I don't own one...how important is it to get the exact torque for the FSTB? Any recommendations on installation?

 

No for a strut bar install you don't need a torque wrench. Just get them really tight. If you're building a motor or doing something major, then yes you do need one.

 

u should buy a torque wrench anyway. it'll be very helpful in the future for other various mods.

 

The instructions warn in capital letters not to overtighten...also, about how much do they go for?

 

You should buy one, I got mine for less than $20 and I'm glad I bought it since I used it also for anything that needs torquing

 

30ft/lb per bolt

 

I guess I'll head down to home depot...there's no special kind of torque wrench is there?

 

not really. i have a torque wrench that goes up to 150ft/lb. it has served me well for the last years with strutbars, wheel lugs, spark plugs, and other modding application. i use it mostly for wheel lugs though, cuz i don't want my wheels to fly out on the street. they are torqued 80ft/lb on my 17s voxx MGRs.

 

you can always do like I did. Just go to a AutoZone (pepboys...) and ask if you could use their torque wrench, (with all the nessessary extentions, sockets). and do it right in front of their store.

It took me 15 minutes to do the job (they even set the torque to the correct degree for me). all I had to do was unbolt, put the bar, and bolt until I hear the click.

You won't spend any money.

If you know some one that works at the autostore, makes it easier to borrow. (lend it to you).

hope you understand what I said.

 

If you go to autozone you can use any tool they have with a deposit that you get back when you bring the tool back.

 

It's mostly just to cover themselves for insurance purposes. I've done entire head swaps with only using a torque wrench on the head studs. And its still going at about 400hp 2 years later.

Torque wrenches are good if you really want to be **** about it, but I never am, and never have a problem. Just use your head.

 

Another question...the write up says the strut bolts are 19mm...Mine are much bigger than that...can anyone with a 99 clarify?

 

The autozone ones are crappy-I got a Craftsman from Sears w/ a lifetime warranty for $20 i think, about 2 months ago.

 

I put mine on w/ out a tourque wrench, i cant remeber how big the bolts are, go out there, find the socket that fits on it and thats how big it is. I ended up using a BIG a$$ wrench, b/c mine were on too tight

 

It doesn't matter...I just tightened the bolts till I couldn't anymore and it's been a year with no difference.

 

The thing is, mine are huge...a 21 mm wouldn't even fit over it...so I quit to go play madden

 

jus go to auto zone and u can rent um for free

 

I have a 98 and mine turned out to be 22mm. The few write ups had 2 different sizes depending on year but none said 22mm.

 

Use the torque wrench for peace of mind. If that bolt snaps $$$.

 

just buy one and then return it.

and dont overtighten it because once there is enough pressre on the bolts, they gonna pop right out !

 

You guys who lay into the b!tches are retarded. They are meant to be just over 30Ib/ft. For comparison 10-13Ib/ft is hand tight and you can lay down about 500Ib/Ft with a 9" socket wrench. If you go to tight the flex in the suspension geometry and chasic is completely eliminated which is great until the bolt snaps and then you need a new upper spring mount thing.

 

broaner22: Uhm...in order to do 500lb/ft with a 9" socket wrench, you'd need to put 666 2/3 lbs of pressure on the wrench. You must be a big dude!

my99maxisnice: I'd just go get one from Sears (Not the digital kind, but the one with the lifetime warranty). $20 and you're guarenteed to get those bolts just right. If you're only buying one of them, I'd get one that goes up to ~150lb/ft.

 

Use a torque wrench.

It's $20-$40 you cheap b@stards and you'll eventually use it for something other than your strut bar.

End of thread.