Need help.... FSTB & RSB Install

[Willy7o2]

I just got my FSTB & RSB in this morning. I won't have time to install it til the weekend, so I want to post this to get some tips. I've been reading about so&so lbs ft. on the nuts? I don't understand. Also, Is there any special grease, tools, etc. I should have?

'04 Solara V6 SLE

[DocJohn]

The silicone grease for the RSB bushings comes with it.

To install these you should have a torque wrench to do the job right. If you overtighten the RSB bolts you can deform brackets & bushings, strip threads, etc.
You'll also need the correct size metric sockets for the nuts & bolts. The FSTB uses a 14mm socket and the nuts are torqued to 59 ft-lbs. I forget the size and specs for the RSB, but they're in the instructions. Also see this posting for more info on the RSB install:

http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopic.php?t=11716

If you need more info, let us know and I'm sure someone here can help.

[Willy7o2]

The FSTB uses a 14mm socket and the nuts are torqued to 59 ft-lbs. I forget the size and specs for the RSB, but they're in the instructions. Also see this posting for more info on the RSB install:

.

How do you tell how many ft-lbs you're putting on the nut/bolt? I'm stupid

[DocJohn]

The FSTB uses a 14mm socket and the nuts are torqued to 59 ft-lbs. I forget the size and specs for the RSB, but they're in the instructions. Also see this posting for more info on the RSB install:

.

How do you tell how many ft-lbs you're putting on the nut/bolt? I'm stupid

That's what the torque wrench is used for. You set the torque wrench to the specified torque you need for the nut or bolt.
Take look at this for detailed info on how to use a torque wrench:
http://www.goodson.com/instr/TQR-200.pdf

You may want to have a friend, etc. who has a little more mechanical/auto experience give you a hand with this installation.

[mmcdonald]

Here are the specs all around:

Front Strut Tower Brace:
4 - 14mm nuts, 59ft/lbs each

Rear Sway Bar:
6 - 12mm bolts, 14ft/lbs each
2 - 14mm nuts, 29ft/lbs each

Torque wrenches are different. Some you just look at the guage, others you set them and when you feel them "snap", you have hit your preset torque rating. Mine snaps.

The top driver side rear sway bar bolt may not be accessible with your torque wrench, so do it last after you get a feel for 14ft/lbs.

Use ALL the grease that comes with the rear sway bar.

Be SURE to do these installs on a flat garage floor!!! Absolutely essential. No jacking should be needed.

The Front Strut Brace is a one man job, but the Rear Sway Bar is best done as a two man job.

Good luck and post some pics.

[Willy7o2]

Thanx mmcdonald. That's the exact info I'm looking for.... now, how do you post pics?

[mmcdonald]

Good question...

The first thing you need to do is find a site that will host your pics. I have my own web site.

Then when you make a post, like this, you will see a bunch of formatting buttons at the top of the page beneath the subject line. The second to the last one says "Img"

Format your reply and then find a spot where you want your pic. I suggest after a carriage return. Then you click the Img button, and it puts in a tag like this... "[img]"%20Then%20insert%20the%20link%20to%20your%20pic,%20like%20this...%20"http://www.mywebsite.com/images/carpic.jpg"%20Then%20click%20the%20Img%20button%20again%20and%20it%20puts%20in%20a%20closing%20tag,%20like%20this...%20"[/img]"

It's all ancient HTML.

[Willy7o2]

OK, got Sway bar yesterday. FSTB will be here next week due to lack of stock. So, woke up this morning planning to put it on after-work. After 30 mins, I called in late and got started on the installation. Took over 90min, but finally got it installed. The steps for the installation is easy, but putting the bush back on with the new sway bar was a b1tch. about an hour was just working on putting the bush back on the driver's side. After all the hard work, 2 hours off from work, and 6 black hand prints on rear bumper from going under the car and out; well worth it. Now, I can take the turns and not worry about the body-roll. Now, my tires are squeeling.

Thanx for all you guy's help.

[mmcdonald]

Sorry, I forgot to mention about the hand prints on the bumper. It is so conveniently placed for getting out from under the car. That grease is a b1tch to get off, too.

[Astro]

Thanx mmcdonald. That's the exact info I'm looking for.... now, how do you post pics?

Most of us have pics at cardomain.com. Then, just link your pics like mentioned above.