REAR STRUT BRACE (OMP) FITTING

**Kirbs** · 07-11-2008

Has anybody fitted a rear strut brace to a Stilo? I've got one but am wondering what the correct fitting method is. The bolts at the top of the rear suspension are held in place with a nut, but if you try to remove the nut the bolt just spins around. However, the top of the bolt is square thus you can grip the bolt to remove the nut. The fixings at each end of the strut brace are tubular (about 3" long) and blocked off at one end except for a small hole for the bolt to slip through. Thus if you place this over the bolt you can then place the nut on the bolt and tighten to hold the strut brace in place. You would of course need a long socket fitting allow the nut to reach the bottom of the bolt. But heres the rub how do you stop the bolt from rotating when you try to tighten the bolt when you can't get to the end of the bolt to prevent it rotating when your socket and driver completely cover the end of the bolt?

**AAnuctgeonnorce** · 07-12-2008

Use a ring spanner instead of a socket.

**Coliansi** · 07-12-2008

Sometimes the obvious answers are the right ones hey Morty.

Is there a specific tool for holding the top of the strut bolt? i used mollgrips when i did mine and they chewed the bolt top a bit >:(

The only problem with using a ring spanner is not being able to tighten to a specific torque.

**Kirbs** · 07-12-2008

[quote author=Morty Mort link=topic=1121.msg8745#msg8745 date=1215850622]
Use a ring spanner instead of a socket.
[/quote]

The end of the strut brace is tubular (i.e. same as the cardboard centre of a roll of toilet paper) the nut goes on the bolt and down the tube as you tighten, hence you can't use a spanner you have to use a socket.

**PNL** · 07-12-2008

Photos of your dilemma would be a help 8)

**AAnuctgeonnorce** · 07-13-2008

[quote author=Kirbs link=topic=1121.msg8751#msg8751 date=1215890967]
[quote author=Morty Mort link=topic=1121.msg8745#msg8745 date=1215850622]
Use a ring spanner instead of a socket.
[/quote]

The end of the strut brace is tubular (i.e. same as the cardboard centre of a roll of toilet paper) the nut goes on the bolt and down the tube as you tighten, hence you can't use a spanner you have to use a socket.
[/quote]

I see. Difficult this one, I didn't know the strut brace was that high. You still might need an offset ring spanner with a large (high) offset then - they do exist, as I've got a set. I have encountered similiar problems on previous cars when changing front shocks, but not exactly like this.

M.

**Kirbs** · 07-13-2008

Well took a picture and reduced the size to 76kb but the only response I keep getting is "The attachments upload directory is not writable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved." So if you know how solve this please let me know!!!!!

**Kirbs** · 08-01-2008

Well got an email from the OMP retailer today trying to sell me some more OMP stuff so I went to the website, www.ybracing.co.uk in the hope that they may have some fitting instructions. What did I find? Only that the model they sent for the rear is for a Honda Civic. Bleeding muppets!!! Wouldn't mind but I ordered the package deal of front and rear strutbaces for the Stilo and they only managed to get the front one right. I suppose I should be grateful they got half of the order right.

**Coliansi** · 08-02-2008

That explains the difficulty with fitting then.
I remember another member ChrisMClark i think it was had a nightmare with that company.

If you ever get to the bottom of the issue, let us know ;D