Strut Bar Installation HELP!

[FD3S]

Has anyone personally installed their own strut bar?

If so, how would you recommend loosening the two bolts from each strut tower? It seems impossible to loosen the bolts with a socket (which the instructions advised on doing) and the drill that I have is too large and can't get under the plastic windshield part.

Any suggestions or tips on doing so?

[2008nvs]

It seems impossible to loosen the bolts with a socket (which the instructions advised on doing)

Have you tried your breaker bar?

[Ever Victorious]

The strut tower nuts have been reported to be massively overtightened by the factory by some owners. Don't force it... you'll round off the heads of the nuts.

Try using WD-40 or penetrating oil first. If that fails, heat up the nuts gently and use a breaker bar.

[reyes1212]

I ended up rounding out two of my bolts.I ended up buying some pliers, the good ones that click or wtvr...and a butane torch and fired those sucker bolts up cherry red...well almost cherry red then they came off like nothin.

[FD3S]

Do you guys think I should try using a right angle drill, since other drills are to large to fit due to the plastic windshield piece?

Or are the bolts EXTREMELY tight and cannot be taken off by any other method?

[Mr. LS]

If you need some help, feel free to shoot me an e-mail, you live close by, and I could help you out, I have a breaker bar and a torque wrench, so it could get done quick and properly.

[lain]

Put the front of the car up on jacks, this can relieve some of the pressure holding the nut and bolt together.

[pfc369]

I ended up rounding out two of my bolts.I ended up buying some pliers, the good ones that click or wtvr...and a butane torch and fired those sucker bolts up cherry red...well almost cherry red then they came off like nothin.

Heating the bolt to certain degree will weaken the bolts and nuts.

[FD3S]

Besides using a torch, what other methods would you recommend heating the bolts up?

A lighter perhaps?

:O

[jfanaselle]

I lighter would certainly not get them hot enough. You could try something to the extent of a heat gun or hair dryer, but again... I don't think you're going to get enough heat. I like lain's idea about putting the car up on jackstands to releive some of the weight on the struts which will loosen the connection of the bolt slighly.

If that doesn't work, spring the $10 for a cheap torch at lowes or home depot and give that sucker some heat.

[yunwoo]

that two bolt is not difficult to screw , go to buy a wrench set and anti clockwise to unscrew it . That's it. Don't use the torch to heat it, as i noticed that it has plastic stuff under the metal. If you burn it , the plastic maybe damage. Just use the wrench, it is ok. you know what, the day I installed my strut bar is -6℃. I used the wrench , then the bolt came out , easy . make sure you use a long wrench.

[FD3S]

what exactly is the purpose of those bolts on the strut tower? i mean, its not holding anything in place, right?

[lain]

what exactly is the purpose of those bolts on the strut tower? i mean, its not holding anything in place, right?

Take them off and drive around see what happens...JK don't do it haha that would be funny though. The bolts hold the struts in place that hold everything thing else in that area in place, the thing that holds the breaks, and the wheel...and all the other stuff thats in that general area.

If you really are interested in knowning just put your car up on jacks, take off 1 wheel, and look around for yourself...

[Ever Victorious]

The strut tower bolts keep the strut cap in place at the top of the wheel well.

On most cars, they are NOT load bearing, so you don't have to jack the car up to remove them. What IS bearing the load are the bolts that attach the strut to the steering knuckle, brake caliper, or spindle (depending on the setup). These are also known as "lower strut bolts", they're about 3 times thicker than the upper bolts, and usually require about 120 lb-ft of torque (vs. the 20-30 lb-ft that the upper bolts require)

[FD3S]

so can i unscrew the four stock bolts, install the strut bar with the new bolts, and everything will be fine?

like it wouldnt mess anything up in particular?

and what do you guys think is better for unscrewing the bolts, a wrench or a socket wrench?

(are the original bolts the same size as the aftermarket bolts? i noticed that the end of the original bolt is much wider)

[Vahagn23]

lets say im installing a start bar, and I remove those screws, would anything fall from underneath the car? Do those screws hold anything?

[Kolk1]

I havent done a strut bar on a Versa, but normally, nothing will fall if you remove the top bolts, and the car is still on the ground. If the car is in the air, then the shock might fall down a couple inchs, but still nothing to be worried about. Loosen the bolts all the way up, but leave them on, and see what moves, and what is loose, before you take the nuts all the way off if your worried about it.

[lovesaga]

Advice on stut bars!Which one?STillenDCTanabe

[#1Tango]

Advice on stut bars!Which one?STillenDCTanabe

they all do the same thing, its pretty much personal preference on strut bars, i have DC, and lovin it

[lovesaga]

Tango can you tell me what mods you have?

[#1Tango]

Tango can you tell me what mods you have?

i only have the basics performance wise, i have tanabe lowering springs, DC strut bar, aem cold air intake, and a custom 2.25" exhaust w/ magnaflow muffler.

[tikus]

Also use 6 points socket or close range to loosen botls or nuts so it will not round up the nuts or bolts. 12 points will round up the heads easily.