...connect the "claw" to the threaded rod? Its a bolt with a nut on it, but the other end is like a large alan wrench fitting... do I tighten that up too?

 

The threaded part on the bar is for length adjustment. It should be snug(ie.. 20-25 ftlbs) The allen head bolt that goes though the brackets and bar should also be snug(ie.. 25-35 ftlbs.) Don't overtighten the strut bracket bolts. They should be about 35-45 ftlbs. In all my years of lowering cars etc... I have dealt w/ these strut bolts over 100 times and never broken one. I don't see how some of these yo-yo's do it.

Here's a pic of mine
<img src=http://216.39.145.169/jeff/9.jpg>

 

Thanks Jeff. You knew exactly what I was talking about. I'll go tighten those buddies up.

What's that you say? Too COLD to be modding in New England right now? NONSENSE !!

 

Guilty as charged! I turned a simple, quick install into a royal PITA. I'm one of those yo-yos that broke a strut bolt. I was ignorant, and I didn't have/use a torque wrench. I know better now, and I own a torque wrench, too. I wish I had consulted this board before I started the install...

 

i'm curious. how did you break your strut bolt? did it happen during installation? i did not use a torque wrench on mine. i put some temporary loc tight on the nuts before tightening it to what i thought was appropriately tight enough.

 

I put a 1/2" ratchet end wrench on it and pulled like there was no tomorrow! I don't remember what happened first: a big fart, or the bolt breaking off. In retrospect, it was a real dumba$$ thing to do. I thought those bolts were super hardened, and that I was not strong enough to break them. Wrong! The truth is, they do not need to be real tight. They need to be snugged to about 45-50 ft-lbs, and that's all. Oh well, live and learn...