okay so taoday i got my FSTB from courtesy nissan. Mind you i recieved a 2000 FSTB for a 99 SE-L. I called courtesy and they said that a 2000 FSTB fits 99+.

So i'm installing it, and everything's good except for one thing: One of the nuts on each side will not fit.It's the nut that is closest to the main bolt by courtesy's installation instructions

If i do get it on, there is no clearance for the socket to fit around the nut, and i cannot tighten it. Also, if i tighten it with a cresant wrench, then:

1. i cannot torque it to spec
2. i cannot fit the end plate bolt on.

So right now, my options are to either
1. leave that nut off: which is not gonna happen
2. say screw it and forget having a FSTB.

please help!!!!

 

did u try to take out the main bolt and install the plates first??

 

i wouldnt mess with it anymore. send the $hit back and get the right one. also make them eat the shipping that you paid for to send it back.

 

that's exactly what's happening. I called courtesy again, about 20 minutes after my original post. After explaining the problem, they realized that it was their mistake. So now i'm having the new one shipped to me for free, and i'm waiting on a return code so UPS can come and pick up this one from me.

The only thing that bothers me now is this: Se-L's have that bracket on the Strut tower that needs to be cut. With this FSTB, there was no need for cutting, since the plates went right around that bracket. But, this bar is made for a 5th gen, if i get a 4th gen bar, will the bracket have to be cut?

 

The bar is the correct one. I have a SE-L and I got my FSTB from courtesy, and I did not have to remove anything... it fit around them.

In regards to the 3rd nut... I think you're going to have to see a doctor. From what I understand you're only supposed to have two.

Seriously, though, the SE-Ls came with acorn style nuts instead of regular ones on the strut tower. This means that the nut closest to where the bar connects to the bracket doesn't fit, as you have discovered. Go to Home Depot or a hardware store and find a regular nut for each side. Just make sure it's the same thread size. Bring the acorn nut and find a bolt that fits it, then find a regular nut that fits the bolt. Then you should be golden.

 

you're right, i gould get a regular nut, but that still doesen't leave enough clearance for me to get the socket around the nut. Besides, look at this:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...03_61_full.jpg
granted, it's a stillen FSTB, but it's still a 99 SE-L, and the acorn nuts are still there. They're there on every other FSTB i've seen.

 

I still have two of my acorn nuts on, just third is a regular one. I'm no mechanic so don't take my word on it, but I think if you torque the other two nuts to spec and then give about the same effort to the third, you'll be okay. I can also tell you that my suspension has worked fine for the last 9 months or so, but again, I'm no mechanic. I'm just telling you what worked for me.

 

Also have a 99SE and ordered a FSTB from Courtesy. Had the same problem: no clearance to tighten the last nut near the brace. You have the right bar, wrong nuts. Called Courtesy up and they sent me 6 new nuts without the “acorn” top. Fit perfectly…….just had to wait an extra week to put it on.

Give them a call. They’ll send it to you free of charge.