Strut Brace problems, sign of a diff problem?

[bolivianpimp]

Ok let me start off by saying I don’t know much about suspension components. So, I got a ford racing strut tower brace that I attempted to install this weekend. Seemed pretty straight forward, unbolt 2 strut nuts on each side and it should fit. Well it did not; the bar was too “wide” to fit on the studs on both sides. People suggested that I lift the car just slightly, then unbolt the nuts and fit the strut tower brace on top. Well my concern is, could I throw my alignment off by forcing the studs to move? Is this difference in distance a sign that I have a different suspension problem? Could it be that my alignment is slightly off and it causes the studs not to fit right? I have noticed that my left front tire has a slight wear on the inside than on the outside. Thanks for the help.

 

[07 Boss]

You should jack the front of your car up. This will straighten up the suspension and it won't "sag." Then when you get the brace back on and lower it back down it preloads the brace. And Yes, it may change your alignment, so you should have it checked. Sounds like it was off a bit anyways.

 

[BSell]

If the strut brace pushes your struts outwards, making your camber more positive, is the brace defeating any positives it may add?

Can you slot the attaching points to leave the struts as they are?

 

[bolivianpimp]

You should jack the front of your car up. This will straighten up the suspension and it won't "sag." Then when you get the brace back on and lower it back down it preloads the brace. And Yes, it may change your alignment, so you should have it checked. Sounds like it was off a bit anyways.

Yeah i think the alingment might have been a bit off before hand. So when the car is up in the air with the nuts unbolted, then put the brace on and then bolt the nuts. After, drop the car and check the alignment of the car correcT?

If the strut brace pushes your struts outwards, making your camber more positive, is the brace defeating any positives it may add?

Can you slot the attaching points to leave the struts as they are?

I am having second thoughts about even putting the brace on now, this problem kind of led me away from it. By slot, do you mean expanding the holes on the strut tower brace? if so, it would just make the existing holes bigger and give the brace more room to move around wouldnt it?

This suspension stuff is a learning experience for me lol

 

[Matrix]

The brace could be slightly off, not the car.