Thread: Install Question B13 Cusco Strut Tower Bar

What do ya'll do with the little bracket welded on the passenger side strut tower? Does the bar simply bolt in over the weld or does it need to be hit with a grinder?

[img][URL=http://s589.photobucket.com/user/92mx6gt/media/IMAG0379.jpg.html][IMG]http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss336/92mx6gt/IMAG0379.jpg[/img][/URL][/IMG]

If your Upper STB is not notched for it, then get the grinder / cut off wheel out.

That little bracket isn't even welded to the tower. It's simply that same "body glue" they use elsewhere in the engine bay.
Hammer and screw driver will take it clean off, and yes it's painted underneath.

Mine has the "body glue" but it clearly has a spot weld as well. It is NOT used for cruise control like I previously thought.

Here's how I removed it...

...and NO it wasn't painted underneath...but I sanded flush and primed...kinda had to for the camber plates

@1fastser
I removed it from my 91 to install an ebay brace. No such spot weld and it was painted underneath.
And it also has cruise control, which was not run through there either.

That thing is for RHD models. It is vestigial on North American cars, its like a B13 appendix.

I never had to mess with it to install a Cusco bar on a B13 but I did have to move the PS hose bracket.

Great pics and info. Clearly 1fastser had a spot weld there. I wonder if that weld is a difference between Japanese manufactured and US manufactured cars? I suspect mine might only be the body glue. I was hoping the PS hose bracket was going to have enough clearance but I guess not. It looks like the standard fix is to take out the 2nd bolt and simply pivot the bracket out of the way like in the picture above.
The reason why I asked is because although it's a simple mod, I do not have the necessary tools (like a grinder) or the work space to do the job right and I want to be able to tell the installer (if needed) what to expect.
Thank you all for the input.

I stand corrected. I felt sure I saw a cruise cable going thru this on my '94 but I just checked and it doesn't even have it!!! My '94 is a 1.6L Jap made 4dr LE w/cruise, fyi.

I wish mine did NOT have a spot weld...would been a lot cleaner imo.

For anyone interested, it was a spot weld. The Cusco bar is notched for it but not enough it seems probably because it was actually designed for a Pulsar. I had someone else do the install and he chose to grind off the bracket. You can also see his solution for the power steering line - he deleted the bracket altogether and secured with zipties. I have not noticed any negative affects so I'll leave the zipties alone. I also had him install the Whiteline RSTB. He chose to cut some sheet metal around the strut towers and installed it backwards. I was pissed at first because he did not consult me before proceeding. Upon further examination I see why he did it that way. Installing the correct way would have required cutting off the 3 upper brackets where the rear seat hooks in. Meh, it works and you can only see the cuts if you are looking for them. I've made my peace with it.
My performance assessment: The car understeers a bit more but I expected that. Where the STB's really come into play is by reducing body twist which became really nasty in the 4-door with the higher rate Road Magnet springs. There is definitely still some room for improvement in the body twist department but at least now I don't get seasick rocking side-to-side while going over uneven pavement. **Please ignore the 1.6L**