Strut Tower Bar Doesn't Quite Fit

[Steberino]

First of all, I love the improvement in handling with the strut bars. I put both front and back strut bars in and handles a lot tighter. I hated the way my Alero sank during hard turns, but after installing the strut bars, I can take 90 degree turns at 35-40 mph easy.
Anyhow, the rear strut bar went in fine, but the front bar touches the top of the alternator. It makes rattling sound when I start up and once in a while when I'm driving, due to engine movement. I bought the strut bars from www.pfyc.com I am currently looking for a bar that's off-set a little so it will cleanly clear the alternator. Anyone have any ideas?
I also want to get polyurethane engine mount but can't find it anywhere. BTW my car is 1999 Alero 3.4L V6. Funny thing I noticed was that my strut bar that's touching the alternator acts as a stiffer engine mount and I noticed a bit of increase in torque :) That's where the search for polyurethane engine mount came from. LOL
Well, if anyone has any ideas for the front strut bar and polyurethane engine mount, PLEASE let me know. Thanks a lot.

[jackal2000]

im pretty sure rsmracing makes the engine mount

[Redog]

I had the same problem with the front strut bar touching the top of the alt. it made my belt squeal really loud.

My mech did the install and he pryed it up for just enough clearance and it works fine now. I pryed the other side up too, just to keep it even :thumbsup:

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

this problem doesn't happen with the 4-bangers, does it? I just ordered strut tower braces Friday! :o

[alero168]

^i dont think it should b/c our alt. is near the front/mid not by where the braces will be placed, correct me if i'm wrong

[Final-Reality]

It's true only the V6s will have this problem, engine mounts would likely fix it if you don't wanna start bending your shiny new STB, as they're just tublar steel and probably can't take very much bending...

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

Originally posted by alero168@Jun 1 2004, 08:22 AM
^i dont think it should b/c our alt. is near the front/mid not by where the braces will be placed, correct me if i'm wrong
That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks :thumbsup:

[bdyman]

correct alt up front and down low
do you have the bar on right??? i know dumb question but i thought i would ask

[Rubered00]

So the bars on PFYC fit for sure??? and how much is installation on something like that if i take it somehwere to get done???

[ptrudel]

why would u get someone else to do it? it's super simple...

[alero168]

isnt it a few bolts put it on and bolt back on? i think i might get one this summer. i think rubered is super lazy lol, did you clear those corners yet red.

[ptrudel]

lol, when u said he was lazy i thought about the clear corners too

[chiemsee95]

I bought my stb's from RSM racing and didn't have this problem

[alerosport.com]

when i try to click on oldsmobile on the far left, it does nothen.... this just me?

http://www.rsmracing.com/us/main.htm

[keytonic]

yeah it's you ya gotta lay of the :smokin: :D

works fine here

[SikMindz]

Umm...try turning the bar around. It fits both ways however, one will clear the alternator and one will do exactly what you described.

[Grant]

Mine doesn't hit the alternator...I think you have it installed backwards. But, this example proves my point about PFYC in my review of them and the strut brace in the Product Reviews section.

I've always felt any aftermarket part that says simple bolt on in minutes is a disaster waiting to happen!

[thefork8]

Originally posted by alerosport.com@Jun 23 2004, 05:30 PM
when i try to click on oldsmobile on the far left, it does nothen.... this just me?

http://www.rsmracing.com/us/main.htm
nope... not just you... I had trouble with it using Opera and Firefox, but it worked with IE... meh....

[Steberino]

STB from PFYC.com DOES touch the alternator in the front. I think all of you who say you don't have a problem has 4-Cyl. models. On V6 models, PFYC.com STB's touches the alternator. It's fine in the rear. I hated the noise it carried into the interior, so I took it off and ordered a front STB from rsmracing.com It has a bend in it and it clears the alternator cleanly. My recommendation to V6 Alero owners is to get the FRONT STB from rsmracing.com and the rear STB can be from where ever.

[5spdAlero]

RSM racings motor mounts do not fit. I boubt a set for my 2001 Alero and they did not work at all. They are just cavalier motor mounts, but tehy wont fit the alero

[Redog]

Originally posted by SikMindz@Jun 23 2004, 08:08 PM
Umm...try turning the bar around. It fits both ways however, one will clear the alternator and one will do exactly what you described.
Yeah I turned mine around last night. In fact, it doesn't rattle anymore.

4 cyl doesn't matter
6 cyl must be put on with the bar all the way in the back

[mfuller]

Originally posted by Steberino@Jun 25 2004, 04:49 AM
STB from PFYC.com DOES touch the alternator in the front.
Of course it does.....if you've installed the brackets backwards. Others have said this also. It's amazing to me how quickly people are to blame a vendor when it *may* be an installation error.

Pay close attention to the orientation of the brackets in this photo. Lotsa alternator clearance.
http://www.n-body.net/registry/shipper/366762_7_full.jpg

[Vtolds]

I just ordered the front strut tower brace from rsm racing should be here in the next week. Ordering the Back STB next week. The only reason I can think of the strut tower brace not fitting right is they are installed wrong because the bar should come close to touching the fire wall and not the alternater on a v6 and there is no way it could touch on a 2.4 liter like I have because the alernater is on the front of the motor.

To the guy that couldn't get the the rsmracing.com site to work are you using Interent explorer or firefox becuase I can't access it on firefox but I switch to Explorer and it works.