/~johntom/images/strut-wtf1.jpg

and if my car is a gen "4.5" wtf do i do now?

and as a thx to all you gen4'ers, i will gladly do a logo or any other type of graphic you might need ( i cant afford to pay you =P

Joeycurl

I bought a cheap one too from ebay and I didn't have the problem that you have...and yes! mine is a 99. Hmmm!!!

Maybe they wielded the flange on the wrong side of the middle hole.

1MAX2NV

iTrader: (5)

NO...NO..NO....you had it right the first time. Now, it's backwards. Take a hacksaw or a dremel and chop the corner of that bracket off. Touch it up with some touch up paint. BTW, that's not the power steering fluid reservior. It's the brake fluid reservior. The power steering res. is on the passenger side.

1MAX2NV

iTrader: (5)

You can see from this picture. I totally removed that bracket.

http://photos.imageevent.com/1max2nv...e/DCP01124.JPG

The stillen strut tower brace comes with a cut out section to clear that part. I had a generic one before.

1MAX2NV

iTrader: (5)

Another way...Easier than hack saw or dremel

Take a hammer to that bracket. Flatten it so the ring will clear. I would put a towel so you won't rub off any paint.

ThurzNite

iTrader: (13)

OMG...I can't believe Sin suggested putting it in backwards. Heehee.

I agree, see if you can snip off the bracket where you're having issues. There's another cheapy fstb out there with the bracket already notched.

Good luck with the car. Let us know (with pictures!) how it all turns out.

Jae

Max Noob

iTrader: (5)

will a 2k strut bar fit on his?? since the 1999.5 is gettin more based off the 2k model.. just a thought.. im prolly wrong though.

sidewinder740

I had the same problem. I just cut it off and applied touch-up paint and I was good to go.

1MAX2NV

iTrader: (5)

No...2K FSTB will not fit 1999.5.

96BLUMAX

iTrader: (3)

You dont even need to cut it. Just bend it back a little. Thats what i did on my dad's 5th gen that was giving me trouble.

Nore474

are you suppose to make it real tight across?

WizzaMax

iTrader: (9)

the pictures look as though it is trying to be put on backward...ooops!

dsupertech

It appears the flange was welded upside down. Looking at those welds, they appear not to have been automated welds-- Human error. I could be wrong though.

maximum810

Courtesy Nissan makes a seperate FSTB just for that. Not all 99's have that bracket...mine doesn't at least.

Sin

Weird my 98' has it

ThurzNite

iTrader: (13)

yeah, try to bring the strut towers together...but only do so hand tight. Any tighter and you'll have negative chamber (which isn't bad, but your car won't go straight as easily)

Jae