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I have Neutral''s thread how to put these bars on ....

but has anyone heard anything about "toucan bars" ... are they OK or crappy?

Thanks

DEB

Sorry ... just found some info

DEB

I just posted this in another thread, not sure which thread of Neutrals your referring to:

It should really go over the existing nuts - just buy 8 new nuts from the auto store and bolt it straight on top. The studs are plently long enough. The OEM ones are designed so they MUST go over the top of the existing mounting nuts.
If you undo the existing nuts you'll need to get a wheel alignment, etc as it might go out of line. You'll also be putting stress between the body and the bar mounting plates, not just solely on the struts.

Thanks Grant for the info ....... I won't do it right away .. maybe in a month or so.

DEB

Grants wrote:I just posted this in another thread, not sure which thread of Neutrals your referring to:

It should really go over the existing nuts - just buy 8 new nuts from the auto store and bolt it straight on top. The studs are plently long enough. The OEM ones are designed so they MUST go over the top of the existing mounting nuts.
If you undo the existing nuts you'll need to get a wheel alignment, etc as it might go out of line. You'll also be putting stress between the body and the bar mounting plates, not just solely on the struts.

is there anyone to confirm this i thought all of u guys just put them on with the existingbolts?

First I heard of installing with extra nuts. I used the existing nuts for front and rear toucan strut bars on four different cars. Love em. No alignment probs and they seem to be holding fine. I tightened everything to torque specs. Course, these are all on cars and not off road venicles or track vehicles where stresses would be greater... [/i]

put mine under the origional nuts, had to because it hit the hood if i spaced it up at all.

Bochek

If you have a look at this picture here:
http://eunos30x.com/Pics/000_0490.JPG
Blow it back up to full size if the browser shrinks it to your screen.

Ok, bottom right hand corner - see the lip on the OEM strut bar? That lip is there so you CANNOT install it under the existing nuts. It's how Mazda installed them in the factory in our '94 onwards.

Just because other people put then under the existing nuts (and aftermarket manufactures don't take the responsibility or work with the precision that Mazda did - why are the aftermarket ones 3 pieces anyway???) doesn't make it right.

I'm just telling you the correct way. It should be directly, and only, on the struts.

Grants wrote:If you have a look at this picture here:
http://eunos30x.com/Pics/000_0490.JPG
Blow it back up to full size if the browser shrinks it to your screen.

Ok, bottom right hand corner - see the lip on the OEM strut bar? That lip is there so you CANNOT install it under the existing nuts. It's how Mazda installed them in the factory in our '94 onwards.

Just because other people put then under the existing nuts (and aftermarket manufactures don't take the responsibility or work with the precision that Mazda did - why are the aftermarket ones 3 pieces anyway???) doesn't make it right.

I'm just telling you the correct way. It should be directly, and only, on the struts.

when u say directly on the struts are u saying they should be under the stock bolts???

NO!!!! NOT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE ME SAY!!! On the STRUTS - NOT on the body / struts!

THERE ARE NO STOCK BOLTS! The strut bar should be installed on the strut studs that protrude into the engine bay ON TOP of the existing nuts. NOT underneath. It would be stupid to alter the integity of the vehicle. Just do what Mazda did. Put it on top.

I really don't care what you do. I'm a bit sick of being questioned when I carefully consider every post I give advice in. Listen to other people if you like, I don't care. Its your car. All I can try and do is help. I can't do it for you, thats down to you.

I agree, mazda manufactured the oem bar like that for a reason, now if i could only get my hands on an oem bar...... with all the cheap aftermarket strut bars we have in north america (at least the one i have) you cant put them on top because they hit the hood..... so theres not much choice

I recently sent one to the states. If you want me to keep an eye out for one I can.... The last one was $20 + $35 postage (AU$), so not bad I reckon.

Grants wrote:I recently sent one to the states. If you want me to keep an eye out for one I can.... The last one was $20 + $35 postage (AU$), so not bad I reckon.

please

i would gladly send you that amount for an oem bar, if you come across one just let me know

thanks !

Grants Wrote:
I recently sent one to the states. If you want me to keep an eye out for one I can.... The last one was $20 + $35 postage (AU$), so not bad I reckon.

I would also be interested in an oem strut bar. Since JWMX3 has first dibs let me know if you can get another and i would glady take.
By the way thank you for the info on mounting, it makes sense. Thomas

Why not build one guys?

Im willing to bet it would not be hard at all to weld up your own.

Im really not a fan of those ractive adjustable strut bars. They rust fast. arnt strong at all, and for the most part useless.

That oem one looks nice though. I would love to have one of those. Does a factory rear bar exist?