Hi,

My dad installed a FSTB from Courtesy Nissan 2 weeks ago. After we installed
it the engine started making a grinding noise whenever the A/C was on. The
noise would increase as the speed of the engine would increase. I noticed
the clearance on the FSTB was not much, it was rubbing against the A/C pipe.
(We put a rubber piece, in between)

So we decided to remove it. When we did that, the sound went away. My dad
further tried to install some washers below to raise the height of the FSTB
and installed the FSTB again. The sound came back. After much frustration we
took it off, and now the sound has remained.


The car is a 97 Max with 43K. Do we need to check the tensioners? what
could be causing this sound. Any ideas? comments? suggestions?

thanks
Selwyn

 

my fstb has a very small clearance with the ac lines.......its been on for a while now and i havent had any problems - you might have damaged the line while you were trying to separate them apart

 

What I did to prevent the strut bar from touching the a/c line was that I unbolted the a/c line support that is right under it. You can adjust it down a little so that it provides some clearance, I also placed the strut bar on but didnt bolt it and sort of pushed down on the a/c line so that it doesnt touch with engine flex. There now is about .5"-1" of room between the strut bar and the a/c line fully bolted and ready. I hope that helps you out.

 

What's really wacky here is that the sound remained after you took off the bar. Maybe trying to isolate the noise with a
stethoscope/rubber hose would help. I have a 97 with Courtesy bar and it does hit the a/c pipe but no noise.