Author Topic: How to install strut bar (and how to clean your engine bay) (Read 6368 times)

GrantC · « **on:** February 10, 2009, 10:53:02 am »

Quote from: Prelude on February 10, 2009, 10:45:44 am

does it come with instructions ?

-open hood.

-remove 6 bolts (8 if you have the alarm) from the top of the struts.

-loosen bolts on bar & finagle bar into place. (possibly bend or move A/C line to different mounting hole) ((optionally put some foam or rubber between the line & the strut bar))

-replace nuts, torque to 14 ft/lbs.

-(find place to mount alarm speaker if you had to remove it. I like on the cruise control)

-done-izzle!

pic showing installed bar, and relocated alarm speaker (above the downpipe/wiring harness, on the inside of the wheel arch)

GrantC · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:04:19 am »

Yes, my engine bay *is* always this clean.

snackers · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:07:12 am »

Quote from: GrantC on February 10, 2009, 11:04:19 am

Yes, my engine bay *is* always this clean.

That was the FIRST thing that popped into my head when I saw the pic...
OCD?

GrantC · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:08:55 am »

Quote from: snackers on February 10, 2009, 11:07:12 am

That was the FIRST thing that popped into my head when I saw the pic...
OCD?

No, it's just nicer to work on a non-nasty car. Easier to spot any eventual leaks/problems too.

snackers · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:12:40 am »

I agree.
It's just harder in the winter to keep it clean.

I'm too paranoid of freezing things in ice that shouldn't be frozen in ice.

Anyways, nice "to the point" instructions.

GrantC · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:13:43 am »

Rear strut bar! (in a sedan)

-remove seat bottom 2 bolts (and 2 possible plastic bolt covers)

-remove seat bottom & set someplace clean

-remove seat back bolts (5?)

-remove seat back by pressing it towards the back of the car & lifting up to free it from it's hooks (It may be easier to have pass through open, it may not. it's up to you)

-set on top of seat bottom, or someplace else clean

-you should now see the strut tops.

-remove 6 bolts

-disassemble strut bar

-place ends into their respective places (maybe cut holes in a thin plastic cover)

-loosely put nuts back on

-assemble strut bar by loosely bolting the middle in.

-torque nuts to top of struts (~14ft/lbs)

-torque strut bar

-put seats back in (reverse of above)

Only pic I can find of my rear strut bar:

GrantC · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:14:30 am »

If jer (or someone else) wants to toss a "wagon rear strut bar install" in here, I wouldn't mind.

TWRC · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:19:49 am »

I'll try and snap pics of mine as I cut my covers to fit around the strut bars.

pearl boxer · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:30:37 am »

Very nice JDM STI front bar.

GrantC · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:34:09 am »

Quote from: TWRC on February 10, 2009, 11:19:49 am

I'll try and snap pics of mine as I cut my covers to fit around the strut bars.

Nice, 'cause I think that might be a step that jer hasn't done yet.

jer · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:52:13 am »

Quote from: GrantC on February 10, 2009, 11:34:09 am

Quote from: TWRC on February 10, 2009, 11:19:49 am
I'll try and snap pics of mine as I cut my covers to fit around the strut bars.

Nice, 'cause I think that might be a step that jer hasn't done yet.

well excuse me for not wanting to mess up my strut tower covers!
...jerks
:p

jer · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:53:28 am »

Just gotta keep in mind that rear bars mount differently meaning that the instructions Tony or I might provide may not be completely accurate for other wagon installations

snackers · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:58:44 am »

Quote from: jer on February 10, 2009, 11:53:28 am

Just gotta keep in mind that rear bars mount differently meaning that the instructions Tony or I might provide may not be completely accurate for other wagon installations

Definitely.
08+ will be different because of the double wishbone rear's. Also different mods to the interior. Have to cut sections of the spare tire floor cover.
But there are lots of how-to's out there for that.

darkrid3r · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:34:45 pm »

That engine bay is sickly clean, like my god man...is that car brand new?

GrantC · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:44:25 pm »

That pic was taken when the car was 3 years old.

How old is *your* car, and how clean is *your* engine bay?

TWRC · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:51:43 pm »

Quote from: jer on February 10, 2009, 11:52:13 am

Quote from: GrantC on February 10, 2009, 11:34:09 am
Quote from: TWRC on February 10, 2009, 11:19:49 am
I'll try and snap pics of mine as I cut my covers to fit around the strut bars.

Nice, 'cause I think that might be a step that jer hasn't done yet.

well excuse me for not wanting to mess up my strut tower covers!
...jerks
:p

Haha, it wasn't that difficult. I made ones out of cardboard for the test fittings before I took scissors to the real covers.

darkrid3r · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2009, 02:28:56 pm »

my car is the dirtiest i'm sure...Ryan and Cam were itchbaying....but they managed.

dub c · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2009, 10:23:21 pm »

What do you use to clean your engine with? ...The intake mani and ic look fresh off the line!
And if your tein hood dampers arent working so smoothly flip them around. haha mine sucked they didnt even lift up the hood, I decided to flip them around and have the housing part on the bottom side and now it lifts it right up.

mars636 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2009, 10:48:40 pm »

Hey Grant you think you could get my engine bay that clean

GrantC · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2009, 09:43:57 am »

Quote from: dub c on February 10, 2009, 10:23:21 pm

What do you use to clean your engine with? ...The intake mani and ic look fresh off the line!

Just the degreaser & soap & rinse at the coin op. Keeping it clean is easier than *getting* it clean. Giving it a quick shot every time I wash the car keeps it from ever getting too nasty.

Quote from: mars636 on February 10, 2009, 10:48:40 pm

Hey Grant you think you could get my engine bay that clean

Hahaha, sure. If you wash it every time you wash your car sooner or later it'll end up being clean.

(I've heard good things about simple green, but be careful as I've also heard it'll eat/etch aluminium).

TWRC · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2009, 09:55:02 am »

I learned a cool trick from a friend of mine who used to be a detailer. Use Lemon Pledge (yes the furniture polish) and spray a light coat in the engine bay. This gives your trim and hoses a more glossy look - think of it like Armour All for your engine and it smells good to boot. Another good thing about this trick is that when you spray it down at the car wash, everything washes away and you can just reapply a light coat of Pledge again and away you go.

GrantC · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2009, 09:56:37 am »

Oh yea. There's no dressing on anything in that engine bay. It's just clean.

pearl boxer · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:43:12 am »

+1 to washing the engine bay at the car wash.

Zaider · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:56:40 am »

do you cover anything up/avoid any areas when you spray?

GrantC · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2009, 11:14:07 am »

Quote from: zaider on February 11, 2009, 10:56:40 am

do you cover anything up/avoid any areas when you spray?

Cover up, no. i have the stock intake and it's designed to have water fall out.

Avoid, kind've. I stand *far* back when using the high pressure soap & rinse anywhere near the intercooler.