MLS Strut Bar Copy [Update]

LegendGS · May 16, 2002

We have test fitted the bar on both the sedan and coupe, and because of the way the MLS ones are set to barely clear under the hood, any slight variance either in the bar or the car may cause a misfit.

What we have concluded is that the bars would have to be cut an additional 1/4". This will still allow room between the bar and the engine, while ensuring that it also clears the hood, and IMO, would be a much better fit than the actual MLS bars.

So, at this point, the bars will be cut and re-powder-coated. As ChrisK has said that he does not need it powder-coated being that he plans to paint it anyway, we'd like to know if anyone else would like to not have it powder-coated.

Please let us know.

As far as time is concerned, it looks like it would take about 3 more weeks as the fabricator has since been bogged with more work.

Sorry about the delay, and any inconvenience. We'll try to get this done and out to those of you who ordered ASAP.

Thanks for understanding.

LegendGS · Jul 23, 2002

Drop Fut a line. I believe that he has one more on hand. I'm not certain if it is the original MLS or the copy that is still available as one of them is already spoken for.

Lankan · Jul 25, 2002

I havn't been visiting this chat room lately... my appologies. Just wanted to thank Fut and Graeme for all their effort on the MLS strut bar.

I've had one for a month or so.... and I am still loving it!! I lowered the car with H&R's and Koni's a few days prior to instsallation of the strut bar. The car was handeling quite well after I lowered it. But the addition of the strut bar definitely made the BIGGEST difference. The car just feels so much more solid, and more together. It seems to hold the whole front end in place, and gives me that much more confidence on the corners. The only thing I am missing now are some 18" rims. Trying to decide what to get right now.

Just thought I would let everyone know that it is well worth the money. Another great feature is that it looks stock! Not too flashy, but yet very effective. Once again.... a big thanks to Graeme and Fut.

SLEEPNL · Sep 23, 2002

Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

Well I finally got around to installing the strut bar on my 91 Coupe and guess what. It does not fit. While the construction is quite sound I was only able to fit three of the four bracket holes. The fourth hole is off by 1 inch. Help!!!!

C25A1guy · Sep 23, 2002

I had the same problem with doing a strut tower bar on a civic at work. Aligned the holes as best I can and a nice rubber mallet took care of the rest.

Also Graeme, the guy you went to for the MLS, can I get the contact info? I wanna do G1 strut towers.

LegendGS · Sep 23, 2002

Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

SLEEPNL said:
Well I finally got around to installing the strut bar on my 91 Coupe and guess what. It does not fit. While the construction is quite sound I was only able to fit three of the four bracket holes. The fourth hole is off by 1 inch. Help!!!!

You may be experiencing the same thing that Fut did. For some reason, he could not get his to fit easily either.

All of these were made from a single jig, so they are pretty much identical, so the variance may be in your car.

Fut was able to fit his by lifting this one side (the side that wouldn't fit) off the ground, loosening the strut nuts, and "bouncing" the strut. Then the holes would align properly. We're not sure what causes this, but it may be what you're experiencing.

LegendGS · Sep 23, 2002

C25A1guy said:
Also Graeme, the guy you went to for the MLS, can I get the contact info? I wanna do G1 strut towers.

You've got PM.

SLEEPNL · Sep 23, 2002

Re: Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

LegendGS said:
You may be experiencing the same thing that Fut did. For some reason, he could not get his to fit easily either.

All of these were made from a single jig, so they are pretty much identical, so the variance may be in your car.

Fut was able to fit his by lifting this one side (the side that wouldn't fit) off the ground, loosening the strut nuts, and "bouncing" the strut. Then the holes would align properly. We're not sure what causes this, but it may be what you're experiencing.

Response by SLEEPNL
Ok, I will go back to the performance shop and put the car on their lift to try your suggestion. I can't do this till next Sat 9/29 so I will let you know how it goes then. Thanks for your response.

SLEEPNL · Sep 23, 2002

Re: Re: Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

SLEEPNL said:
One more thought on your suggestion. IF you are loosening the bolts on the strut and bouncing to fit this bar on; are you also knocking your vehicle out of alignment? If so, this is not an acceptable solution.

ChrisK · Sep 23, 2002

Re: Re: Re: Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

SLEEPNL said:

You should be okay. I didn't have any trouble installing mine as described above though. What is happening is the hole on the bar is nearly a perfect fit to go around the bolt, and the treads on the bolt seem to catch the edge of the holes making it difficult to push down all the way. If you are really strong, you might be able to force it down, but using the method above seems to allow the treads to just clear making it possible to slip all the way down. Also, if you force it down on the treads, it migh strip the treads, so you have to be careful of that as well.

SLEEPNL · Sep 24, 2002

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

Response to post by ChrisK
Thanks ChrisK! I was manly concerned because of the offset of the hole to the bolt. It appeared to an inch off. Even with the assistance of another individual we could not get it it to fit over the hole by bending or any other means. Certainly not without damaging the other bolts. It just looks like the hole fitting on the bar is way off. This is a GEN2 TYPE I engine. Maybe there is a major difference. I'm just being cautious.. I will take a photo so all can see what I am talking about.

ChrisK · Sep 24, 2002

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

SLEEPNL said:

Okay, I didn't realize yours was that far off. Mine was nearly dead on accurate. I did have some trouble if I put the bar on at an angle where it would get caught on a bolt or two, but once I evened it out it pretty much slipped on. Being 1" off seems pretty far off too me.

Fut · Sep 24, 2002

Re: Help!!! The MLS type bar doesn't Fit!

SLEEPNL said:
Well I finally got around to installing the strut bar on my 91 Coupe and guess what. It does not fit. While the construction is quite sound I was only able to fit three of the four bracket holes. The fourth hole is off by 1 inch. Help!!!!

Sleepnl I tried to PM you twice. Oh well, check your e-mail.

One...

Fut :2cool:

SLEEPNL · Sep 25, 2002

Thanks for the reply FUT!. I dunno what's wrong with my in-box cause I have no messages in the box to give it a full indicator. Anyway, in my case with the strut bar, the mounting hole is off center by an inch and I am doubting that raising the car will even help. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that the hole should not be that far off. The other three holes line up just fine but the fourth hole is definitely off.

LegendGS · Sep 25, 2002

Yeah, it would be great if you can take a pic of it so that we can see how it is. I've installed a few of these, so hopefully I've come across another that is similar to what you describe.

It still sounds like you are experiencing the same problem that Fut had with his.

Fut · Sep 25, 2002

SLEEPNL said:
Thanks for the reply FUT!. I dunno what's wrong with my in-box cause I have no messages in the box to give it a full indicator. Anyway, in my case with the strut bar, the mounting hole is off center by an inch and I am doubting that raising the car will even help. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that the hole should not be that far off. The other three holes line up just fine but the fourth hole is definitely off.

Check your message sent box!!!

One...

Fut :2cool:

MLS Strut Bar Copy [Update]

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