AHH!! stupid Strut bar...or...car? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

hk240sx08 · 03-23-2009, 09:00 PM

Hey Zilvians!!

I have a stupid issue/question, i just bought a front strut bar(one of those cusco looking ones) for my s13 fb, and for some reason it WONT fit!!, i tried installing it with jackstands/no jackstands but for some reason the bar is roughly 1/2-1/4" longer. Right now im assuming my poor car is probably bend by the previous owner!!

Anyways, is there anything i can do to make the bar fit?? i was thinking about taking it to a shop to bend it a little, but im not sure. or should i just buy one of those adj. length ones?

Appreciate the help guys

cc4usmc · 03-23-2009, 09:02 PM

Maybe it's not for an s13.

***enkei2k*** · 03-23-2009, 09:10 PM

so it's a cusco look a like? get a real cusco one. do what i did, loosen one of the sides first (giant screw looking thing if i recall) if possible, and adjust accordingly. kinda hard to explain but that's what i did to get mine to fit.

I10cruiser · 03-23-2009, 09:19 PM

yeah i think you can twist the middle bar and adjust the length

hk240sx08 · 03-23-2009, 09:33 PM

thanks guys, but i tried all that...and i cant adjust the strut bar i have right how, i cant twist the bar, the bar is a one piece, damn...i wish i can just install it and get it over with....

cc4usmc · 03-23-2009, 09:38 PM

Maybe it's not for an s13.

I10cruiser · 03-23-2009, 09:42 PM

pictures would help

***enkei2k*** · 03-23-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cc4usmc

Maybe it's not for an s13.

Quote:

Originally Posted by I10cruiser

pictures would help

what they said

my opinion, sell that bar and get a legit piece, REAL CUSCO or other brand and not a look a like.

hk240sx08 · 03-23-2009, 09:58 PM

yeah, its for a s13, i double checked with the seller lol, pictures..ehh, ill probably have to take some tomorrow...ill try posting some tomorrow

HAHA i would gladly buy a real cusco if i wasnt in a budget, but what if the same thing happened with the cusco? my car? :X

mbmbmb23 · 03-23-2009, 10:52 PM

Slot the bolt holes with a dremel and make it fit. You bought a knock off to save money....now its up to you to make it work.

***enkei2k*** · 03-24-2009, 09:54 AM

highly doubt it's your car...lol that would be sad if you have no idea if you have a s13 or s14...waiting on pics...

hk240sx08 · 03-25-2009, 02:22 PM

damn....my stupid pc is not letting upload pics...anywayz if u want to visualize it, its basically a cusco os look-a-like, with the bar roughly 1/2 inch longer....so it fits one side but not the other...thanks people

98koukile · 03-25-2009, 02:30 PM

It's not THAT rare for a 15 year old car to bend at the shock mounts. In fact that's where some older cars just fold in on themselves. If you lift the car so the upper shock studs are recessed you may get the extra you needed to make it fit, If not then slot it, it'll still do its job when you tighten it down

sultan · 03-25-2009, 03:10 PM

i unbolted the cusco fstb from my green coupe and tried to put it on my red hatch, shit was off by about an inch. even the cheap ebay adjustable length junk won't fit. my chassis is fucked, maybe yours is, too.

soreballz · 03-25-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sultan

i unbolted the cusco fstb from my green coupe and tried to put it on my red hatch, shit was off by about an inch. even the cheap ebay adjustable length junk won't fit. my chassis is fucked, maybe yours is, too.

See, there's your problem... Strut bars from green cars don't work in red cars, simple as that.

***enkei2k*** · 03-25-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soreballz

See, there's your problem... Strut bars from green cars don't work in red cars, simple as that.

LOL good to know. i like this thread. i want to see pics of the OP's car, bar, etc...upload em on photobucket or something! i had problems too when i was installing my bar, that's why i feel for the OP.

aziankingz · 03-25-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soreballz

See, there's your problem... Strut bars from green cars don't work in red cars, simple as that.

lol that is funny..

