areX

iTrader: (1)

just wondering what tools i needed for the install of the FSTB. i remember something about a torque wrench and something else... what else? thanks.

LoveSick

The correct lug wrench and enough muscle to torque it up. Unless you are using ones that needs fabriccation, just bolt it on will be perfect!

How mcuh did you got yours for? I want to bolt one!

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

All I used was a torque wrench and an adjustable crescent wrench. The torque wrench is used to tighten the strut tower bolts to 35 ft-lbs. I used the crescent wrench to tighten the bolts on the brace itself. I have a courtesy FSTB, btw....

AznWontonboy

uhhh will a regular wrench work?? just wonderin..
james

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

instead of a torque wrench? Sure, you can use a regular wrench to tighten the bolts up. But, I would then go to a hardware store and borrow their torque wrench to make sure that the bolts are tightened properly. A good torque wrench will cost you $60 - $70....

AznWontonboy

damn thats kinda expensive.. thinkin that courtesys bar cost a lil bit more.. haha... o well..
james

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

that's true. A courtesy FSTB is $90.... But, the stillen fstb is like $170......for that price, you can get a courtesy FSTB and a decent torque wrench. But seriously, a hardware store will let you borrow a torque wrench. You only need it for like 5 minutes to tighten the bolts....

AznWontonboy

why not go to home depot and pop open ur hood, bring ur fstb there, borrow the homedepot workers torque wrench and install it, and hand it back to them???haha
james

clee130

Most places like AutoZone, PepBoys, etc will let you rent a torque wrench for a down payment. And when you return it, you get your down payment back.

areX

iTrader: (1)

ahh.. thanks guys. that's probably what i'll end up doing. there's a pepboys around here that's pretty cool.

oh yeah, re: regular wrench? not recommended from what i heard... you don't want to overtighten it... bad things will happen.

mdeal

iTrader: (2)

Over-tightening is not as bad as under: you do not want to under tighten. You could shear off the bolts if you use too much force. Then, you have a problem.

LoveSick

If you are to do an oil change, they install it for free...
Just say stuff like bought a bar, could you install it for me for just 3 minutes....

jtred1

Also, you need at least a 4' level. You want to make sure is as level as possible. The bar will make a big differnce in your Max. It is money well spent.
The torque wrench is a good thing to have. If you change your wheels the wrench is great to make sure you lug nuts are all torqued to the same 90lbs. This prevents the rotors from warping.

mdeal

iTrader: (2)

I concur: a torque wrench is a good investment to make. Just be sure you get a torque wrench with does 50+ (they make different sizes).

Adam01GXE

get a craftsman...mine has a range of 20-150 for about $65.00. Don't forget to take into account what size sockets you have, 1/2 or 3/4. oh yeah, don't drop it or that's money down the toilet.

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

that's the one I have and use. I think the socket sizes are 1/4" and 3/8" though. It is a nice wrench.

Adam01GXE

you're right and i stand corrected.

punkdork

I find a large hammer to be helpful in all my modding.

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

true.... Didn't need one for the FSTB though....

bcannon

The "dial handle" torque wrenches will put you back 50-70, but the "post" kind, with the arrow and the bar on top (sorry, I don't speak mechanictalk) only costs around 20. Too bad I can't find a post kind for 3/8 inch sockets...

punkdork

Try Sears.. thats where I got mine

gambietti

Hey I just had a bad experience with installing the Front tower brace. I installed one in 10 minutes on my dad's 92 but when I did it on mine, I snapped the end plate bolt! The bolts are cheap and can strip easily. I just got the nut on and wasn't even tightened up yet. I realized I had to remove it again to tighten the 3rd bolt down on the end plate itself b4 putting the bar itself in place. So I actually was taking it back off when it snapped. I called Courtesy and they are sending me new bolts. Be careful! I borrowed my friend's torque wrench. I recommend using one.

punkdork

Strange... I had no problems with mine. Sorry to hear of your problems...

MichaelAE

iTrader: (1)

Can anybody give me a good reason to pay the extra $$$ for the Stillen FSTB over the Courtesy...or are you just paying for the name?

punkdork

The looks and the name.

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

Y2KevSE

iTrader: (13)

Nice reply!

psing23

lol... i was lookin at it for like 5 min trying to figure out if i missed something... i thought maybe he wrote it in the quote but i read it and read it and compared it to the original and i didnt see a difference... whew i thought it was me going crazy... hehe

UMD_MaxSE

iTrader: (1)

didn't go through for some reason....


I said that the stillen bar looks better, but they are functionally the same.....