Front Stress bar not lining up. - The Ford Focus Forum

**JasonP** · 11-07-2009, 01:53 PM

I am installing my parts I just received from my order. Everything is going smooth except for what I thought would be the easiest part.

The front Stess bar does not line up with the bolts. I have the eibach sportline kit installed, but I don't think that should cause a problem.

Anyone had this issue before? It's close, but no way I can "wiggle it in". It just doesn't line up.

**Spyder** · 11-07-2009, 03:56 PM

It never has lined up for me. Normally I've had to get a big rubber mallet to pound it onto the bolts...

**JasonP** · 11-07-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyder

It never has lined up for me. Normally I've had to get a big rubber mallet to pound it onto the bolts...

well **** that. I'll try another one before I twist it up trying to install it

**ZX3autoxtasy** · 11-07-2009, 04:22 PM

No no no no no.

If it doesn't line up when the cars on the ground, you NEED to jack the car up and install it.

The weight will distort it a little bit.

DO NOT USE A MALLET. THE TOP HAT BOLTS ARE FRAGILE.

It takes a little coaxing but is much easier if its off the ground.

(and IIRC it says so in the instructions)

**JasonP** · 11-07-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX3autoxtasy

No no no no no.

If it doesn't line up when the cars on the ground, you NEED to jack the car up and install it.

The weight will distort it a little bit.

DO NOT USE A MALLET. THE TOP HAT BOLTS ARE FRAGILE.

It takes a little coaxing but is much easier if its off the ground.

(and IIRC it says so in the instructions)

It was on a lift.....

**BeeFzX3** · 11-07-2009, 05:36 PM

you need to lift it higher...lol
what kind of lift? the one you drive on? then that is no difference from being on the ground.

You could make holes a bit larger, that is what i did.

**JasonP** · 11-07-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeeFzX3

you need to lift it higher...lol
what kind of lift? the one you drive on? then that is no difference from being on the ground.

You could make holes a bit larger, that is what i did.

no, 4 post lift. Why would I use a drive on lift for a stress bar? lol

**iceguyb14** · 11-07-2009, 05:47 PM

yeah the top bolts are fragile.. i can vouch for that. i was tightening down one of the nuts and broke one off.

**FocusSportVP** · 11-07-2009, 07:28 PM

The bar fits right on some cars and some it takes some convincing. Our bar has very tight tolerances, more than your car. And if you've hit the curb or other road hazards a few times, things can be off a bit. Jacking the car up on one side usually helps quite a bit if you're having difficulties.

**2002red** · 11-08-2009, 07:32 AM

After jacking up my car, I put a 2x4 and a pry bar between the front strut towers and put a little push on it and the stress bar slid right onto the bolts ... had to use a 4x4 and a mechanical jack for the rear stress bar. The front lower stress bar fit in perfect because there is a little bit of factory clearance between the control arm bolts and the holes in the front subframe.

Every car is slightly different, so a little tweeking is needed here and there ... just be careful what you tweek and how much.

**SMITHBOY76908** · 11-08-2009, 09:03 AM

I used a 4 post lift as well and had no issues. Check out the how-to I created over on fanatics for this installation.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...d.php?t=203354

**Spyder** · 11-08-2009, 11:07 AM

Wow sorry everyone, I was thinking of the upper strut bar in the engine bay. Sorry for the confusion.

**zach92r** · 11-08-2009, 01:59 PM

Mine didnt line up either but all i had to do was put the bar on the one side then push the bar the other way a little and it went right on, had no problems with it yet

**tetra** · 11-10-2009, 05:07 PM

So what IS the proper way to install this thing, jacked up with wheels hanging?

**FocusSportVP** · 11-10-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetra

So what IS the proper way to install this thing, jacked up with wheels hanging?

There isn't one proper way, not all cars are the same as you can tell.

**JasonP** · 11-11-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FocusSportVP

The bar fits right on some cars and some it takes some convincing. Our bar has very tight tolerances, more than your car. And if you've hit the curb or other road hazards a few times, things can be off a bit. Jacking the car up on one side usually helps quite a bit if you're having difficulties.

cool thanks. I can easily believe my car is off, with my sportlines I bet it has been knocked off a little bit. I'll try jacking it up this weekend.

11-07-2009, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
JasonP Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: TN/KY/AL. Posts: 8	Front Stress bar not lining up. I am installing my parts I just received from my order. Everything is going smooth except for what I thought would be the easiest part. The front Stess bar does not line up with the bolts. I have the eibach sportline kit installed, but I don't think that should cause a problem. Anyone had this issue before? It's close, but no way I can "wiggle it in". It just doesn't line up.

11-07-2009, 03:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spyder TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WI Posts: 316	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. It never has lined up for me. Normally I've had to get a big rubber mallet to pound it onto the bolts... __________________ My 2002 ZX3 with tasteful mods is for sale! PM me if interested!

