Puretech x-brace install

[bavarian3]

For those who installed the pure-tech x brace, how well did the hole line up for you between the shock tower plates and the x-bar?

I tinkered around with different ways to get this aligned before I do any drilling into the shock tower and the holes don't line up.

I checked to be sure the tower plates fit fine, which they do, as shown. No gaps or issues.








Now trying to align the x-bar...driver side holes align perfectly





but the passenger side...






If I try to put the bolts through the x-bar and tower plates first, then secure the tower plates to the tower, i end up with gaps like so...




Puretech claims they haven't seen this issue before. My car is pretty darn clean and unmolested so I'm not thinking it's racp or shock tower uniformity issue. Only thing I can think is when I drill the holes in the tower the bolts will pull things in where there's gaps, concern is deforming the shock tower make this happen.

What does everyone think?

[Tagging robgill and liam821 from some previous threads I found on this topic.]

[fourmula1]

If this is just a street car you are probably more than fine slotting the holes on the tabs ever so slightly. In theory there would be a little play but probably wont matter once you torque everything down.

If you really want it solid, install the tower plates and torque them down, install the x-bar through the chassis and torque down, and then weld the x-bar to the tabs on the plates and forego the bolts all together.

[9kracing]

Based on this pic they don't seem to be off by much.... maybe your car is just off by a millimeter after 20 years?

Is the car on completely flat ground?

[robgill]

I've installed two of these. I would loosen up the bolts on the top of the tower bracket. Then line up and install the 4 bolts in the cross brace. Now tighten down the 4 bolts on top of the tower. Last step is drill and install the 4 horizontal tower bolts. I dont see any issue with the horizantal gap but you could insert some washers if needed.

+1 on make sure the car is on the ground

[bavarian3]

If this is just a street car you are probably more than fine slotting the holes on the tabs ever so slightly. In theory there would be a little play but probably wont matter once you torque everything down.

If you really want it solid, install the tower plates and torque them down, install the x-bar through the chassis and torque down, and then weld the x-bar to the tabs on the plates and forego the bolts all together.

Yep figure this is what i'll do as a last resort, I do like the welding idea better though.

Based on this pic they don't seem to be off by much.... maybe your car is just off by a millimeter after 20 years?

Is the car on completely flat ground?

I've installed two of these. I would loosen up the bolts on the top of the tower bracket. Then line up and install the 4 bolts in the cross brace. Now tighten down the 4 bolts on top of the tower. Last step is drill and install the 4 horizontal tower bolts. I dont see any issue with the horizantal gap but you could insert some washers if needed.

+1 on make sure the car is on the ground

I did this method and that's how I ended up with the gap.

To answer the question about the car being on the ground, it certainly isn't. It's lifted on quickjacks. It currently has no rear suspension. I only bolted in the subframe itself to do the x-brace install. I didn't consider this(car being off the ground) initially.

[0-60motorsports]

Yeah put the car back on the ground first and then check, it should be fine using the methods the members above have mentioned.

[simonnim]

Not trying to hijack the thread by has anyone checked on rigidity improvements vs Vince bar or even a half cage.

[liam821]

I've installed two of these. I would loosen up the bolts on the top of the tower bracket. Then line up and install the 4 bolts in the cross brace. Now tighten down the 4 bolts on top of the tower. Last step is drill and install the 4 horizontal tower bolts. I dont see any issue with the horizantal gap but you could insert some washers if needed.

+1 on make sure the car is on the ground

This is what I did. Mine was off a hair as well during install, but my car has been though a lot so I'm not surprised.

[fattycharged]

Anyone installed the DSWorks 6 point in the forum? I’m waffling back and forth on paying the invoice for it, but I really like the idea of tying the front points in and no one else seems to offer that.

[Tbonem3]

CMP does. I think Yurkan does as well.

[fattycharged]

CMP does. I think Yurkan does as well.

ah yes, good call, forgot about the CMP option.

[Teemmy]

Does this brace require welding or drilling? Or it’s just a bolt on affair?

[Nate047]

You have to cut holes through the carpet and top layer of the floor panel with a hole saw for the brace to go into place. It sits flush against the inner part of the floor directly above the subframe mounts.

There is a less obtrusive version of this style of brace made by Yurkan Cages, where the bottom portion runs kind of along the floor of the trunk and the top portion is quickly removable for occasions where you temporarily need more trunk space.

[bavarian3]

Teemmy two 48mm holes in the floor. 4 bolt holes total through the shock towers.

To update everyone - the car is on the ground now, but unfortunately no difference in the alignment of the holes. I really don't want gaps from the plates and shock towers as shown above, so I think I'll torque them down first, then grind the x-brace to plate holes as needed.

liam821 how did you solve yours being off?

[chalaka]

Does this brace require welding or drilling? Or it’s just a bolt on affair?

just some minor drilling, and the rest are bolted on...