Sorry to start a new thread related to another super "long" thread that seems to be way off topic at times. First of all, please I ask for your respect and favor, do not turn my thread into a venting/bashing thread. I strictly just want to get some feedback from owners (or vendors if M7 is reading) who have these products installed, not asking for super computer data analysis. I am just interested of the product. Thank you in advance.

Here are my Qs (I have an 06 MCS):

1) Is there any alternation required of any stock parts to install the STB or SRP?
2) Are the mounting surface flush to the sheet metal of the towers? Or just the 3 mounting points are in contact between the braces and towers?
3) Is there any padding material in between the mounting surface? Or is it just metal to metal?
4) How simple is it to install? Can a mechanically inclined person with torque wrench, sockets etc, handle the install without impact gun?
5) By removing the 3 top mount bolts without lifting the car, will the camber setting change and require alignment check?
6) Do the products come with detailed instructions?
7) Does the STB require complete removal of the cross bar for oil change?
8) If possible, please post the period you have had the product (STB or SRP)and any feedback?

Sorry to ask so many Qs, but I really want to get my Qs answered before spending my $? Thanks everybody.

 

1) No (STB)
2) Flush, see pics in my gallery
3) Metal to metal
4) Very simple. No special tools are required
5) No and you don't want to lift the car when doing the install.
6) No, but they aren't needed.
7) No, not with the M7 STB

 

Thanks for such quick and helpful reply. One additional Q for you, do you have any clearance problem between the bar and the hood? Someone mentioned some owners soak or remove the underhood padding on another thread. Thanks again.

 

Yes, but it's very minor IMHO. I did the soak & slam which made it a lot better, but it still raises the back of the bonnet by a few millimeters.

and you're welcome

 

I should have asked in my first post, do you know the torque setting for the 3 bolts? Thank you yet again, again, again.... I feel like tele tubbie saying it.

 

Ditto. I removed the hoodliner dumped about two gallons of water on it, gave it time to soak, put it back, and waited a day or two. Then, I did it again and I still have a small gap. If it doesn't settle down by midweek, I'm going to put the hoodliner in the pool of a local apartment complex and let it really soak. Then we'll see, if that doesn't work, I'm getting out the exacto knife.

 

OMG, be gentle.

 

I cut it out right along where the STB would touch...but I still rub a small spot on the hood..metal to metal...hood to strut bar...i'll snap a pic when i get her back on tuesday with a new wiring harness :D

 

I think that most people use a setting of 20 to 25 ft lbs . There is not a lot of stress on those nutts as the struts are pressed up into the tower and actually held in place more by the weight of the car than anything else. Now if you anticipate a lot of air time well then you might need bigger nuts

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

 

Thanks for all the info. So has anyone had the SRP?

 

I do. Think of them as the strut bar without the bar, and that's pretty much all there is to them. They fit as described above.

 

That is a great description of them. They are almost identical with the exception of the mounting points for the bar .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Hey Randy, don't mean to be pain in the nut, I can't help noticing the towers are not exactly flat to me (hopefully they are not roomed already after just 600 miles with no hard hit). I used a ruler and other flat objects measure against the tower, are the srp plates contour to the shape or are they just flat?

 

If you lay the plates on top and the bolts line up so you can tighten it down you are in fine shape.They may not rest perfectly on the top as there is still a variable between cars. If the bolts do not line up then you have been shrommed and it is time to get out the big hammer and piece of wood.

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

I've got a set of the SRPs on my '05 MC. I installed mine and I am definitely not mechanically inclined. It took me about an hour, 45 mins. of which was spent looking for and retrieving a nut I dropped into the engine compartment. One thing to note is that the nuts don't seat fully onto the bolts due to the thickness of the plates. They don't stick up much, but to be sure I put some loc-tite on the bolts, tightened the nuts, and let it cure overnight. I'm really pleased with the parts.

 

Sounds like you had a rewarding experience. Dropping your nuts can certainly complicate things though

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

I replaced the two outer bolts on the STB with flatter ones to avoid fitment issue there. I also cut two 5" slits on each side in the hood liner impact and covered with metallic tape to avoid and rubbing. Seems to have lowered the hood a little and solve any hard water stain issues.
I will post pics in gallery as don't know how to drag here...

 

Thanks fellow motorists. This is extremely helpful including the PM from Lincoln.