Pfadt Racing Strut Tower Brace and Sport Swaybar Install!

[topgun1]

I take it the engine cover can slip off from underneath the strut tower brace?

[PfadtRacing]

Michael_Js, it looks as though you just didn't drill the hole perpendicular to the surface, and then you tried to install the rivnut, with some of it falling off of the bracket it is supposed to be centered on, and flush with. If you do not install it flush, to the bracket, it will be angled like you experienced, and then the bolt will not thread in straight.

We can hunt down an extra one if you need to sell it. That is really a shame though. This strut bar really aligns itself for drilling. That is why we recommend center punching and drilling smaller to begin the install.

Shoot me your address via PM and we will see if we can get something to you.

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by PHEOX

Do you guys have any idea on how much G forces the car will put down now?

Since you asked, we just recently put this video together out at Miller Motorsports Park here in Utah. This video shows a peak of 1.34gs!

Here is a link to the Camaro5 thread:

Camaro5 Thread

and here is the video (screen shot below of 1.34g)

[madmaxx18]

you should do 50% millitary discount. lol

[Michael_Js]

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

Michael_Js, it looks as though you just didn't drill the hole perpendicular to the surface, and then you tried to install the rivnut, with some of it falling off of the bracket it is supposed to be centered on, and flush with. If you do not install it flush, to the bracket, it will be angled like you experienced, and then the bolt will not thread in straight.

We can hunt down an extra one if you need to sell it. That is really a shame though. This strut bar really aligns itself for drilling. That is why we recommend center punching and drilling smaller to begin the install.

Shoot me your address via PM and we will see if we can get something to you.

Yes, I know that's what happened, except, I did punch and drill it with 2 smaller bits. I also broke the 2 smaller bits making the started holes. It obviously did not go well ;(

Thanks - PM sent.
Michael J.

[radz28]

I'm sure it'll work out for you.

That area is probably that high-strength-low-alloy-steel, so it's probably the hardest steel on the car (there are other places it would be used, too, but probably not of this thickness), so it's not suprising; it still sucks, but I'm sure you'll get squared away now

[Michael_Js]

I hope so! Pfadt sent me a good suggestion on how to repair and install. I already sent it to my local mechanic to see if they can fix my blunder ;( Pfadt is also sending me another RivNut - Thanks!

Thanks,
Michael J.

[speedy_g]

id like a cost and where to get tower brace ???

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by speedy_g

id like a cost and where to get tower brace ???

$325, we would be happy to work with you.

[Berean]

Ok, I started looking at installing mine today.

I have a couple of issues. (I guess these are addressed to Pfadt, but anyone who knows, please reply)

1. What's the 5/16th allen wrench for? I assumed it was for the bolts, but they are larger than 5/16th. So what do you tighten the bolts down with?

2. How do you install the rivnuts? The instructions say "install rivnuts with installation tool". The "tool" is a bolt and two other pieces. Which piece goes where in relation to the rivnut? It looks like the bolt part of the installation "tool" isn't used during installation but you actually use the regular hex head bolt for installation. Correct? Pictures?

3. It says to make sure the bottom part of the "tool" doesn't rotate during installation. What does that mean? The bottom part appears to be the aluminum piece, which can't be held with a wrench.


Anyway, it doesn't seem like it should be this complicated. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done.

[Michael_Js]

Originally Posted by Berean

Ok, I started looking at installing mine today.

I have a couple of issues. (I guess these are addressed to Pfadt, but anyone who knows, please reply)

1. What's the 5/16th allen wrench for? I assumed it was for the bolts, but they are larger than 5/16th. So what do you tighten the bolts down with?

2. How do you install the rivnuts? The instructions say "install rivnuts with installation tool". The "tool" is a bolt and two other pieces. Which piece goes where in relation to the rivnut? It looks like the bolt part of the installation "tool" isn't used during installation but you actually use the regular hex head bolt for installation. Correct? Pictures?

3. It says to make sure the bottom part of the "tool" doesn't rotate during installation. What does that mean? The bottom part appears to be the aluminum piece, which can't be held with a wrench.


