Fitting Export Brace

I recently ordered an export brace from Mustang Depot, but it doesn't want to fit. The holes that drop onto the shock towers just don't want to line up. I know they can migrate with time, but am I missing a trick here? What do I do?

Try jacking up the car and supporting it by the frame rails on stands. Let the wheels hang unsupported for a while,then try installing them. I did this on a friends '68 Cougar when we installed the Monte Carlo bar and it worked. If it has moved too much you might need a porta pac to push them apart though. Stu

Thanks CaptainVirgil - boy I love this forum! [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tup.gif[/img]

I went to put mine back on my new car and the shock towers were too far apart by about a inch. I have no idea how to move them closer, so it will stay off for a while. I might just go get some regular ones and put them on instead.

Letting the suspension relax for an hour or two is key. After you jack it up, just walk away for a while. If you need more that this will give you, use a portapower or improvise with a bottle jack and a 4x4.

I had this same problem on my '65...the shock towers were too far apart (not too close together, so a jack or porta-power wouldn't help). I was installing a monte carlo bar and export brace. At first I thought both pieces were poor quality and fabricated incorrectly. I later realized it was my 'stang that was incorrect. I jacked the front end up and placed it on frame stands, then pulled the shock towers together with a come-along connected to the shock mount brackets (after removing the factory braces). Then with the monte carlo bar bolted in place, I released the come along. The export brace dropped right down on top of the mounting bolts without any hang-up. I was then impressed with the part quality!!! [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

If you don't have (or desire) a monte carlo bar, you can use three other bolts near the shock tower to pull the sides together. Unfortunately, you'll have to fab up a plate of some kind to attach the come-along. A PITA to be sure. Or if you have something on the sides of the car to jack against, you can close up the towers using jacks.

Hope this helps.

_________________
Beegshot
65 'stang, in process
66 'stang, SBF parts donor
79 F150 SuperCab, SBF, parts hauler...building new motor
96 Explorer 5.0, grocery getter, kid hauler
Henry Ford said, "If you find you need a tool, you have already paid for it"

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: beegshot on 4/15/04 8:48pm ]</font>

Thanks to everyone for all the help -- I am installing a Monte Carlo bar as well, so I think it should all tie together in the end. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tup.gif[/img]