[plak424]

Hey everyone, just bought a used strut tower brace, but it didnt come with any hardware or instructions, just wondering what i need and how to install it on my car

[03stanggg]

Kinda depends on which brace you got, but here is a writeup from american muscle on the steeda one.

How To Install A Steeda Mustang Strut Tower Brace (1999-2004 GT/V6) - Installation Instructions at AmericanMuscle.com

[goren813]

^That's what I've got. You'll need 8 bolts with nuts and washers if it really had none, size I don't know off top.

[goren813]

And here's a write-up I made, should be basically the same as AM's.

99-04 3.8L Mustang Strut Tower Brace Installation Write-Up

*Doing all planned suspension work at the same time limits the overall length and difficulty of installation. In turn, this limits your chance for mistakes. Make a plan for your Mustang, order your parts, install, and enjoy the ride!
* Part installed was a Steeda Strut Tower Brace from AmericanMuscle.com
* Tools/parts needed:
Strut brace, bolts/nuts/washers (should be included with brace).
Socket wrench set, as well as an open ended wrench set.
Power drill & bits.
De-burring tool
Box cutter/hack saw, etc.
Screwdrivers
Pencil/marker
Step 1: Prepping car for installation:
- Remove the weather stripping where the hood meets the plastic windshield cowl. Remove the windshield cowl and plastic firewall cover.
- You will need to make a cut-out in the firewall cover for the strut brace to fit flush against the firewall. Line the brace up to the firewall cover, stencil around the brace, and cut out the unneeded material with a saw and/or box cutters, etc. (It’s best to wait til the end to re-install the firewall cover and windshield cowl).
- Now, line up your strut brace on the strut towers and firewall as even as you can get it. (Try to center it over the motor as best you can). Now make markings on top of the strut towers and on the firewall where you will need to drill.
- Now drill the holes that you made markings for (Be sure to size your drill bit to the bolts provided with your strut tower brace).
- Be sure to de-bur all drilled holes to ensure flush fitting of bolts/nuts/washers.
- Remove the front wheels. (Removing the struts and brake system allows more room for ease of installation, but is not necessary, this is why we say to install every component at once!)

Step 2: Installation:
- You can now bolt down your new strut tower brace. This is done easiest with an extra pair of hands.
- For the strut towers, have one person in the wheel well (be sure the car is safely raised on jack stands) and one person over the top of the motor. As one person tightens the bolts down, the other will have to hold the nuts on from underneath the wheel well to ensure a tight fit. Do this for both sides (order does not matter).
- Now you can put your wheels back on and lower the car.
- The hardest part of the install comes now; getting the firewall bolts securely tightened. This is where the guy with small hands and fingers is the champion. Again, one person must tighten the bolts down while the other holds the nuts on. There are a few openings in the top of the firewall (they will be visible once you remove the windshield cowl) for a wrench to be inserted. However you can manage to get those bolts tight is the best way for this. I found that with a long enough, and skinny, arm, one can get his forearm inside the firewall from the driver’s side opening to hold the wrench on the nuts to be tightened. (Don’t forget washers!)
- Be sure the strut brace is firmly tightened, as it will be pointless if it is loose or wobbly at all.
- You may now re-install the firewall cover, windshield cowl, and weather stripping.
- Re-install anything else you may have removed during installation, and clean your work area of tools, loose parts, etc.
- Again check to be sure all bolts are tight and the strut brace is secure. Enjoy!
Sidenote: The Steeda Strut Tower Brace is able to be installed with Maximum Motorsports Caster/Camber plates and fits fine underneath the stock hood. (Any combination of parts may be possible, but I can only speak with certainty on what I have installed, contact your parts manufacturer for exact style and fit).
*Be careful of your coil pack and spark plug wires upon installation, the fit will be snug, but the brace will clear the coil pack if installed properly. Also be sure to run your throttle cable safely as it will also be a snug fit with the brace installed.

[plak424]

thanks guys this is a huge help

[goren813]

No problem, just pass the reps out