HELP - Strut tower brace!

[Marksman]

I'm in the process of installing a Ractive strut tower brace and I have a problem. I have the bases installed onto the strut towers, however when I go to install the bar, it interfiers with a big mess of wiring directly behind the alternator. Any ideas??? The bar can only go on one way, so this is where I'm at. The wiring seems to be a large assembly to have to move for the bar, but I want your opinions. What should I do?!?!?
Thanks!
-Marksman

[99GrandAMSE]

... can the wiring be moved at all??

[Marksman]

Yeah, I'm working on it. I took off the top of the large plastic dohicky covering the wiring, and if I push down hard enough, I can get the strut bar mounted. The only downside is there is tension on the works. My other option is to dremel the hell out of the plastic tube like thing so the wire can droop down enough to fit.
I'll keep playing...
-Marksman

[Marksman]

Distance needed to go:

[Marksman]

Problem:

[Marksman]

Good side:

[Marksman]

Yahoo!

[99GrandAMSE]

Very cool ... I am happy for you!!!! :D

[VanishingImage]

i was intrested in getting the rActive strut tower brace...how much was it and let me know if you notice anything once you get a chance(i have the same year GA as you)

[Wallflower]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
i was intrested in getting the rActive strut tower brace...how much was it and let me know if you notice anything once you get a chance(i have the same year GA as you)

You can pick up the Toucan brace here ... Ask for Brian if you call for a price beforehand. Here's the part number too ... P002BA

XTREME AUTOSPORTS
3100 WILMINGTON PIKE
KETTERING OH 45429
937-299-2930

[VanishingImage]

thats cool,thnx:D I might just take a drive out there to check it out,save me the shipping too,less then an hour drive for me.

[Marksman]

Hey, the brace was about $33 plus shipping. I ordered it from Driver FX. I noticed a decent difference, worth the $40 anyway. Just better steering control, felt tighter. I dont think I would pay $100 plus for some of the other braces out there though, the Ractive does a nice job.
Now I just have to attach the Ractive sticker to the brace :)
-Marksman

[Wallflower]

Originally posted by VanishingImage
thats cool,thnx:D I might just take a drive out there to check it out,save me the shipping too,less then an hour drive for me.

They probably won't have it on hand, but they might order it if you called ahead. I have 18 of them in my warehouse that they order from and can get one to them by Friday, or Monday next week.

By all means, make the drive anyways. David and Brian are great guys to work with. Let them know Scott from Keystone sent you.

[1995grandam]

what all did you do to install it, besides get those wires out of the way?

[Themeneea]

why is it $50 at driverfx put $110 at pfyc.com?

[Wallflower]

Two different manufacturers for one. Second, the Toucan bar is pretty universal for what you get. The bar is adjustable for length, just change the tower plates and it will fit a Honda, etc.

[brianmf]

Do they make a STB for the rear of a 97 GA?

[Marksman]

Originally posted by 1995grandam
what all did you do to install it, besides get those wires out of the way?

I took the top off that platic housing and with the bar attached on that side, I had enough leverage to pull the bar down and attach it to the base on the right strut. The wiring is tight, but it works. The install in general is very simple. All you need is a torque wrench and sockets and the install is cake.
-Marksman

PS- There is not a Ractive bar for the rear, however there are a few others who manufactire rear STBs.

[brianmf]

Any you can think of? I have looked around on the net a little and haven't been very successful. I can find STB's for 99+ fairly easily, not so for my year.

[jayhawk]

Originally posted by brianmf
Any you can think of? I have looked around on the net a little and haven't been very successful. I can find STB's for 99+ fairly easily, not so for my year.

I have one made a company called Freedom Design. instead of being just a hollow tube, its actually a piece of extruded aluminum. http://www.jayhawk1013.com/pic3link.html

Jay

[Marksman]

I think RSM Racing has one too.
-Marksman

[TYTE-GA]

http://www.streetbeatonline.com/tucp002ba.html (www.streetbeatonline.com) You can also find the Ractive stb's here. Anyways, I have the exact same one (given to me) but, my problem is I have a '99 ga/se.Does anyone know if this stb will fit my '99 even though it's not fot that year?:???:

[93gagt3300]

pertaining to the strut tower brace, i just ordered one for my grand am. you'll definetly notice a differnce in your steering with one. i had one on my mustang, took it off when i started modding the car, and it felt different with out it. i have my grand am and i'm adding one. i've already upgraded the sway bar end links to polyurethane, the bushings are next, and i'm adding a rear sway bar from a 92 buick skylark to my g/a. it should ride nice then. you can get the part numbers to your particular car if you to www.toucanindustries.com good luck.

[v6granddammit]

holy balls i didnt know they actually made stuff for these grand am's i have a 97 4door and the handleing suckx i think well im used to a ws6 firebird too but you know its sloppy could somebody post links where i can buy these stb's i am very interested and i would also like to know about cai ps. that is the longest runon sentence in the world LOL!!!! :):)

[Jimmi94se]

yea, sounddomain and rsm carry strut tower braces

[ace_ga]

I got mine from this guy on ebay. He ships his stuff lightning fast. I got mine in a matter of 2 days. Heres the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2447914650&category=33591

[Jimmi94se]

I was looking at that one, and I tried the URL that's posted across the pic and it didn't work so I was a little disscouraged...

[sound_xtreme]

hey ryan, i am pretty sure i sell these. i can pick one up next time I go to TWH if you give me the money ahead of time. i think they are like 26 (ill need tax money tho on top of that) let me know.

[95-GT]

I am making a rear one this winter.....just gotta find time. Working at a machine shop rocks! lol

But price will probley be around $50-$75, all depending on time + materials.

[RXmar2]

I love mine --- It's not a rActive -- but something else -- I got it about 4 years ago..

I had the same problem with the wire harness -- I just unfastened it from the blower housing to make room for it... Looks good too...

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/323000-323999/323571_37_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/323000-323999/323571_38_full.jpg

[L!m3]

How come Driver FX doesn't give you and option for the color brace you want? Or am I missing something? I'm already to where I enter my CC information.

[Marksman]

I think they only offer the silver/chrome finish.

[TA^Guy]

Shoot, I wish I could have purchased one for $50.
We installed one on a Club Members two door Camry for about $40, and he almost crapped when I told him two for the GA were $200.