11-07-2009, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
ZX3autoxtasy [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: atlanta Posts: 5,244	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. No no no no no. If it doesn't line up when the cars on the ground, you NEED to jack the car up and install it. The weight will distort it a little bit. DO NOT USE A MALLET. THE TOP HAT BOLTS ARE FRAGILE. It takes a little coaxing but is much easier if its off the ground. (and IIRC it says so in the instructions) __________________ 2008 Specialized Tarmac:: 0.0mpg with more carbon than your Focus. Pure. Power. 2007 Ridley Crossbow: Beware. Terrorizing you town until I sell it for a TT bike. 2004 Pitch Black 5spd 2.0L(Z) ZX3: Eibach Pro-Kit Springs, Eibach Pro-Kit Dampers, Brembo Rotors, Hawk HPS Pads, H&R 24mm Rear Swaybar, P-51 Shims, Focus-Sport Cool-Flo, Focus-Sport front & rear stress bar, MBRP Cat-Back, [Track] 15'' Steelies with 205/50/15 Falken Azeni RT-615's,[Street]UK ST200 Mondeo Wheels w/ Toyo Proxes 4 215/45/17's, Quantum Audio 12''/Quantum 800w Amp, Custom Ported Box, SVT Lip, and tons of other stuff...

11-07-2009, 05:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
BeeFzX3 Rookie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Carlos, CA Posts: 49	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. you need to lift it higher...lol what kind of lift? the one you drive on? then that is no difference from being on the ground. You could make holes a bit larger, that is what i did.

11-07-2009, 05:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
iceguyb14 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 2,504	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. yeah the top bolts are fragile.. i can vouch for that. i was tightening down one of the nuts and broke one off. __________________ - Jeff 250whp/245wtq at 11psi... *ENGINE BUILD PARTS/COSSIE IM/FSW STAGE 1 TURBO KIT/EXEDY HYPERSINGLE/FORD RACING HEAD COMPLETE WITH EVERYTHING FOR SALE!!! PM me for info.. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE*

11-07-2009, 07:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
FocusSportVP Premier Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Lair of The West Coast Cult Posts: 23,210	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. The bar fits right on some cars and some it takes some convincing. Our bar has very tight tolerances, more than your car. And if you've hit the curb or other road hazards a few times, things can be off a bit. Jacking the car up on one side usually helps quite a bit if you're having difficulties. __________________ Best Regards, Randy Robles Vice President FocusSport / FSWerks www.focussport.com / www.fswerks.com 714.630.6353 Check out our NEW video on www.TheFordStory.com. Please leave a comment! Click me! The FocusSport Street Tuner Challenge Focus 396 WHP / 347 WTQ - Click me!

11-08-2009, 07:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
2002red TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 740	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. After jacking up my car, I put a 2x4 and a pry bar between the front strut towers and put a little push on it and the stress bar slid right onto the bolts ... had to use a 4x4 and a mechanical jack for the rear stress bar. The front lower stress bar fit in perfect because there is a little bit of factory clearance between the control arm bolts and the holes in the front subframe. Every car is slightly different, so a little tweeking is needed here and there ... just be careful what you tweek and how much. __________________ 02 sedan se (aka The SC'd se) Focussport/VF vortech currently @ 190 whp & 170 wtq on 93 octane Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue .... (Airplane)

11-08-2009, 09:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
SMITHBOY76908 TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 382	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. I used a 4 post lift as well and had no issues. Check out the how-to I created over on fanatics for this installation. http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...d.php?t=203354 __________________ WWW.WEAPONSCACHE.COM - Defend Your Rights! The only worthwhile gun control is hitting the target the first time! If guns kill people, then spoons made Micheal Moore and Rosie O' Donnel fat!

11-08-2009, 11:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Spyder TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WI Posts: 316	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. Wow sorry everyone, I was thinking of the upper strut bar in the engine bay. Sorry for the confusion. __________________ My 2002 ZX3 with tasteful mods is for sale! PM me if interested!

11-08-2009, 01:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
zach92r Napeolin Sherbert Gaundi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Millerstown, PA Posts: 724	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. Mine didnt line up either but all i had to do was put the bar on the one side then push the bar the other way a little and it went right on, had no problems with it yet __________________ 2001 Ford focus se wagon Mods: FS Cool-Flo air intake, FS front stress bar, Momo pedals, underbody/interior lighting Soon adding: Drum to disc brake conversion kit and EVO 3 bumpers with fogs Future mods: FS headers w/ flex pipe and FS exhaust with in-line cat, Corbeau FX-1 seats, svt suspension with koni or bilstein shocks and struts with H&R springs,lambo doors, custom opening rear hatch, new zetec engine with a auto to manual swap plus many more mods

11-10-2009, 05:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
tetra Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 82	Re: Front Stress bar not lining up. So what IS the proper way to install this thing, jacked up with wheels hanging?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode