Rear Strut Bar Doesn't Fit!! Ahhhhh

[csealy_31]

I just received my rear stur bar from RSM after waiting since March and it's 2 inches short. I have a 2001 Olds Alero. The strut bar fit over the mounts just fine, but when I went to put the bar on I had to run the ends out to all but 3 threads and then it was still a hair short. Anyway, 3 threads isn't enough even if it did fit. I measured the distance between the eyes on the mounted brackets. That came out to 38 inches. The bar is 36" with the jam nuts and ends tight. Can someone elso measure their bar to see if the bar is correct and my car is out or if I am out of whack. I was told the same bar fits the N and J body. Is that true or is that their version of R&D. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Greatly frustrated with the whole experience.

[Naich]

I don't know this for a fact, but I seriously doubt that a STB for a jbody would work on an nbody... our cars are wider, I would think....

[csealy_31]

I thought so too. However, I don't have the proof....yet.

[csealy_31]

I found out the alero is 70.1 inches wide while the cav is 68.7 inches wide. This doesn't necessarily mean my struts are any further apart, but I think I'm headed in the right direction. <_<

[Final-Reality]

try either loading the rear wheels (fill the trunk with heavy poop) or unloading them, and see if that changes the strut locations enough that you can stretch that thing on there.. :P

[csealy_31]

Boy was that crow delicious. It turns out that the n and j body do seem to share the same STB. I tried it in my friends N body and it doesn't fit his car either. It's too short. Oh well. I hope RSM comes through. So far the service has not been the greatest. However, it does seem as though they are awfully busy... :(

[Oldsmopimp]

damn.....that really sux.. Im glad u posted. I was just about to order a front and rear set this evening. Keep us updated on their help, and what happens.

[csealy_31]

Dude, I wouldn't worry about ordering it from RSM. I was hoping someone else would just run a tape across their STB so I could know for sure if mine was the wrong one, because it is only off by about an inch or two. Hoping that my car wasn't out of whack. I think this is just a mix up. The front strut bar from them fit beautifully and took all of 5 minutes to install. When you order, I would call for price and availability, just to make sure there aren't any expectations to when it will arrive. I have always received my stuff from other companies within a couple days and they charged me when it shipped. However, with RSM I assumed it would arrive in a couple days. They nevber told me it would, nor do they claim that it will arrive in a certain amount of time. They also cahrged me for the part when I ordered it instead of when it shipped. Not really that bothersome because I did receive the part. Go ahead and order I think they are getting geared up for all the orders they have received. Other people have said RSM is great for customer service and have never had any problems. However, I will let you know how it goes...

[smokinAMD]

You should have ordered them from PFYC, I did and got them in 5 days, and they fit perfectly.

[csealy_31]

If I wanted an, "I told you so", all i had to do was ask my wife... Beside the ones from PFYC are $119. and no they wouldn't have fit either. If you wanted to help you could have measured the distance between the eyelets on yours and then you would have probably told me they were 36". But we'll probably never know, because you'd rather tell me what to do instead of trying to help a little.

[sound_xtreme]

^^^i think your avatar suits you well

[csealy_31]

yeah I know.....truth hurts.....I'm just a li'l upset that my stuff's not turnin' out right. i don't have anything personal about anybody on here. I appreciate all the helpful advice. I can appreciate that smokin got his stuff on time and installed, but that doesn't help me any. RSM is being cool about the whole thing. I've been in touch with the Canadian branch and they're willing to help out.