Took delivery of my M7 Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates but no install instructions!?. Hoping someone who has done this DIY can post up the instructs.

-Is it as simple as unscrewing the 3 bolts and dropping the plates on top?
-do i need longer bolts since the plates are about 1" thick?
-proper torque?

If M7 is reading this, please post up the full install istructions.
Thanks.

 

Yes.
No. But that may be up for debate.
25 ft/lbs torque

 

Take everything apart. Put it back together. Don't screw it up.

To answer your questions:
Yes.
No - unfortunately the bolts are pressed into the strut 'hat'.
Don't know (but if you're in a hurry, German torque works - 'guttentight' Those bolts are usually in the 25-35lb range)

 

1) disasemble car
2) add M7 parts
3) call for help when parts don't quite fit.
4) Make parts fit!
5) post instructions on NAM for others.

 

Yea, before I put mine on I was worried that unscrewing the 3 nuts would loosen the whole strut assembly and have it fall out. Ha. But I called Peter and he answered (on a saturday ) and I put them right on. Torqued to 25 ft lbs. Looks great! It's a shame you can't see them from the outside!

 

This was one of the easiest mods ever. I was pretty surprised that it wasn't one of my typical 3 trips to the parts store jobs:
1- Get the parts I think I need
2- Return parts, and get the right parts
3- Buy special tool to install the right parts...

 

I bought their M7 strut bar & it did come with instructions. My belief is that they had a preschooler do them. Instructions aren't really needed, but if you include them they should be well done. Love the bar & laughed at the instructions.

For your plates, just remove the nuts place the plate on, then retighten the nuts. Done!!!

 

Thanks for all the responses, even the loopy ones.

 

This mod should be at the top of the list for easy DIY wether with instuctions or not. The only caution is to not over tighten the bolts, 25 FT lbs max. I have had 2 other bars on my car and neither came with instructions. As far as mods go this one is pretty obvious as to the install procedure.

 

I would only add.....Blu loctite.

Tim

 

Wow, this sounds easy enough for just about anybody, including me, to do! My plates come in next week and I look forward to flattening out the small "crease" in my driver side tower and getting the plates in place. Thanks for the reminder on blue loctite, too!

GoodFinder

 

I will ask my precious daughter if she wrote the SRP how to...

I'm sorry if the "How to's" where omitted, but remember we are always
available by phone or a fast PM, and I mean always.

Nut of.........

Plate on......

Nut on.......

25 ft lbs......

That's it

peter
team M7
562-608-8123

 

here is my step by step after speaking with Peter:

1. here is the passenger tower w/nuts removed:



2. Plate placed on tower:


3. Close-up of visible bolt through plate:



4. Nuts installed at 25 ft/lbs w/blue loctite:



5. Close up of installed nut:

 

I used a thread locker, too. Seemed to me it is needed because the bolts do not extend through the nuts.

 

doesnt thread tight create a difficult bond to unscrew??

 

^^ yep, but only enough to not loosen by itself.

don't use loctite red. blue is the one you want.

 

As long as you use the proper thread locker you'll have no problems breaking the nut free if the need arises. Locktite 242 BLUE is what you want. DO NOT USE Loctite stud & bearing mount!!! The red stuff. If you do, heat with a torch to break it's bond. IMO thread locker isn't needed in this application, although it won't hurt either.

 

Peter of m7 said that he never uses nor do any of the dealers use loctite of any kind.

 

Not excactly true....

I said the strut tower bolts do not come with any loc-tite on them from the factory. Using some blue does not hurt one bit, but is not necessary.

peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

I understand that the bolts provided with the JCW strut brace do come with a a blue coating on the threads that is similar to Loctite.

 

how hard is the nut with this blue stuff on it to get off and on? Never used the substance.

 

It's a piece of cake.

 

"As long as you use the proper thread locker you'll have no problems breaking the nut free if the need arises."

Do not use a piece of cake, makes a terrible mess & draws flies. Use a socket & a ratchet.

 

yes thanx. i do have some blue coloured sugar glaze I could use, always knew it had more uses than just writing Happy Birthday.

THe blue stuff prevents corrosion as well right? Could make it easier to remove than a raw nut after 5 years. I would guess a 13 mm knuckle saver solid wrench would be best to get it off. Apparently, the bolt head on the other side just remains stationary?

Should I try the blue? once the blue is broken, can it be stripped clean easily and re-applied?

 

Blue sugar glaze....MMMMM.

Yes the locktite will help prevent corrosion by keeping water out of the treads. At least that has been my experience.

I didn't use loctite on my car. I don't feel it is necessary in this application. Although it won't hurt if you do use it.

You could use a box wrench or a socket. I prefer to use 6 point sockets. Less chance of slipping & damaging fasteners or knuckles.

The treaded parts coming up through the strut tower are studs. They won't turn as you loosen & tighten the nuts.

Once you remove the nuts at a later date, a bit of brake cleaner & a wire brush will clean the locktite off.

PS... Don't use your gorilla muscles to tighten the nuts. You will break the studs. Easy does it works best.