Cheap EBay Strut Brace

lsturbointeg · 05-20-2020, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ey2001

Oh got it...I have kw but uses the stock bolts... lsturbointeg you have kw right? Did your holes line up?

yup KW's and yes they lined up perfect!!! just reused my KW bolts. interesting to see you're having issues when we have the same brand coilovers

ey2001 · 05-20-2020, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by ey2001

Oh got it...I have kw but uses the stock bolts... lsturbointeg you have kw right? Did your holes line up?

yup KW's and yes they lined up perfect!!! just reused my KW bolts. interesting to see you're having issues when we have the same brand coilovers

I just have really bad luck with eBay... always fails...

Sylverlee · 05-20-2020, 10:20 PM

Most other people’s did not fit perfectly. Mine was pretty far off. But 15mins of drilling and I expanded the holes enough.

ey2001 · 05-20-2020, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylverlee

Most other people’s did not fit perfectly. Mine was pretty far off. But 15mins of drilling and I expanded the holes enough.

Yea mine is pretty far off too... and I need to use a bolt so there is no way for it to fit

Sylverlee · 05-21-2020, 07:47 AM

What does it look like when you remove the bolts?

BimmerHausPerformance · 05-21-2020, 08:01 AM

Here is what I dealt with:

Sylverlee · 05-21-2020, 09:17 AM

I’m actually surprised how this little change has changed steering feel and turn in. Is it just placebo? Hahah

lsturbointeg · 05-21-2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylverlee

I’m actually surprised how this little change has changed steering feel and turn in. Is it just placebo? Hahah

No, I immediately noticed the difference. Handling has much improved. I've had strut bars all the back in my Import days so I knew that when someone made a bar for the BMW I was definitely gonna get one. Not gonna upgrade my sways cause I don't want the car to be too stiff. For me I feel my car is dialed in perfect for my kind of driving

CanadianTSi · 05-21-2020, 02:01 PM

Has anyone installed this on a Diesel yet? Wondering how the hood clearance is.

Phiwee · 05-25-2020, 03:40 PM

Hey guys, just installed the strut bar but I'm noticing a little bit of play. Can you guys take a look on the YouTube video I uploaded. I'm not sure what I could do, it's pretty darn tight already.

ey2001 · 05-25-2020, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Hey guys, just installed the strut bar but I'm noticing a little bit of play. Can you guys take a look on the YouTube video I uploaded. I'm not sure what I could do, it's pretty darn tight already.

Did your 3 bolts bolt right up?

Phiwee · 05-25-2020, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ey2001

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Hey guys, just installed the strut bar but I'm noticing a little bit of play. Can you guys take a look on the YouTube video I uploaded. I'm not sure what I could do, it's pretty darn tight already.

Did your 3 bolts bolt right up?

It took quite sometime finessing to get it to work. It was just one bolt that wouldn't go in. But I was scared to drill. Eventually it went in but took so long trying to get last bolt in. Trying not to strip the threads the same time.
Any ideas about my video though?

ey2001 · 05-25-2020, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Quote:

Originally Posted by ey2001

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Hey guys, just installed the strut bar but I'm noticing a little bit of play. Can you guys take a look on the YouTube video I uploaded. I'm not sure what I could do, it's pretty darn tight already.

Did your 3 bolts bolt right up?

It took quite sometime finessing to get it to work. It was just one bolt that wouldn't go in. But I was scared to drill. Eventually it went in but took so long trying to get last bolt in. Trying not to strip the threads the same time.
Any ideas about my video though?

Nice!! I stripped mine and I just used helix coil and didn't install the strut bar... not worth it for me try to fit it cuz I have to use the bolt... and it's off a lot... even though I try drilling the hole bigger the washer that is stuck on the bolt will have no room for it to move...

Unspec · 05-25-2020, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Hey guys, just installed the strut bar but I'm noticing a little bit of play. Can you guys take a look on the YouTube video I uploaded. I'm not sure what I could do, it's pretty darn tight already.

The bolts holding the actual bar to the base is fully tight correct? Post a picture of that linkage so I can verify the bolt setup is correct.

lsturbointeg · 05-26-2020, 12:24 AM

Seems like you don't have the bolt that's connecting the strut bar to the brace tightened? Video was kinda quick to see what's moving at the base

Sylverlee · 05-26-2020, 10:24 AM

Are the three bolts down tight?

ckaul · 05-26-2020, 11:27 AM

Thought I would show you guys my strut brace installed and painted with the other braces in the engine bay and calipers as well.

Phiwee · 05-26-2020, 02:13 PM

Here are pictures of the install.
I used a hex tool to hold one side (to prevent from spinning) and a wrench to tighten and they are tight.
Then I used a wrench to tighten the bar across

Did you guys do something different?

Unspec · 05-26-2020, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Here are pictures of the install.
I used a hex tool to hold one side (to prevent from spinning) and a wrench to tighten and they are tight.
Then I used a wrench to tighten the bar across

Did you guys do something different?

In the last picture, you can see a big gap between the bar and the black base. Tighten that down more.

Phiwee · 05-26-2020, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Here are pictures of the install.
I used a hex tool to hold one side (to prevent from spinning) and a wrench to tighten and they are tight.
Then I used a wrench to tighten the bar across

Did you guys do something different?

In the last picture, you can see a big gap between the bar and the black base. Tighten that down more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

Here are pictures of the install.
I used a hex tool to hold one side (to prevent from spinning) and a wrench to tighten and they are tight.
Then I used a wrench to tighten the bar across

Did you guys do something different?

In the last picture, you can see a big gap between the bar and the black base. Tighten that down more.

I tried. Nothing happens. The bolt that went through the tower brace and bar won't get any tighter.

Are you guys using the same method to tighten?
By using a hex tool on the hexa head then wrench on other side?

Unspec · 05-26-2020, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

I tried. Nothing happens. The bolt that went through the tower brace and bar won't get any tighter.

Are you guys using the same method to tighten?
By using a hex tool on the hexa head then wrench on other side?

I didn't use a wrench. I used a socket that fit snuggly and a hex. Both were on breaker bars, you're basically trying to bend the bracket initially. Then, back it off a tad and then torque down to 24nm.

Phiwee · 05-26-2020, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

I tried. Nothing happens. The bolt that went through the tower brace and bar won't get any tighter.

Are you guys using the same method to tighten?
By using a hex tool on the hexa head then wrench on other side?

I didn't use a wrench. I used a socket that fit snuggly and a hex. Both were on breaker bars, you're basically trying to bend the bracket initially. Then, back it off a tad and then torque down to 24nm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unspec

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phiwee

I tried. Nothing happens. The bolt that went through the tower brace and bar won't get any tighter.

Are you guys using the same method to tighten?
By using a hex tool on the hexa head then wrench on other side?

I didn't use a wrench. I used a socket that fit snuggly and a hex. Both were on breaker bars, you're basically trying to bend the bracket initially. Then, back it off a tad and then torque down to 24nm.

Woohoo! Got it to work and now it's snug thanks for the recommendation.

05-20-2020, 10:20 PM	#157
Sylverlee Captain 150 Rep 965 Posts Drives: White 535i M-Sport, 911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine iTrader: (2)	Most other people’s did not fit perfectly. Mine was pretty far off. But 15mins of drilling and I expanded the holes enough.
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05-21-2020, 07:47 AM	#159
Sylverlee Captain 150 Rep 965 Posts Drives: White 535i M-Sport, 911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine iTrader: (2)	What does it look like when you remove the bolts?
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05-21-2020, 08:01 AM	#160
BimmerHausPerformance Major 513 Rep 1,442 Posts Drives: 2011 535i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chattanooga iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 535i [0.00]	Here is what I dealt with: __________________ 2011 F10 S55 6MT Website Insta @bimmerhausperformance YouTube
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05-21-2020, 09:17 AM	#161
Sylverlee Captain 150 Rep 965 Posts Drives: White 535i M-Sport, 911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine iTrader: (2)	I’m actually surprised how this little change has changed steering feel and turn in. Is it just placebo? Hahah
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05-21-2020, 02:01 PM	#163
CanadianTSi Captain 207 Rep 602 Posts Drives: 2014 535 xDrive Diesel Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	Has anyone installed this on a Diesel yet? Wondering how the hood clearance is.
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05-25-2020, 03:40 PM	#164
Phiwee Private 10 Rep 82 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Hey guys, just installed the strut bar but I'm noticing a little bit of play. Can you guys take a look on the YouTube video I uploaded. I'm not sure what I could do, it's pretty darn tight already.
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05-26-2020, 12:24 AM	#169
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	Seems like you don't have the bolt that's connecting the strut bar to the brace tightened? Video was kinda quick to see what's moving at the base __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
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05-26-2020, 10:24 AM	#170
Sylverlee Captain 150 Rep 965 Posts Drives: White 535i M-Sport, 911 GTS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Irvine iTrader: (2)	Are the three bolts down tight?
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05-26-2020, 11:27 AM	#171
ckaul Private First Class 23 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 528i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (3)	Thought I would show you guys my strut brace installed and painted with the other braces in the engine bay and calipers as well. Attached Images
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05-26-2020, 02:13 PM	#172
Phiwee Private 10 Rep 82 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Here are pictures of the install. I used a hex tool to hold one side (to prevent from spinning) and a wrench to tighten and they are tight. Then I used a wrench to tighten the bar across Did you guys do something different? Attached Images
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