Pfyc/speed Built Strut Tower Brace

Like many mail order/internet sales companies, PFYC started out of a garage, but unfortunately their commitment to quality and customer service seems to be still parked in one. In the end, the product worked, but my opinion of PFYC is quite low based on employee attitudes and commitment to customer service and product excellence.

I ordered the front strut tower brace in red (great match for GM bright red) for around $108 shipped. Since SLP, Mantapart and others have stop making braces for our application, I figured I better grab a Speed Built before they were gone as well.

The package arrived in a timely manner and all components were packed securely. The installation instructions on their website, (copied from Next Level, a previous manufacturer of braces) and NOT included with the parts, state it's an easy 15 minute install. That would be true if the parts are machined correctly, but unfortunately, mine were not. The seemingly only customer service rep for PFYC, Kevin, informed me in a not too nice way that I'm the first customer to ever experience this problem. So that makes me the bad guy and that I must be doing something wrong, right? A terrible statement to make to a customer.

The problem was the eye bolts would not thread into the brace bar straight or completely. Mike, the CEO, informed me after inspecting them that it was powder coating overspray, but let me assure you that definitely was not the case.

So, after about 1/2 hour of screwing around (pardon the pun), I pack the whole thing up and send it back to PFYC which costs me $6. Kevin informs me that if they find the brace defective, they will reimburse me my shipping costs.

Upon opening the "replacement" package, I notice the bar has a similar blemish on one end near the threads. I later find out from Mike that this was the same bar that they originally shipped to me, but that he had run a tap through it to clean the treads. Obviously then, they found they couldn't get the bolts to thread either! I have a tap and die set and was thinking about doing this myself...but based on the crookedness on the one side of threads, I felt I would do more damage to the bar and ruin any chance of getting a replacement or refund.

I screw the bolts in effortlessly (like I should have been able to the first time) and bolt everything together as the instructions show without great detail or clarity. Here's where you can start to find the lack of attention to detail. The instructions (again...stressing that they are NOT included with the parts) state you need a 14mm deep well socket to remove the two strut nuts. Hmm...13mm standard well is the appropriate fit. Then the instructions state you should twist the bar to get it to fit onto the passenger side strut bolts. But which way do you twist? One can figure this out as you start twisting the bar, but I feel it should be noted in the instructions. Once you have both ends bolted down onto the strut bolts, you are supposed to twist the bar to tighten it. Again...telling someone that either direction will work depending on which bar end is at what side would be the thorough, professional approach. Sadly, Mike infers that I might have a lack of mechanical skills (I'm 41 and have done it all on top and under cars and trucks) and that none of the 3,000 customers who have bought this product have questioned this procedure.

As further testament to the lack of attention to detail, the return shipping box didn't include the Speed Built decal that the original package contained. Mike offers to send me some but I decline as I only promote superior companies.

Now, all these points might seem minor. But when you add them up and deal with the defensiveness of PFYC about the lack of complete and correct product and instructions, you might find yourself considering another supplier for your next mod. I know I will.

Bottom Line: The brace itself looks great and does eliminate some front end flex/roll. It's not as dramatic as some "testimonials" gush about or what sales copy would lead you to believe. But, that's the same with all aftermarket parts promises, no?

[ptrudel]

wow...talk about a poopy experience...at least u told us about it...

[freeze12]

I hope the one I have coming in is not like that! I will be one pissed off person.I should get it Tuesday.

[Youngblood77]

Thanks for the heads-up Grant.

[r53silver91s]

I also have the front and rear braces, went on w/ no problems at all, fast shipping, and I had great customer service w/ them. I would order from PFYC again in a heartbeat.

[smokinAMD]

Originally posted by r53silver91s@Jun 26 2004, 09:01 AM
I also have the front and rear braces, went on w/ no problems at all, fast shipping, and I had great customer service w/ them. I would order from PFYC again in a heartbeat.

Same here.

[Redog]

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ I 3rd that

[freeze12]

Well here is the update: Yesterday 6/29/04 I received the Strut Tower Brace. I opened it up & attempted to put it together...well I also had problems with the threads as they were messed up. I ran a tap,which took a while due to the poor machining.I put it together & then took a good look at it & What a piece of JUNK!! All for the price of $119.99. Poor machining,cheap tube steel,no instructions,a small tube of Copper lube "for what" piss poor Customer service as they stand up for the company & not the Customer.So in the trash the STB went...where it belongs!
I wonder how many more will expierience this from PFYC as You can see, I am not the only one.When I buy a product I expect quality as the $$ means nothing as it is chump change. The only reason I bought from these clowns was that they were a sponser. Well off to find another supplier issed:

Well...it seems as though Dan's experience was quite similar to mine. I figured the small tube was some sort of lube since there wasn't any mention of this on the instructions from the website...and you know by now that they don't send any instructions with the actual brace. Turns out the tube is anti-sieze or so says PFYC.

I'm not unhappy with the product and since PFYC replaced the bar, I'm cool with that as well. Although as of the date of this post, they still haven't sent me the reimbusement check for my return shipping. What I'm aggrivated with is that none of this should have happend if they truly paid attention to the details.

This company started out of a garage and has become successful. Isn't time for them to start acting like they have moved out of the garage?

Dan...just curious...what color brace did you order? If it's still in the garbage, can I have it? Good luck in your search for finding another supplier...no one else is making these braces currently!

[freeze12]

Grant... I just got off the phone with "Jenny" at RSM Racing http://www.rsmracing.com/us/main.htm

and their STB's are only $79.99 & a heck of a lot better than the junk from PFYC.She is checking inventory & will call Me back. I got the Black STB from PFYC.

That's why people need to go through RSM Racing...I have their strut bar and it kick's ass and they're awesome people there!

[AGT]

HEY ALL-
I thought I had the same problem when I first bought their front brace but it turned out that the left side is a lefty tighty (opposite threading). SO you just have to go backwards or flip the bar around. May not be the case with yours but I was getting fed up and then I wanted a closer look and saw that the bolt went in smooth once I turned it on my right hand side.