help removing strut bar!!!!

[jimmy.farrow7]

Okay guys I am going to start some work styling my engine bay today, however one of the jobs involves me removing the strut bar but before I do I wanted to check what is the best way to remove it from other peoples experiences.

[Husky]

take tension off of bar (big adjustable spanner would do it)

disconnect wiring harness clips that are in the way.

use socket extension to reach the nuts holding to chassis.

have big magnetic thing handy for when nuts come loose in an awkward spot you cant reach them.

 

I've not pulled a strut bar off in 2 years though so my memory may be bad There are plenty of reposts of the workshop manual kicking about if you search or google.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Husky

[-Bradders-]

Use a small flat head screwdriver to undo the little black plastic clips holding the cables in place, then unbolt the 8 bolts. easy peasy lemon sherbert. lol

[KyleR]

Use a small flat head screwdriver to undo the little black plastic clips holding the cables in place, then unbolt the 8 bolts. easy peasy lemon sherbert. lol

 

6 bolts, 2 nuts

[Tinyflier]

I never undid the tension nuts on my strut bar when I took it off to replace it - just undid the bolts/nuts on the mounting plates.

 

David

Edited July 25, 2014 by Tinyflier

[-Bradders-]

Use a small flat head screwdriver to undo the little black plastic clips holding the cables in place, then unbolt the 8 bolts. easy peasy lemon sherbert. lol

 

6 bolts, 2 nuts

 

this^ Lol and yeah i didnt do anything with the tensioner bit!

[jimmy.farrow7]

Thanks for the help

[Payco]

You need to loosen and reset the tension on the bar, not just remove the feet mounts and replace.

[-Bradders-]

You need to loosen and reset the tension on the bar, not just remove the feet mounts and replace.

 

I've taken mine off 4-5 times now and never had to touch the tension bar?

[Husky]

That means it isn't at the correct compression Thus doing not much to help the car

Edited July 28, 2014 by Husky

[Tinyflier]

So why don't any of the after market strut bars have any form of adjustment?

 

David

[Ekona]

Because pretty.

[KyleR]

Because pretty.

 

And also they are a pretty tight fit so there's little to no movement in the struts when fitted.

[coldel]

You need to loosen and reset the tension on the bar, not just remove the feet mounts and replace.

 

I've taken mine off 4-5 times now and never had to touch the tension bar?

 

I am pretty sure the difference is minimal - not seen any posts on here that people said their handling went to pieces because they didn't change the compression on the bar.

[14N]

I've never adjusted or loosened the tension on my OEM strut brace and I've lost count the amount of times I've had if off (ooer)

 

Although, whenever I have removed/replaced it, I make sure the car is parked on the flat, with the wheels pointing straight (so not parked on a kerb or ramp etc). The thought process behind this is at least the pressure is equal on all 4 corners of the car. No idea if this has made any difference though!

[Tinyflier]

Can't say I noticed any difference in the tightness of the fitting between removing the OEM and fitting my CF strut bar.

 

David