A How to fit a JCW strut brace with an Alta CAI - MINI Cooper Forum

Pobsey · #1 (**permalink**) Apr 25th, 2005, 05:24 PM

Hello, I have just fitted a JCW strut brace on my car with an Alta CAI, thought I would do a quick how to...
Make sure the car is parked on a level surface,

1, Take a 13mm socket and remove the 6 nuts that hold the Strut to the car body (dont jack the car up with these bolts undone

) Place the strut brace in postion and mark on the strut brace the area that needs to be removed.
See photos below

2, Remove CAI heat shield and cut the area marked out (I used a Jr hacksaw and a file)
Once you have done this replace the heat shield and retry the brace (with the rubber seal on the top of the heat shield)

3, Install both the right and left hand brackets, just pinch the nuts up, then attach the central section to the right hand bracket, then adjust the length of the central section by undoing the 17mm nut and turn central section to undo the thread, once the central section is the correct length bolt it to the left hand bracket.

4, Tighten up the 6 nuts (3 on each side) to 81Nm and tighten the 2 allen bolts along with the 2 nuts that adjust the length central section.

Hope this helps any questions just ask

Oh one more thing If you mess it up its not my fault so you do this at your own risk!

RedUn · #2 (**permalink**) Apr 26th, 2005, 09:55 PM

I did the same but used a dremel to get a nice smooth finish to the cut out but i'm like that

I also cut the seal and replaced it just after the brace to just to make sure there are no squeaks as well..........other than that spot on

SharkReef · #3 (**permalink**) Aug 6th, 2005, 05:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pobsey

4, Tighten up the 6 nuts (3 on each side) to 81Nm and tighten the 2 allen bolts along with the 2 nuts that adjust the length central section.

Anyone know if this is the right torque setting for just a regular install on the JCW Strut Bar? I read on Motoring file.com that it should be at 34 Nm. Any help suggestion would be great!!!

Thanks

RedUn · #4 (**permalink**) Aug 6th, 2005, 01:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SharkReef

Anyone know if this is the right torque setting for just a regular install on the JCW Strut Bar? I read on Motoring file.com that it should be at 34 Nm. Any help suggestion would be great!!!

Thanks

just tighten them up so they aint comin off

don't over tighten them tho or else theres a good chance they will shear off

SharkReef · #5 (**permalink**) Aug 6th, 2005, 09:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedUn

just tighten them up so they aint comin off

don't over tighten them tho or else theres a good chance they will shear off

Thanks RedUn!!!

I installed it today in about 25 minutes or so. Most of that time was spent looking for the right tools. I had to go out and buy a 30 piece hex key set just to get the ONE that I needed. I haven't got to really go out and drive it yet but here are some pics.

MiniMelSF · #6 (**permalink**) Aug 8th, 2005, 11:27 PM

For what it's worth, I tightened mine (on my newly-installed JCW strut brace) to 34 NM. According to Bentley's manual, the top strut mount bolts are torqued to 34 NM, and I figured that the new bolts would not be any different, but maybe this was wrong. They sure felt snug enough to me and none stripped. Anyone know for sure?

Rakey · #7 (**permalink**) Aug 8th, 2005, 11:55 PM

I would recommend that they are set with a torque wrench, rather than the as tight as you can method

Also the nuts I believe are a locking nut I believe from what I have read on this forum, so if you take them off, you should replace them with new ones to ensure they don't work undone

RedUn · #8 (**permalink**) Aug 9th, 2005, 08:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by SharkReef

Thanks RedUn!!!

I installed it today in about 25 minutes or so. Most of that time was spent looking for the right tools. I had to go out and buy a 30 piece hex key set just to get the ONE that I needed. I haven't got to really go out and drive it yet but here are some pics.

looks fantastic

RedUn · #9 (**permalink**) Aug 9th, 2005, 08:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

I would recommend that they are set with a torque wrench, rather than the as tight as you can method

Also the nuts I believe are a locking nut I believe from what I have read on this forum, so if you take them off, you should replace them with new ones to ensure they don't work undone

ever checked how tight yer wheel bolts are after they have been set to the correct torque??

trust me I prefer the as tight as you can method

i've never torqued anything in my life and there have been no problems so far

also yes they are locking nuts and should be replaced a but a drop of threadlock will keep them from going anywhere