Hey all,

I bought a front strut tower brace from custommaxima.com for my dad's '99 SE-L but it doesn't fit. I tried it on my '97 and it fits perfectly. The problem is that '99s have different metal bracket on top the driver's side shock tower, they are longer and have different shape. Take a look at the first picture on this page http://www%2eshutterfly%2ecom%2fos%2...20%26open%3d1/ to see what I'm talking about.

Basically, I have 2 questions:
1. What is this bracket used for?
2. Can I cut it, as shown in the second picture, to make the FSTB fit and not cause any harm?

Appreciate any help on the issue.

 

In my opinion I do not think if you cut them you will do any harm. There is nothing attached to those brackets anyways. Please correct me if I'm wrong anyone.

 

i cut one side and bent it to the other side so its not in the way

 

 

 

What are these brackets used for?
Nissan would never spend $ and install these brackets just fo kicks so they must serve some purpose.

 

i dunno, i only have it on one side

 

The bracket is used to hold a part on the 2000 maxima. Nissan made production changes in 1999 to prepare for 2000 maxima.

 

if u dont want ur strut bar ill buy it for $20

 

cut the sucker off.

 

ya make that biotch scream

 

I installed the custommaxima strut bar on my 99 se-limited with no problems. I didnt have have that bracket either. I guess some se-limiteds got them and some didnt.

 

Well, this doesn't really make sense since '97s, '98s, and some '99s all have the bracket (although not exactly the same in shape) and there is nothing attached to it! So if this is true and Nissan actually did this I say it's retarded!

Why would I sell a brand new part that I paid $70 for $20???

I'm going ask a technician at a local Nissan stealership to verify what 1MAX2NV stated. It's not that I don't trust 1MAX2NV's opinion but a) just want to make sure before I cut anything and b) out of curiousity. If anyone is interested I'll post what the guy says either tomorrow or Wednesday.