When you install the FSTB, do you remove the existing black metal ring on top of the strut tower(after the three bolts are removed), or do you just place the FSTB end brace over the existing black ring? (I have the 2000 I30, so I suspect the 2000 Max comes with the same black ring)

Thanks!

 

Nope dont have no black ring here, but yeah, just leave it on and put the FSTB on top of that and just bolt it down.

Just make sure the FSTB is tight mean no movements from left to right. Like it should not move not even a hair from the drivers side to the passenger side if you tried to jiggle it. It dont matter if it jiggles like rotates, the key is no movement side to side.

Dixit

 

I think you have to take it off...
Doesn't the FSTB not fit right on top of the black ring? The FSTB bolts have to be close to the car to do it's job...you can put the black ring back on top if you want, but I took mine off completely...

 

The strut brace will not fit on top of the black ring unless the mounting plate of the brace is relieved to clear the tab sticking up - my Stillen wasn't. You don't need the black ring with the strut brace because the plate of the brace serves the same function.

 

I took my rings off.

 

ditto.

 

Everything fit fine on my car with the rings staying on, I dont even remeber If I saw any rings. Cant remember.

Dixit

 

it's essentially a big washer right? why keep it under the fstb?

 

Why not, how is it hurting anything?

Dixit

 

Does it nmake the fit any less snug or anything like that?

SuDZ

 

On my FSTB, I left the driver side one on and took off the passengers side off since some type of cutting was needed for it to fit...
I guess neither of them are needed tho.

 

mine has little tabs that fold up, which could get in the way of the FTSB.

Also, you want the ftsb to be tight on the strut tower, otherwise it might not perform that well and it could slide around over the ring.

Doesn't the Stillen directions say to remove them?

Do what you like, I'm just telling you what I did...

 

I think it rubs against the hood liner less if you take of the black rings. Taking the rings off soved my left washer nozzle issues (the hose is not being pinched off anymore... I think). That said I have no idea if there is any harm in taking those off. BTW when I installed it with the black rings I had to flatten the point sticking out of the right black ring to clear the FSTB bracket.

Max

 

From the posts in response to my question I think I will take the black rings off when my FSTB arrives next week. It makes sense that you would want the FSTB to be mounted as low as possible.

Thanks
STEVE

 

there was never any black rings when i took the bolts off... hmm.. my car is a GXE, i wonder if that's the difference...

btw, just installed the fstb and it's great... no more of that "drifting" feeling when making turns.. solid!!!

 

mine is 2001 se and i just got fstb today..
but i didn't see any black metal ring on top of the strut tower..

 

Thats what I am talking about NEWBIE....... damn finally a newbie came through..... or someone.......

I aint see these "BLACK" rings people are talking about.

Dixit

 

I wonder why some of us have the black ring and others don't. Also, what is the ring for and what is the strange hook coming off the ring??? Anyone have any ideas?

 

I have that ring (2000 GXE). I'd guess that they used in place of 3 washers OR that the ring is supposed to to fix the three strut bolts (?) in place or something like that. I am going to do the BigDogJonx 99-on-2000 ethnic install, and am going to cut my ring so that the bar portion is removed (make it a "C" ring rather than an "O" ring) , and place it on top of the "C" ring that comes with the FSTB so that all of the bolts are connected to all of the other bolts.

 

I have a 2K1 Max SE and just recently installed the Stillen FSTB. I did not have the black rings on my Max.

 

just installed my fstb today..
but it's hard to close the hood...
is it normal???

 

i have the ring. Took it off. Yea, at first, but just press down firmly and the hood should settle in.