I'm interested in getting a Courtesy Nissan Front Strut Tower Brace for my 2001 GXE Maxima, but one website says I need to saw off something to make it fit. Is this true? I don't want to void my warranty, nor do I want to saw anything on my car.

Please email me with recommendations or information.

Thanks!

Mike
michaeljrizzo@yahoo.com

 

Just recently installed it myself. It's about a 10-15 minute job and nothing needs sawing off. Bar clears everything on engine, however I think it touches hood liner-no big deal.

 

Just recently installed it myself. It's about a 10-15 minute job and nothing needs sawing off. Bar clears everything on engine, however I think it touches hood liner-no big deal. This is an easy mod, I give it 1 wrench!

 

you've had way too many maximas..

 

How many is too many?

 

courtesy nissan has it for like $90. if nissan themselves are sellin it..it HAS to fit right for the car i guess. i think im gonna save the money and just go for these soon.

 

What I observe:
-The front end is stiffer so it takes bumps/potholes a little harder
-a pothole on one side seems to be absorbed across the whole front(not bad though)
-the car handles corners really sweet
-able to take corners at higher speeds

 

wow everyone has 2002 HIDS nowadays

 

I was going to get them when they first came out.. I said, "Nahh they are so cheap now i'll wait till after winter and they will be real cheap.. argggg

 

Just installed the Courtesy FSTB this weekend. Took 15 minutes. Nothing to "saw off". Mine fits perfectly and doesn't even hit the hood liner (as other's have reported). Makes a huge difference in handling, as has been mentioned in detail in other posts. I highly recommend this mod!!!

 

where do you get the 'Courtesy FSTB'??

 

Its "bolt on." No modification needed, no sawing, nothing at all which requires thought other than using a torque wrench to screw the strut tower bolts back on to 35 ft/lbs.

 

I'm not mechanically inclined. When you say to torque it to 35lbs/ft how do you know that its at 35?

 

http://www.courtesyparts.com

 

To be accurate, you need to have a "torque wrench" which is tuned (adjustable) to release pressure at a specific torque setting.

Some members of the board have chosen to guess. I, myself, purchased a torque wrench at Home Depot for around $50.

http://www.homedepot.com and search on "torque wrench"

 

You take a 70lb kid (35lbs per foot) and have him torque it for you...
j/k!
The only way you can torque anything correctly is with a torque wrench...you can pick one up at your local hardware store.

 

To add to HulaMAX's post and my previous one...I paid $50, like I said, but there was one less "nice" version for about $30. Good investment if you a Tim Allen type.

 

Michael,

I have a question. There were two types on the Homedepot site. 3/8" and 1/2"

Which one did you get?

Also, what would be a good place to "park your car in a level area"?

Thanks.

 

I purchased the 3/8" because it is more granular. The 3/8" is designed for torques from 10 ft/lbs - 100 ft/lbs. The 1/2" is design for 25 ft/lbs - 250 ft/lbs. Don't anticipate needing the heavier duty one, so I opted for the one with smaller increments. For the FSTB, both can be set to 35 ft/lbs, so you can get either.

I did the installation in my garage...which is as level as it gets. I think that, assuming you do not have a level area near you like a garage...find a parking lot to do it in...it really doesn't take that long.

 

Sounds good. Thanks for the info!

I'm probably gonna get the Courtesy FSTB as well given it's much cheaper and i don't really see anyone complaining about it. I just hope it fits the 02 bay.

Which one did you get? And, i know this is a frequent question but, do you really feel the difference even in normal day-day traffic or is it only when you push the max to it's limits?

Thanks again!

- Mike

 

I got the Courtesy...and yes, I feel the difference...however, I do have one question?

What's normal day-to-day driving???

 

Thanks for your help Michael. I'll pick up a cheap one from Home Depot.

 

HI Mike
there is a 3/8" Beam torque wrench for $18.97, 3/8" Click style torque wrench 10-100lbs
and another 3/8" Click style torque wrench 25-250lbs for $53.97
which one did you buy?
thanks

 

I bought the 3/8" click-style 10-100 lbs. For this application, it really doesn't matter which one you buy...all three will cover a 35 ft/lbs adjustment.

I chose the click-style because those are more sturdy than the beam torque wrench with the dial/needle gauge. It would also appear to be easier to ensure accuracy. I chose the 10-100 lbs since I saw the potential for granular applications between 10-100 lbs in future projects, unrelated to my Maxima, more likely than 25-250 lbs.

 

With the Courtesy, at least, if you install the bolts facing the windshield, you will not be able to get the wrench in place to tighten the top bolt on the strut tower...so you should install the bolts facing towards the front of the car.

 

Great@! THanks for the feedback.

 

hey mike
kinda having trouble tightening the bolt on the driver's side. there seems to be that black brace blocking the way. is there anyway i can tighten the bolt?

 

I'm not able to go down and take a look at my car right this second...can you explain what "black brace" you are referring to? I do not remember having any issues with the bolts being blocked.

 

Probably a bracket for the airbox. Just remove it temporarily.

 

Yea, its the airbox. So u say remove it temporarily? will i mess up any sensors in the process? just wondering
thanks

 

You only have to cut a braket if you happen to get the early production ones which were for the 4th gens but fit the 5th gens by cutting about 1/3" off a bracket on the driver's side. If you buy it new from Courtsey, you will probably get one that fits perfectly....take off the bolts, put the bar on, tighten the bolts. Oh and make sure you do the install on a flat surface...

 

I purchased the FSTB from courtesy which fits perfectly. But the fact is that i can't tighten the main bolt on the brace (Driver's side) because of the airbox bracket in the way. Is there someway to tighten it?

 

Is it a little bar that is connected to the strut tower by like two bolts and it connects to the airbox? If so, that's what I was talking about and no sensors will be harmed in its temporary removal.

If that's not it, do you have a digital camera you could take a pick with?

 

yep, its the brace with 2 bolts that connect to the airbox. so removing that temporarily is alright?
thanks

 

Yeah you're totally fine removing that brace

 

General rule of working on cars...if it comes off with a wrench...its okay to take off...if it requires jacks or power tools...ask first.

 

Just ordered my FTSB from Courtsey tonight. Using ground UPS from Texas to NJ. Wonder how long it will take to get here???

 

It took almost 1 week to the day to receive my FSTB from Courtesy to NJ. The rear sway bar really helped complete the package. I went with the Stillen over the Addco. Too many bad posts on the Addco, the Stillen cost $234+ shipping from GR Racing in Pa (www.eatricezone.com).

 

Its not a bad thing. But damnnnnnn thats a lot.

 

My FSTB took about 2 weeks, cause i ordered other things that required UPS shipping including the valence grill.