Strut bar doesn't fit :(

[Mr Detailer]

I bought a "99-01 Protege Front Upper Strut Bar" on Ebay. It doesn't fit my 1.6L due to the bar contacting several spots in the engine bay, namely the intake manifold / throttle body, and electrical connector bracket (cruise control maybe?), and also another mounting bracket on the passenger side strut tower. Is there a different strut bar for the 1.8L vs the 1.6L? If anyone has a strut bar on their 1.6L that fit without any modification, please let me know where you got it.
I guess I've got myself a nice ornament for the garage if nothing else!

[Hughes412]

I'm 99% sure you'll need to buy the mounting brakets. And you have to relocate the cruse controle. Don't worry yet. The brackets are like around 20.00. Should be able to get them from mazda.

[justanotheradikt]

even with the 1.6 he needs the mounting brackets and whatnot? and this is an aftermarket one im sure so it should bolt right up, unless its for a 1.8 or just made wrong.

[Hughes412]

THis might be a dumb question, but did you ask the seller if you need brakets? Tell him it doesn't fit. Maybe he'll take it back.

[jster28]

I have that same bar on my 1.6 and you need to move around brackets on the pass. side. You sure you dont have the bar upside down becuz my doesnt even come close to touching the intake manifold. As for the cruise control can't help you, my car doesn't have that.

[jster28]

here is a picture of it installed in my car. I circled the bracet needs to be relocated. Also to get it on the bolts you have put it on a few bolt and pull the base to make it fit on completely.

[FunkyBuddha]

Pics of the product and it sitting in your hood would be beneficial

[Shane5425]

hell my ebay one has a slot drilled out so i could bolt that bracket back up, but i did have to cut the cruise control bracket to get it to fit, slit modification to it, but, for some reason the bar itself is to short, it kept makin noise, so i took it off and i could pull it right off without unscrewing, so now the baris in my trunk.. dunno how i am gonna fix it..

[Mr Detailer]

OK Here's a bunch of pics. Don't mind the half-polished valve cover and exhaust manifold. :)

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/SB_Whole_Engine.jpg
http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StBar4.JPG
http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StBar2.JPG

Here's the bracket on the passenger side...
http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StrutBarProb2.JPG
http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StrutBarProb4.JPG

This side fits fine.
http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/SB_OtherSide.JPG

I tried contacting the seller and even sending these pictures, but I got no response.

Upside down huh? Hmm...I'll have to look into that. My Maxima's was lower if it was upside-down, I'm not sure why I didn't check that on this one.

[Mr Detailer]

Nope I just checked the bar. There is no "upside down" position. The bar sits at the same height either way.

Here's the auction link...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7986159092&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:MT:6

[TStar]

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72303

i had a similar problem :\\

[justanotheradikt]

looks like it has threads on it...might be a dumb question but does it extend a little? maybe try that?

[Shane5425]

that one is totaly differant from mine..

[Mr Detailer]

looks like it has threads on it...might be a dumb question but does it extend a little? maybe try that?

The bar can extend and shorten, yes. But that won't solve the problem of the bracket not being able to fit over that other bracket, or the problem of contacting the intake manifold / cruise control.

[justanotheradikt]

may have to cut or relocate that bracket....it does not clear even when both sides are up?

[Mr Detailer]

Nope.

[justanotheradikt]

damn....might have a wrong bar... that would suck

[Mr Detailer]

Well like I said, I'll have a nice decoration for the garage if nothing else. It was less than $15 after shipping...no big deal. Lesson learned.

[justanotheradikt]

damn that was cheep!

[00zmde]

that one is totaly differant from mine..
I think I have the same one from ebay. Mine has 4 mounting holes for the strut tower.

Rubs the hood a very little bit and the adjustment screws are maxed out, maybe one turn left on threads. Im pretty sure its the cause of clunk noise while turning once in a while.

I will be taking mine off to find out. Hey! you get what you pay for. Im probably going to take mine to the recycle place and get a buck or two if Im lucky.

IMO stay away from the cheap stut bar from ebay. Your better off with out it if you dont have the money for a decent one.

[Shane5425]

i am thinkin about gettin my buddy to weld the bastart together .. lol

[Mr Detailer]

Well I may have come up with a solution. I haven't sold the strut bar from my Maxima yet, and I swapped the brackets from the two bars. Now it will fit, looks more aggressive, and sits a good 3/4" above the intake manifold/throttle body. :)
I haven't installed it yet though, since I'll still have to relocate or cut that bracket on the passenger side strut tower.
Wish me luck!