Strut Tower Brace missing from your engine bay?

[Less Weight]

Ok, so after owning the car for a year, and having these parts sitting in my garage for about the same amount of time, I FINALLY will have some spare time to work on it and the first thing I'm doing is putting these braces on. Before I do, I have a few questions.

1.) Regarding the picture below, which 908ssp originally posted, are the two threaded holes, highlighted with red arrows, the intended point of attachment for the K-brace?

2.) If so, does the K-brace mount above the pictured firewall bracket, sandwiched in between the firewall bracket and the sheet metal, or directly below the sheet metal? I'm almost certain that it goes below the sheet metal (From top to bottom: firewall bracket, sheet metal, K-Brace) but I just wanted to verify.

3.) I assume to install the 3 bolts of the firewall bracket, one would likely have to remove the windshield wipers. True or not? I have read that many of you have not removed it in its entirety to install the K-brace, however, the bolts of the firewall bracket are set further back than those of the K-brace, thus making install more difficult.

4.) Has anyone taken a picture of all 3 parts installed and exposed (without the windshield wiper shroud blocking the view) ?

Thanks for the input in advance.

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[BmacIL]

Ok, so after owning the car for a year, and having these parts sitting in my garage for about the same amount of time, I FINALLY will have some spare time to work on it and the first thing I'm doing is putting these braces on. Before I do, I have a few questions.

1.) Regarding the picture below, which 908ssp originally posted, are the two threaded holes, highlighted with red arrows, the intended point of attachment for the K-brace?

2.) If so, does the K-brace mount above the pictured firewall bracket, sandwiched in between the firewall bracket and the sheet metal, or directly below the sheet metal? I'm almost certain that it goes below the sheet metal (From top to bottom: firewall bracket, sheet metal, K-Brace) but I just wanted to verify.

3.) I assume to install the 3 bolts of the firewall bracket, one would likely have to remove the windshield wipers. True or not? I have read that many of you have not removed it in its entirety to install the K-brace, however, the bolts of the firewall bracket are set further back than those of the K-brace, thus making install more difficult.

4.) Has anyone taken a picture of all 3 parts installed and exposed (without the windshield wiper shroud blocking the view) ?

Thanks for the input in advance.

You can do the K-brace without taking off the wipers, but no way to get the pictured bracket in without removing them.

 

[Jmeo]

You can do the K-brace without taking off the wipers, but no way to get the pictured bracket in without removing them.

I installed mine a few months ago. Just get a gear puller and the wiper arms come off in 2.3 seconds. Easy, breezy, beautiful, CoverGirl

 

[jbailer]

I took my wiper arms off without a puller. Just take the nut off and lift it right off.

 

[Less Weight]

You can do the K-brace without taking off the wipers, but no way to get the pictured bracket in without removing them.

I installed mine a few months ago. Just get a gear puller and the wiper arms come off in 2.3 seconds. Easy, breezy, beautiful, CoverGirl

I took my wiper arms off without a puller. Just take the nut off and lift it right off.

Thanks for the info guys; It's much appreciated.

Also, if anyone has an answer to questions 1, 2, and 4, lay it on me as I'll be doing the install sooner than later.

 

[JamesinLittleSilver]

There are instructions for doing it without pulling the wipers. I cannot see your pictures at work sorry but assume it is the standard K brace. Look around CJ Pony parts or AM has the way to do it.

 

[Less Weight]

Quick question for those who have installed these three braces. Did any of you put any retaining/thread compound on the bolts? I noticed when I removed one of the bolts today, I could clearly see dried up green goop on the bolt's threads. If so, what strength (low, medium, or high) did you use? Judging by the effort used to remove the bolt, I'd say Ford used a low or medium strength.

 

[Sc00ter]

Quick question for those who have installed these three braces. Did any of you put any retaining/thread compound on the bolts? I noticed when I removed one of the bolts today, I could clearly see dried up green goop on the bolt's threads. If so, what strength (low, medium, or high) did you use? Judging by the effort used to remove the bolt, I'd say Ford used a low or medium strength.

I didn't use any locktite for the install, and didn't see any on my bolts. P.S.,
It's an easy install without pulling the wiper arms, there's enough flex in the plastic parts to slide a wrench under them.
:ford:

 

[Less Weight]

I didn't use any locktite for the install, and didn't see any on my bolts. P.S.,
It's an easy install without pulling the wiper arms, there's enough flex in the plastic parts to slide a wrench under them.
:ford:

Really? That's strange because it is clearly visible on all of my bolts. Weird. :shrug:

I pulled the wiper arms off because I am also installing the smaller firewall connector brace. Not to mention it's a breeze to remove the wiper arms (only took about 5 minutes for both with a gear puller). Also, I'm not sure how people are fitting a torque wrench under the plastic shroud. Without taking off the wiper arms and then the shroud, It seems highly unlikely that someone could fit a torque wrench under that space.

Also, I noticed before installing the firewall brace that the insert holes are splayed/split on the front lip/leading edge as shown below. Does anyone know why that is so?

 

[dguzzi]

Bump to see the rest of the story! Just when we were getting to the meat of the installation details! Please continue!

 

[BmacIL]

I finally ordered the cowl to dash brace. Will let you know how it feels compared to just the K brace and strut tower brace (I also have the PP lower K brace under the engine).

 

[dguzzi]

I installed the cowl to dash and steel brace to shock towers (99$) Its not bad, I used a battery terminal puller to remove the wiper arms, easy.
Now I will look for a strut tower brace for a reasonable price.
LESS WEIGHT---those tabs are separated by the seam sealer at the factory, no problem.
Can't drive it for a while though...to salty here!

 

[Kevin08]

So does the firewall brace just add extra structural rigidity to the firewall point where the cowl brace mounts? Guess it would be best to order all 3 components if so.

 

[BmacIL]

So does the firewall brace just add extra structural rigidity to the firewall point where the cowl brace mounts? Guess it would be best to order all 3 components if so.

Yes. It ties the cowl to the structure of the body. If you're going to go through with putting the other stuff in, do the whole thing, IMO.

 

[Kevin08]

Yes. It ties the cowl to the structure of the body. If you're going to go through with putting the other stuff in, do the whole thing, IMO.

Makes sense, if Ford put in resources to design and produce it in the first place there must be a reason for it. Although it does make me wonder why it isn't included on any of the FRPP STB/K brace kits.

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