GTS Strut bar install on sedan! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

gr91 · 07-09-2011, 01:49 AM

just got my gts strut bar but im goin to instal it right after i install my new drop springs when they come in. but anyway wondering if i could just drill those two pre holes that are already on the firewall? ill post pics when i can. but i would like to prepare everything for an easy installation.

***PhatRoyale*** · 07-09-2011, 08:38 AM

Sure, but make sure you remove the windshield cowl panel before drilling just to make sure there's nothing located behind the firewall.

gr91 · 07-09-2011, 01:50 PM

Ok this is what im talking about. I Assume that that black switch or sensor goes to the hole on the left OVER the Strut bar right?

Here's The GTS Strut bar I got from SCT.

It was dirty in all the crevices and what not, and he mentioned minor surface rust. Its pretty decent.. i started sanding off the rust to smooth it out.

Im goin to paint it white to match the car color. Im also thinking about Painting my Valve Cover. Has anyone done there's? Ive read a DIY in the '93 corolla section. Pretty damn clean valve covers! But one thing at a time. And thanks for the suggestion PhatRoyale. I went out there this morning and its got like 10 screws and i assume that i have to remove the windshield wipers too.? so im goin to get to it, maybe tomorrow if I Have time. and no use for my car. also how big and what type of screws should i use?

***REN69*** · 07-10-2011, 08:49 AM

yes but I believe you won't have the nuts that are welded to the back of the firewall inside the cabin. You'll probably have to use washers as well.

MzKzM · 07-10-2011, 12:41 PM

Eigther river some nuts in those holes or use some washers and locknuts to mount them. Worked for 7 years for me now.

***PhatRoyale*** · 07-10-2011, 01:09 PM

Yep, you'll definitely have to remove the wipers and wiper arms to get at the cowl panel.

You'll want a large diameter stainless steel bolt (as large as possible to fill the holes) with some nyloc nuts to hold things together.

Here's what they look like:
http://www.fastfix.in/nyloc_nuts.htm

***SCT*** · 07-10-2011, 08:25 PM

Pretty much what I did to install mine. Drill those two holes, use a large bolt and tighten a nut on the backside.

gr91 · 07-12-2011, 01:16 AM

ahh ok, i guess ill use larger washers large bolts nylon lock nuts and a Locking washer as well, just want it to be really tight and locked up. no need for play. slright cool then I'll get to it soon. ill just go to home depot for all this, it seems cheaper and faster!

***Kiwi-Corolla*** · 07-12-2011, 01:42 AM

Try and get stainless nuts and washers if you can. That way they won't rust. When I installed my strut brace on my 7th Gen I just moved the sensor out of the way by drilling a hole further down (under the lip) and used a slightly larger screw to hold it in place. Then I drilled through the existing indentations (as seen in your photo) with an appropriately sized drill piece, put the original bolts through, then put a stainless washer on each bolt on the firewall side and finished by using some stainless nyloc nuts. Just chuck a spanner on the firewall side and tighten the nuts using a ratchet from the engine bay side. Won't be going anywhere after that