I got a generic brand FSTB from matty here on the .org last week, and I went to put it in today thinking it would take all of 5 minutes...(unscrew the 6 lugs, put the bar in, and screw and tighten back). Well everything was going smooth until I went to put the bracket on the drivers side. There is this black piece of metal welded to the strut tower and I cannot get around it with the bracket. It looks like it is holding up two cables (no idea what they do) but I cannot fit the FSTB with this in the way. Anyone else have this problem and solve it? I have a 99 if that helps any. Thanks.

Here is a picture of what I am talking about:

 

it might touch but you will be alright if it does. post a picture of the strut bar. i have the same metal piece on my 98 too.

 

if you have a saw zaw cut the on either side to remove the hump or you can beat the crap out of it till it comes off or gives you just enough clearnece by the way those are a/c lines

 

Are you sure your installing the bar properly? I think you may be installing it backwards.... Try rotating it around and installing it.

 

Backwards...flip the brackets around

-matt

 

I thought that I was putting it in correctly...I will try it again tomorrow before work. Ill keep you all updated as it probably is just a stupid mistake on my part.

 

Nah, it's not backwards. Same thing happened to me. I tried flipping the brackets around, but that didn't help. That "growth" seems to only be on some cars. It's on my 99 5spd, but not on Ptatohed's 99 Autotragic. I think it's a 98/99 5 spd thing....

Solution: dremel the growth off.

What I did. Got a FSTB that actually fits and doesn't conflict with the growth. ie Cattman.

 

Like I said before I thought I had everything on correctly...as all the bolts lined up...the drivers side would not sit flush on account to the strut tower. I was hoping to get out of this one easy... i got a good deal on it.

 

Cutting it off isnt expensive..itll take you 10 min

-matt

 

Or notch out the FSTB if you don't want to do permanent damage to your car.......

 

Well I put one on today with no problems lol and its a generic bar

 

Let me guess....you have an autotragic

 

I don't think thats true, I think this is on all 4th gens....

 

I just wish I knew what it does....it holds up the ac lines but it is bulky and it is not necessary to be so large....

If I cannot get the strut bar to fit...I will cut out the of the strut bar to make it fit, rather than do permanent damage to the car like The Wizard suggested.

 

No. you're wrong . Read post #7

 

I thought the exact same thing when I tried to install mine years ago.

Hope it works out for ya.

 

Yeah I hope it works out too...I will keep everyone updated as I will attempt to fix it in the 20 minutes I have between school and work tomorrow.

 

Does anyone with this "growth" have a Stillen FSTB fit flush on the strut tower? I can get one at a good price and want to know if its going to fit before I drop the $. Thanks.

 

I have a Stillen FSTB that I never installed. I can check for you tonight if no one provides an answer in the meantime.

 

Yea if its not to big of a deal....thanks alot

 

nah my buddys 99 auto had it too.

 

Weird. I wonder what justifies the "growth" then??



Ok. I checked. It will work as long as you slide it under the growth.(ie don't come straight down) It just makes it. You'll understand what I mean once you study the growth. Look back at the pic you posted.

 

As long as it fits...unlike the eBay one, it will make me happy. I can live with "sliding it under the growth" much easier than I can if I were to dremel it away. Thanks for your help Wizzard!

 

I have that "growth" in my '97 too. But the $34 matrix strut bar that i got from summitracing.com fit perfectly!

 

I had that stupid thing too, just cut that b*tch off or if you want, hammer the sh*t outta it.

 

got the growth on my 99 5 speed, but no fitment issue with my $20 E-bay FSTB... I vote for notch the growth with a dremmil only takes like 5 mins and 2-3 squirts of paint, and no one will ever be able tell.. if you cut the fstb it will look like a hack job...

My opinion... good luck

 

Yeah I am getting a Stillen so hopefully it will fit...for the damn price im paying........

 

lmao @ all you tards..

You do realize that in Japan and other countries that "growth" as you call it is what supports the little bracket for the MEVI vacuum lines in stock form. I was unaware however that only certain 4th Gen had it, I though all did.

My '98 5sd has it, but that concurs with the previous statements. Oh, and be happy this just furthers the fact that your car is mad jdm tyte y0!!

 

.........sweet!!

 

Youre close but those lines dont connect to the metal that needs to be cut off. Look at the 1st pic posted and you will see the swirl valve vac lines, which are the same as the MEVI lines. They are held in with a different "growth".

 

I'm not going to enter this thread again because its confusion, I can't figure out if I want to argue your point or.. We solved this in another thread a while back, wish I could remember. It definitely had something to do with the MEVI/ swirl valves.


DAMN MEMORY.

 

Haha regardless....it is just an oblong piece that serves no purpose on US models. A small corner holds up the AC lines but it is bulky and unnecessary. The Stillen should fit so I am satisfied.

 

same thing happened to me. dremel that sucker off and itll fit fine.

 

I looked, and mine does have a notch in it for the FSTB To fit into... could not even see it untill I looked... I havd my FSTB installed when they replaced my front clip, and never knew they cut it... and in the last month I have been under the hood alot...

good luck...

 

FWIW
I have MEVI from Factory and I don't have the bump.. $20 eBay strut brace fit just fine.

 

yeah, but we already said it was only on certain years.

 

its for the flux capacitor!! 1.21 gigawatts

 

Explain please....

 

this has been a problem for many. some years have it and some dont. your only solution is sadly to cut it off.

 

I am afraid I am going to have to resort to just that. My Stillen came today and sure as hell it did not clear the "growth". I will bring out the dremel and shave it away hopefully this weekend.