i installed my FSTB a few months ago and while i didn't notice any major improvements i haven't had any problems. last night i was doing a three point turn and heard a sorta grinding noise when going in reverse. it only happens when i hit the gas in reverse. if i just let it go on it's own it's fine. i don't remember this ever happening before i put the FSTB on and that was my only mod under the hood so far. i'm wondering if the FSTB could be causing it of if there's something worse i need to worry about.

 

might be your manifold hitting the bar? i've read this is a common problem during reverse. i placed 3/8" flat washer on the strut before installing the FSTB bracket over it. no problems with grinding in reverse or anything.

 

thanks for responding so quick. i think i may be able to just adjust the bar itself to be higher instead of unscrewing the mounts off the struts and bothering with a torque wrench. this way it's only 2 screws instead of 6. can this damage the manifold? oh and any idea exactly how much clearance you have between yours and your FSTB?

 

it can damage your manifold AND your bar. if it keeps up, stress on the metal might cause your bar to break and out through your hood. i'm not entirely sure on how much clearance if have between the manifold and the bar, but its enough to slide my ring finger through w/o touching the manifold or the bar.

 

thanks again dude. i'll have to do that first change i get tomorrow.

 

you're welcome.

 

Definitely adjust the bar itself to be a bit higher. The only time mine "rubbed" was when getting on it from a stop and turning left. It only took 2 times for the manifold to put a groove in the FSTB, but since the bar was already rubbing the plastic under the hood, I could not raise it. No problems at all now.

 

that's the only time it rubs on mine too -- when i go in reverse from a stop. i have to hit the gas pretty hard to hear it. i don't see how the manifold can be damaged by the FSTB since just the top of it hits it.

how many people out there installed washers under the FSTB mounts? and how many of you that say you have no rubbing have tried hitting the gas hard from a stop while in reverse?

 

I had that problem too until I figured out that the way to fix it was to bend the end pieces so that the bar is moved forward. It should have enough clearance with only a slight adjustment that way.

 

Throw some washers under the brackets and stop gunning it in reverse...

 

and how exactly do i bend them?

i'm too lazy to take the darn things off. i think i'll just lay off the gas in reverse.


i asked my mechanic and he said that even if the manifold does hit the bottom of the bar i'm not causing any damage to either one.