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Old 26 May 2004, 03:09 am
Sci-Fi Sci-Fi is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA.
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The Freedom Design strut bar will tighten up the front end and the handling difference is noticible. A 3/8" torque wrench is fine. Just make sure it can do low torque settings like 10 ft-lbs or lower. Although the torque setting for the strut nuts is 25 ft-lbs, I would strongly suggest starting with 10 ft-lbs and the torque ALL the nuts to that setting first, The increase the setting 5 ft-lbs and torque again. Continue until you finish at 25 ft-lbs. The reason I mention this is that many have broken/snapped the studs off when trying to torque the nuts directly at 25 ft-lbs.

To install your FD strut bar, just remove 2 strut nuts (center and front ones) from each side. Place the strut bar into the right side and just start the nuts on the threads to hold that side in. For the left side you will need a large screwdriver or pry bar and gently position the left strut bar plate over the bolts and press down into place. It is actually easier that it sounds and will not bend or mar any sheet metal or scratch the paint. The FD strut bar has some tension built into it and is why it won't just drop into place. Then install the nuts on the left side and start your torqueing procedure. Remember to torque all three nuts on each side. Mine were loose or were not torqued to specs. Also add a bit of oil or grease to the threads before you start the nuts or torque the nuts down so you get a true torque reading. Can recheck the torque a few days or week later, but it should check out ok.

Hope this helps.
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