Probably way overthinking this but…

[Mach 307]

So awhile back around December 2023, I tasked a shop Batavia Body Werx to install a STB on my Mustang while it was in for other body work. While installing the brace, they snapped the furthest back stud towards the fire wall on the driver side, and replaced it with a bolt. I was worried about the replacement and also wanted all 4 of my studs to be uniform. I tasked this to a reputable restoration shop, Custom Classics Auto around April 2024. While I trust Custom Classics work with the upmost confidence, Batavia Body Werx, not so much. They’ve since closed as well. Here’s my question, Custom Classics clearly replaced all four, but is there a way to tell if Batavia Body Werx mangled the hole either drilling or pounding out, short of taking off the brace and looking? Everything sits flush and torques down correctly, so I’d think that’d be the giveaway. I’m also going for a suspension install soon, could I have this shop check from the bottom while they’re down there? Thanks.

Original repair that shows factory stud and replacement

Current Repair

How current repair sits

Stock image of brace off car

To me everything looks good and aligns with the brace hole correctly. I assume if the hole was mangled or widened that I’d be able to tell by how the brace and stud sits. Just wanna put this thought to bed.

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[Paddles]

I think you're overthinking it

I can't see how anyone could check for a mangled hole without at least removing the nuts

 

[1 old racer]

over thinking it. Just drive and enjoy it.

 

[Mach 307]

Sounds good… so I assume if there’s a problem like that it’d be glaring?

 

[KilgoreLSU]

Cut the bolt to size if it really bugs you.. Grind a bevel on the end and run a thread chaser die down it.

Not sure why they didn't use the right size to begin with..

 

[1 old racer]

Yes it would and you might even hear it popping during a hard left /right or right /right turns

 

[Mach 307]

Cut the bolt to size if it really bugs you.. Grind a bevel on the end and run a thread chaser die down it.

Not sure why they didn't use the right size to begin with..

Maybe my post was written weird, the bolt it self is the right size and uses OEM nuts, I’m more worried that the original shop that somehow failed to install a STB correctly, couldn’t of cleanly pounded out the stud they snapped and mangled the hole… but I’m thinking that doesn’t make sense or id be feeling after effects.

 

[Mach 307]

Yes it would and you might even hear it popping during a hard left /right or right /right turns

Sounds good never had anything like that happen and brace has always been solid since, so things must still be in tact and not mangled. I think I’m also underestimating the strength of the strut tower metal, that it would take a lot more than a drill or pound out to f it up.

 

[MAGS1]

Yours looks fine to me. Here’s a couple close ups of mine. Can get a few more tomorrow if needed

 

[Mach 307]

Yours looks fine to me. Here’s a couple close ups of mine. Can get a few more tomorrow if needed

Thanks Mags, mine seem to sit exactly the same so hole shape must be good

 

[Mach 307]

So to give myself some more peace of mind at the moment, I did some measurements I thought might be able to confirm to me everything’s all good, barring taking off the brace. Which I don’t have the means to do at the moment with my current living situation if they are in fact bolts and will fall through if I take off the nuts. I may have the shop who’s installing my FP Track Handling Pack coming up take off the brace because I’m curious.

Brace sits perfectly level

Driver side (touched by both shops) and passenger side (touched by trusted shop only) “stud” protrusion from strut tower exactly the same.

Driver side (touched by both shops) and passenger side (touched by trusted shop only) “stud” distance to strut top mount stud exactly the same.

I know my pictures aren’t the best but in person I was able to confirm. I suppose to me this tells me the driver side hole is the exact same size (not widened or misshapen) as the passenger side hole, among not having any issues while driving with noise, etc.

 

[Paddles]

Honestly those studs are quite easy to break and many who attempt the strut tower brace installation will break one.

The repair is way more simple and straightforward than you may think and by your pictures it looks like they did a good job.

Also, it seems unlikely to me that Batavia mangled the hole but even if they did, again the pictures show what appears to be a well done repair by CCA.

It is my humble opinion that if you can grasp the brace and it won't budge then the hole and the brace are just fine and you shouldn't continue to worry about it.

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