Strut brace question

[andyb16]

I just got a front strut brace for my 92 and was wondering how involved it is to install. I looked at it and can see I need to take the plates off of the top of the strut tower. I am not very familiar with suspension stuff, so here is my question. Is that all I have to remove, or is there more to take off? Are the plates connected to the strut itself, or not? My dad usually helps me with stuff like this, but he's out of town. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[JekylandHyde]

I am not sure what you mean by "plates" ... but the stock strut tower in the front is held in by 2 bolts in the center and then just 2 bolts on the side (which are 2 of the 8 bolts that hold the top of the strut to the car).

The install of this piece is really straight forward.

[andyb16]

They're not really plates, I couldn't think of how to describe it. There are 4 bolts around the top of the strut. They look like they hold another piece on that doesn't look like it's actually connected to the rest of the car. There is another bolt to hte inside side of the strut that holds the stock brace on. I know that's where it goes, but how do I get to the other end of the bolt to put the nut on? The nuts that came with it are the kind you hand tighten, not regular nuts. Sorry if I seem ignorant, but I just don't want to take it apart and not be able to put it back together. Thanks!

[JekylandHyde]

The four bolts that are aroundthe top of hte strut are holding the strut in place. I would not change that hardware for something you "hand tighten."

[andyb16]

Allright, I got a better chance to look at the bolts. They aren't hand tighten, they look like they take a socket to tighten them. I just need to know how to get to the other end of them, under the top of the tower.