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Strut tower brace won't fit/align

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Old 07-15-2014, 08:08 AM
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Default Strut tower brace won't fit/align

Well this is interesting..., I had a 3 point Alston strut tower brace on the car for 10 years. I never connected the center of it under the windshield cowling. Took it off & sold it and got a Hotchkis stb. Per the instructions- leaving the brackets (properly orientated & with the shims under them) loose to fit the center part of the brace I'm about 1/4" of an inch of being able to slide the 2nd bolt through the bracket & center bar. No mater which side I fit up first, the opposite side's bolt won't go through and I can't get any more play for this thing to go on. Was kind of thinking this was just gong to take a few minutes and that was it. Has anyone had to modify their brackets or maybe the car is twisted up front?
Old 07-15-2014, 10:10 AM
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I get the idea but can you post a picture of what you got going on?
Old 07-15-2014, 11:08 AM
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i had the same problem with mine, i just elongated the holes on the brackets the same amount on each side until it bolted up. kinda rediculous that i had to do it though, shoulda bolted right in
Old 07-15-2014, 11:46 AM
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I use a fat Philips to jockey the second hole to where
the cross-bolt can be threaded in (it's smooth, but you
can use the threads to engage and pull in). It's always
been a bit tight.
Old 07-15-2014, 05:00 PM
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Not sure what you did to install the STB the first time, but in order to remove or re-install my LG Motorsports STB, I have to remove the nuts and bolts that retain the strut mounts on one side of the car, Lift the car a little, then push the mounts through the body, so the brace will slip over the studs.

Keep in mind, the shock towers form a "V", and the STB has to match this angle, and the mounting studs have to go through the holes in the STB's mounting tabs.
Old 07-16-2014, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
Not sure what you did to install the STB the first time, but in order to remove or re-install my LG Motorsports STB, I have to remove the nuts and bolts that retain the strut mounts on one side of the car, Lift the car a little, then push the mounts through the body, so the brace will slip over the studs.

Keep in mind, the shock towers form a "V", and the STB has to match this angle, and the mounting studs have to go through the holes in the STB's mounting tabs.
Yep, that how the 'old' one was installed and removed.
I ended up elongating the holes on the brackets a little bit and then everything aligned just fine. I just wasn't expecting to have to do that.
Old 07-17-2014, 11:07 AM
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glad to hear it worked out! sucks that you have to do it in the first place though
Old 07-21-2014, 08:12 PM
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ive had to lift my car to get them to fit. But glad you got it working.



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