DIY - JDM TRD Strut bar for Toyota 86 / FR-S / BRZ install
 

I thought that folks might find this useful since the instructions that come with the parts are in Japanese.
(copied from my blog - http://www.apexrally.com/2013/04/jdm...a-86-fr-s.html )
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8...0f0990ae_z.jpg
IMG_9385 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr

TRD Japan seems to have a fair amount of parts available for the 86 / FR-S / BRZ. I recently purchased the JDM TRD Strut bar for my FR-S from a retailer in Japan. The instructions were in Japanese so I thought that I'd share my install experience. Please remember safety if you do your own install. The instructions that I received with the bar were faded so I found them online here - http://www.trdparts.jp/manual_pdf/86/MS324-18001.pdf . You can attempt to translate the instructions with an online translator but it's still not real clear what is being said.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8...52f5d27f_z.jpg
IMG_9386 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr


The tools needed are a 6 point star head type allen key (not sure what size) and a 12mm socket. I used a short socket extension to make it a bit easier.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8...c6d0c167_z.jpg
IMG_9387 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr
First I loosened the nuts at the end of the braces closest to each strut and the nut in a straight line next to each brace.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8...97310e60_z.jpg
IMG_9388 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8...04a48f2e_z.jpg
IMG_9389 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr
Then I put the brackets on as they show in the instructions and loosely put the nuts back on.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8...762bd2b8_z.jpg
IMG_9390 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr
After that I put the bar in place with the star bolt and nut on each end loosely to hold it in place. I placed the other star bolt through on each end of the bar.

The next step was to tighten the nuts only on the original lower section (the original braces and the ones by each strut). Then I carefully raised the car to unload the struts and I tighted the star bolts and nuts on each end of the strut bar. Finally I lowered the car back to the floor and rechecked each nut. The instructions have torque numbers by the way.

Here is the final result. The carbon fiber looks great and it should add at least 10hp. ;-) After a fun little test drive it seems to help in the corners. It feels very planted with not much noticable body roll. The stock car cornered well too though... Cheers.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8...13f58e6c_z.jpg
IMG_9391 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8...694ba7b8_z.jpg
IMG_9392 by ApexRally.com, on Flickr

I'm really liking the finish of this strut bar, nice write up!

Thanks! Yeah, I like it too.

Was it in instructions or you felt necessary to unload the struts per say?

I had heard that was a good thing to do.

:) I'm not quite sure what the instructions say (google translate version below)
"Installation of 1. Tower bar bracket
(1) As shown Figure 1, the suspension upper support
Remove the front side mounting nut, Burake of components ②
Install the Tsu Prefecture, and temporarily stopped.
(2) As Figure 2, RH front rod performance
* Remove the two front side mounting nut 2, the components ③
Install the bracket, and temporarily stopped.
LH side to carry out installation work (3) 1,,,, 2 (3) above. . . .
Bracket between two attached to both left and right as in (1) Fig 3
TRD logo is toward the front tower bar components to ①
The sandwich to be a tree.
Put from the rear side of the cap bolt (2) Components ⑥, components
* I temporarily fixed in the flange nut ⑦.
Mounting of 2. Tower bar
Tightening of work 3. Mounting bolts
Specify the port of each nut RH side LH side in the order shown in (1) Figure 4
I Tighten the torque.
① 23Nm ② 23Nm ③ 16Nm
(3) side also performed in the same manner (3) LH. . . .
①
②
③
Figure 4 the front of the vehicle
Tightening to lift down by installing the tire, suspension
State normal load is applied to the Pension
Please execute Te."

Thanks for the topic. Just installed my brace and this was really helpful.

Glad that it was helpful. Cheers.

LOLOLOL ...and poor Te, he was innocent!

Sorry for the :offtopic: Too good of an opportunity!

Too funny... :)

How much torque is needed for the bolts ? Also is it necessary to lift up the front ?

Hi. I replied to your PM.

Not sure on the torque for the bolts. Above are the google translated instructions. They list NM instead of pound feet though - http://www.convertunits.com/from/N+m/to/lb+ft .

I just lined up the parts and tightened it down a little and then when I knew that they were lined up correctly then I tightened them well. The instructions were in Japanese so??

I don't know for sure if you need to lift up the front. I saw another forum DIY elsewhere and they recommended it to unload the struts. Cheers.

Looks great. Really want to add one of these.. Thought about doing the rear brace as well?

That might be interesting. I'm not sure if TRD makes one yet. I think that Cusco and others do though.

Yeah, that sounds right. Excuse my noobness, but is there a reason you'd prefer TRD? I don't know much about them or what they are.