**mrmephistopheles** · 03-25-2009, 04:18 PM

Just an FYI: Almost all front strutbars will interchange between S13 & S14.

sultan · 03-25-2009, 07:20 PM

straight off the other car onto this one

yeah it's not pictured but the other side is lined up with the bolts

an adjustable length bar would work but i'd have to shim it up a good bit off the strut tower to clear the motor (stock motor mounts, 180,000 miles).

i love this car.

Tulok · 03-25-2009, 11:56 PM

try to jack it up from the front (engine) cross member, it may allow the car to flex enough to fit it in there.

hk240sx08 · 03-27-2009, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sultan

straight off the other car onto this one

yeah it's not pictured but the other side is lined up with the bolts

an adjustable length bar would work but i'd have to shim it up a good bit off the strut tower to clear the motor (stock motor mounts, 180,000 miles).

i love this car.

hahaha wow, my problem is exactly like that picture above, at least i know im not the only one going throught this, so how to fix it? and seriously, is it possible to "bend" a strut bar to fit? LOL :/

g6civcx · 03-27-2009, 07:56 PM

How about we loosen the nuts and bolts holding the bar onto the endplates?

***enkei2k*** · 03-28-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g6civcx

How about we loosen the nuts and bolts holding the bar onto the endplates?

werd +1 loosen that big looking bolt until it fits...pop it on and tighten. done and done

sultan · 03-28-2009, 10:12 AM

lol, i dunno about the op but that does not work on my car. there is not enough adjustment even on cheapo ebay adjustable crap.

hk240sx08 · 03-28-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sultan

lol, i dunno about the op but that does not work on my car. there is not enough adjustment even on cheapo ebay adjustable crap.

same here, just not enought adjustments to make it fit.....what can i do!!!!...

Kouki*Monster · 03-28-2009, 01:52 PM

LOL
like everyone above said , loosen the big bolts on the side of the strut bar holding the endplates on.. until they are loose and flop around put on the car.. then tighten them .. then done.

hk240sx08 · 03-28-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kouki*Monster

LOL
like everyone above said , loosen the big bolts on the side of the strut bar holding the endplates on.. until they are loose and flop around put on the car.. then tighten them .. then done.

like i said, IT WONT WORK!, i tried that already....

g6civcx · 03-28-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hk240sx08

like i said, IT WONT WORK!, i tried that already....

In the pix you posted I can see the endplate not touching anything, implying that there is tension on the bar caused by the nut and bolt being too tight.

How about removing the nut and bolt completely and separating the bar and the endplates?

If you still can't figure it out then it's not worth doing.

xtreme_s14 · 03-28-2009, 04:26 PM

Try taking a ratchet strap to it. My friend was using a TRD MKIV strut bar in his MKIII and it always did the trick. It was a pain, but it worked.

sultan · 03-28-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g6civcx

In the pix you posted I can see the endplate not touching anything, implying that there is tension on the bar caused by the nut and bolt being too tight.

How about removing the nut and bolt completely and separating the bar and the endplates?

If you still can't figure it out then it's not worth doing.

i don't think op posted a pic but in the pic I posted loosening or removing bolts does absolutely nothing and the endplate is resting on top of one of the bolts, not just floating in the air. you don't get very much adjustment with cusco and as i said before even the mega adjustable ebay crap ones don't fit my car (doesn't clear valve cover with 180,000 mile engine mounts, lol).

my chassis is fucked, i have to run the coilover on that side a good bit higher than the coilover on the other side to make it sit right. strut towers do not line up.

strut tower bars and busted ass chassis aren't rocket science.

03-23-2009, 09:00 PM	#1
hk240sx08 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 112 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	AHH!! stupid Strut bar...or...car? Hey Zilvians!! I have a stupid issue/question, i just bought a front strut bar(one of those cusco looking ones) for my s13 fb, and for some reason it WONT fit!!, i tried installing it with jackstands/no jackstands but for some reason the bar is roughly 1/2-1/4" longer. Right now im assuming my poor car is probably bend by the previous owner!! Anyways, is there anything i can do to make the bar fit?? i was thinking about taking it to a shop to bend it a little, but im not sure. or should i just buy one of those adj. length ones? Appreciate the help guys __________________

