im trying to install my full-race traction bars and i seem to be running into problems. ive removed the radiator mounts and now im trying to bolt up the tow hooks of the traction bar but im having a hell of a time trying to get the holes to line up. ive gotten one side bolted up (not torqued yet) and the other side i have one bolt, but im having problems getting the last two bolts in. im on level ground and yet i still can't get all the bolts in. can anyone give me any suggestions. i was frustrated enough to quit a little early, but i have an idea to start to lower one side of the car to maybe see it the chassis will flex enough to get the last two bolts in. the car has never been in a wreck btw.

 

I'm a little confused which ones you are talking about........are you talking about the 6 bolts (3 on each side) that replace where the tow hooks go? Or the 4 LONG (2 on each side) from underneath. I remember mine being a little tight. I ended up loosening them both up and tightening them all down again. Impact wrench helped too.

Now that I think about it..........yea, it was all a tight fit, but I guess that is a good thing.

 

yeah im talking about where the tow hooks attach ( the 3 bolts on each side). its just such a tight fit im having trouble lining up the holes to get the bolts in. its so close, ive tried a rubber mallet to try and get it to force in there, but i just don't have enough leverage and force to really get a good hit.

 

Can you cut the holes a little larger? I know that is smthing you dont want to do on a almost $500 set up, but it may be an option.

 

yeah its only a few cm so i might be able to get after some more persuasion. i really don't want to enlarge those holes if not needed, but its something to think about i suppose. thanks for the idea.

 

Well good luck post some pics when your done! I was wanting to get that same setup for my swaped hatch. I just need to fix my idle issues then get back to my big brake kit and rear disc swap

 

Forget the rubber mallet, beat that thing in with a hammer.

 

i don't want to scratch it lol. however ill probably get the 8lb mallet out and a piece of wood and see if that bar would like to change its mind.

 

BFH solves most problems.

 

I had to use a jack to get mine lined up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rioninja &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had to use a jack to get mine lined up.</TD></TR></TABLE>
i like that idea. i have no idea why i didn't just think of that. thanks man, im sure that will do the trick.

 

I used pole jack and long pry bar on mine.

 

an extra set of hands always helps. I would suggest to use someone or if not, a jack would work. place the bolts in loosely, then once they are all in tighten them down.

 

make sure the car is relatively level on jackstands...this helps a lot. like UltimX said, an extra set of hands and threading in the hardware by hand helps quite a bit too.

here a few pics that might help....havent had time to update the install guides yet.

 

damn those new full-race bars without the bling factor gold

 

bling titanium&gt;bling gold

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 88 rex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">bling titanium&gt;bling gold </TD></TR></TABLE>

good point. guess thats what i get for being greedy and not waiting

 

I'm curious as to where the radiator lower prongs go into. I have a set waiting to be put in, but by the looks of it, I might need to provide a bushing of some sort to fit inside the holes. so the radiator isn't rubbing up against the metal.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sgt_Ox &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm curious as to where the radiator lower prongs go into. I have a set waiting to be put in, but by the looks of it, I might need to provide a bushing of some sort to fit inside the holes. so the radiator isn't rubbing up against the metal.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Mine just sits in the holes. Alos, my stock rad hit the hood so i had to cut a hole in my hood.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rioninja &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had to use a jack to get mine lined up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

YES.......the best way...and easiest

 

well guys after further looking at it, i am now led to believe my frame might be slightly tweeked. i got under the car again and was able to get the 3 bolts to bolt up where the tow hook connects on the passenger side. now with the bolts super loose i was able to get only 1 bolt to bolt up on the driver side.



in this pic i can get the bolt in the top hole, however the middle hole is off by probably less than a mm, its only off a slight bit. and the 3rd hole (the one on the bottom left just simply wont line up. if i can get 2 bolts in on the driver side would you consider this safe. this car had no reports for collision on carfax and the damage seems minimal. i really don't want to spend the money to get the frame pulled, but i don't want this to be dangerous. im not even sure how much it would be to get it pulled, but i couldn't imagine it to be cheap. what would you do? im going to have to shave just a little on the middle hole to get the 2nd bolt in there, and im not going to run but two bolts on the driver side. with everything else bolted up, do you think i am taking any real of risk? thanks to anyone that can help. im super frustrated to see this end up holding me back.

 

early morning bump

 

anyone?

 

Full-Race Javier;

What are the specific radiator options with the current bar? The full race site states that you have to remove the existing lower mounts and even then have to tilt the stock radiator back for clearance.

It's that or buy the custom half width radiator.

To be specific, I'm currently running a full width (Modine) DA radiator (B18C swap) and would consider buying the bar if the radiator sits in the stock location and I don't have to cut the underside of the hood.

Wes

 

opinions?