Anyway, it doesn't seem like it should be this complicated. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done.

1: Not sure, it seems to have no use. You'll meed a much bigger one to tighten down the bolts.

2: The "tool" is the bolt that the silver RivNut is screwed into. You don't use those silver ones, you use the gold ones that are in the pack. Screw that installation bolt & nut into a gold RivNut. Then hold the nut with a wrench as you screw in the bolt. This will cause the RivNut to compress (mushroom) inside the fender.

3: other than holding that nut on the installation bolt, I don't see any other way to "hold" the RivNut. I am pretty sure it's referring to holding the nut with a wrench as you tighten the bolt.

BE VERY careful you make the 1st hole over the prop rod bracket correctly. Else, the rest is worthless. Mine will be fixed next week by my local mechanic since I screwed up that 1st location - even though I used a center punch and broke 2 pilot drill bits ;(

Good luck!
Michael J.

PS Please chime in if I have steered him wrong in any way - I'm not the best person to be giving advice on this install

[Berean]

Originally Posted by Michael_Js

1: Not sure, it seems to have no use. You'll meed a much bigger one to tighten down the bolts.

2: The "tool" is the bolt that the silver RivNut is screwed into. You don't use those silver ones, you use the gold ones that are in the pack. Screw that installation bolt & nut into a gold RivNut. Then hold the nut with a wrench as you screw in the bolt. This will cause the RivNut to compress (mushroom) inside the fender.

3: other than holding that nut on the installation bolt, I don't see any other way to "hold" the RivNut. I am pretty sure it's referring to holding the nut with a wrench as you tighten the bolt.

BE VERY careful you make the 1st hole over the prop rod bracket correctly. Else, the rest is worthless. Mine will be fixed next week by my local mechanic since I screwed up that 1st location - even though I used a center punch and broke 2 pilot drill bits ;(

Good luck!
Michael J.

PS Please chime in if I have steered him wrong in any way - I'm not the best person to be giving advice on this install

Thanks for the reply. What you're saying makes sense about the rivnut install. I'm pretty sure I get it now. Box wrench on the black nut, tighten with the socket wrench on the bolt, gold rivnut in the hole.

However that brings up a couple of questions (I guess for Pfadt)

1. Why the 5/16th wrench in the instructions? Mistake? What size do I need for the bolts?

2. What's the aluminum nut for on the "tool"? Confusing, especially if you look at the picture (yellow card) enclosed in the bag with the tool. It shows the aluminum nut below the sheet metal. I figured it must be part of the install.

[Michael_Js]

Originally Posted by Berean

Thanks for the reply. What you're saying makes sense about the rivnut install. I'm pretty sure I get it now. Box wrench on the black nut, tighten with the socket wrench on the bolt, gold rivnut in the hole.

However that brings up a couple of questions (I guess for Pfadt)

1. Why the 5/16th wrench in the instructions? Mistake? What size do I need for the bolts?

2. What's the aluminum nut for on the "tool"? Confusing, especially if you look at the picture (yellow card) enclosed in the bag with the tool. It shows the aluminum nut below the sheet metal. I figured it must be part of the install.

Can't answer the first one...I think you have the rest correct.

I believe the answer I got, from Pfadt, on the 2nd one is that the tool - the bolt & nut, comes attached to the RivNut. It's just not the one we should be using for the install.

Good luck!
Michael J.

[Berean]

Originally Posted by Michael_Js

Can't answer the first one...I think you have the rest correct.

I believe the answer I got, from Pfadt, on the 2nd one is that the tool - the bolt & nut, comes attached to the RivNut. It's just not the one we should be using for the install.

Good luck!
Michael J.

Thanks, I appreciate the reply. I think I'm good now to begin the install.

Toss the aluminum rivnet and figure out what size allen wrench to use on the bolts and I'm ready to begin.

Note to Pfadt: You should review your instructions and make them more user friendly. Also, if we don't need items like the aluminum rivnet, don't include them in the kit. It's unnecessarily confusing.