03-23-2009, 09:10 PM	#3
*enkei2k* Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: over the river and through the woods Age: 36 Posts: 7,160 Trader Rating: (29) Feedback Score: 29 reviews	so it's a cusco look a like? get a real cusco one. do what i did, loosen one of the sides first (giant screw looking thing if i recall) if possible, and adjust accordingly. kinda hard to explain but that's what i did to get mine to fit. __________________ Ask enkei2k xquizitditz

03-23-2009, 09:19 PM	#4
I10cruiser Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los angeles Age: 32 Posts: 3,053 Trader Rating: (47) Rides Gallery: I10cruiser Feedback Score: 47 reviews	yeah i think you can twist the middle bar and adjust the length __________________

03-23-2009, 09:33 PM	#5
hk240sx08 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 112 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	thanks guys, but i tried all that...and i cant adjust the strut bar i have right how, i cant twist the bar, the bar is a one piece, damn...i wish i can just install it and get it over with.... __________________

03-23-2009, 09:42 PM	#7
I10cruiser Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los angeles Age: 32 Posts: 3,053 Trader Rating: (47) Rides Gallery: I10cruiser Feedback Score: 47 reviews	pictures would help __________________

03-23-2009, 09:58 PM	#9
hk240sx08 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 112 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	yeah, its for a s13, i double checked with the seller lol, pictures..ehh, ill probably have to take some tomorrow...ill try posting some tomorrow HAHA i would gladly buy a real cusco if i wasnt in a budget, but what if the same thing happened with the cusco? my car? :X __________________

03-23-2009, 10:52 PM	#10
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Slot the bolt holes with a dremel and make it fit. You bought a knock off to save money....now its up to you to make it work. __________________ 400x200

03-24-2009, 09:54 AM	#11
*enkei2k* Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: over the river and through the woods Age: 36 Posts: 7,160 Trader Rating: (29) Feedback Score: 29 reviews	highly doubt it's your car...lol that would be sad if you have no idea if you have a s13 or s14...waiting on pics... __________________ Ask enkei2k xquizitditz

03-25-2009, 02:22 PM	#12
hk240sx08 Leaky Injector Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 112 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	damn....my stupid pc is not letting upload pics...anywayz if u want to visualize it, its basically a cusco os look-a-like, with the bar roughly 1/2 inch longer....so it fits one side but not the other...thanks people __________________

03-25-2009, 02:30 PM	#13
98koukile Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Mass Age: 34 Posts: 949 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	It's not THAT rare for a 15 year old car to bend at the shock mounts. In fact that's where some older cars just fold in on themselves. If you lift the car so the upper shock studs are recessed you may get the extra you needed to make it fit, If not then slot it, it'll still do its job when you tighten it down __________________ Just talking about cars, one at a time Horsepower sells cars torque wins races -Shelby

03-25-2009, 03:10 PM	#14
sultan Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 202 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	i unbolted the cusco fstb from my green coupe and tried to put it on my red hatch, shit was off by about an inch. even the cheap ebay adjustable length junk won't fit. my chassis is fucked, maybe yours is, too. __________________

03-25-2009, 07:20 PM	#19
sultan Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 202 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	straight off the other car onto this one yeah it's not pictured but the other side is lined up with the bolts an adjustable length bar would work but i'd have to shim it up a good bit off the strut tower to clear the motor (stock motor mounts, 180,000 miles). i love this car. __________________

03-25-2009, 11:56 PM	#20
Tulok Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SO CAL!!! Posts: 232 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	try to jack it up from the front (engine) cross member, it may allow the car to flex enough to fit it in there.

03-27-2009, 07:56 PM	#22
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	How about we loosen the nuts and bolts holding the bar onto the endplates?

03-28-2009, 10:12 AM	#24
sultan Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 202 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	lol, i dunno about the op but that does not work on my car. there is not enough adjustment even on cheapo ebay adjustable crap. __________________

03-28-2009, 01:52 PM	#26
Kouki*Monster Leaky Injector Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 84 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	LOL like everyone above said , loosen the big bolts on the side of the strut bar holding the endplates on.. until they are loose and flop around put on the car.. then tighten them .. then done.

03-28-2009, 04:26 PM	#29
xtreme_s14 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 708 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Try taking a ratchet strap to it. My friend was using a TRD MKIV strut bar in his MKIII and it always did the trick. It was a pain, but it worked.

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