what is the correct way to install tower bars?
Should you tightin them to push out ward...leave them even, or tighten them to pull strut towers in?

 

You don't tighten them to move them in or out, you simply tighten them to the existing bolts, at the correct torque value. When it is tightened down, it does its jobs correctly. I fail to see how tightening the bolts would move the shock towers (and the bar) in or out.

 

On both of my bars...they have the ablity to stretch a few inches on each side by screwing the bolts.

 

Just bolt them on. The width adjustability is just a byproduct of the design, not really there for any purpose.

 

wow, glad everyone else agrees that strut bars are not an adjustable piece. i remember conversations here about the "benefits" of adjusting a strut bar. theres no benefit of "tightening" it. it does its job by acting as a structural member. metal stretches elastically until yield deformation. no need to tighten it any further than making it fit.

 

Thanks for the info guys.

 

The only thing that matters is correct torque on the bolts....

 

you may be talking about the adjustability that allows you to make the brackets farther apart or closer together. Mine have these, but once you have it mounted to the struts...you can't make them longer or shorter. Just make sure each side is spaced evenly.
I think my strut bars were the easiest installation I had on my car, ever!!!! I wish all installs were that fun and simple.

 

If you preload the chassis by shortening the bar, you may add a small amount of stiffness to it, but I doubt you will notice the difference.