Hi all,

I bought a second hand STI front strut brace off a blobeye last night to go onto my WRX bugeye, and although the part itself looks completely fine, it doesn't seem to "pop straight on to the existing suspension bolts" as most posts in this forum suggest. Looks the same as this:
http://www.gradea-subaru.co.uk/images/st/st_sti-strut.jpg

I tried to see if I could get it in place at the point of buying it, just to see if it would fit, and it looked close, but I couldn't quite get it into place. The guy I bought it from seemed to think it was "adjustable" although looking at it I don't see how I could adjust it :wonder: but I bought it anyway.

I've seen some posts saying it's actually easier to take the brace apart, fit the two brackets from each end and then refit the bar.

Can anyone throw any light on this for me? Is there anything special I need to do to get it to fit?

Thanks all in advance - all advice greatly appreciated.

Anybody? Not that I'm impatient or anything ;)
I know it's a fairly simple thing supposedly - am I doing something wrong :wonder:

It should go straight on iirc..?:wonder:

So either there's something not right with the brace (does it look straight..?) or the bug is different to the blob, which I didn't think there was..?:wonder:

If it's the latter I'll buy it off you, been looking for one..! ;)

That bar is definitely not adjustable BTW..!

Fair enough - if I can't get it to fit at the weekend you've got a deal :thumb:

Did you see the brace on the car(blob) before you bought it ? As that doesn't look like the one I have, you only have 2 fixing holes on each side whereas mine has three and is a complete circle.

I have bever fitted a strut brace that simply falls on, they have all needed a bit of manhandling to go over the bolts.

Hi all,

I bought a second hand STI front strut brace off a blobeye last night to go onto my WRX bugeye, and although the part itself looks completely fine, it doesn't seem to "pop straight on to the existing suspension bolts" as most posts in this forum suggest. Looks the same as this:
http://www.gradea-subaru.co.uk/images/st/st_sti-strut.jpg

I tried to see if I could get it in place at the point of buying it, just to see if it would fit, and it looked close, but I couldn't quite get it into place. The guy I bought it from seemed to think it was "adjustable" although looking at it I don't see how I could adjust it :wonder: but I bought it anyway.

I've seen some posts saying it's actually easier to take the brace apart, fit the two brackets from each end and then refit the bar.

Can anyone throw any light on this for me? Is there anything special I need to do to get it to fit?

Thanks all in advance - all advice greatly appreciated. hi m8 i have checked out this problem for you m8
the blobeye strut brace will not fit your wrx bugeye :nono: as there differences on the top mounts:Suspiciou .acc/to my whiteline catalogues .you cant make it fit so sell it and get the right one for the job :eek2: .just shows you manufactures alter silly bits :iamwithst regards geo:thumb: the part no for whiteline tpo brace is ksb 554

Aaaargh - typical. Thanks for the heads up - why the bloody hell can't they keep these things consistent between models! :mad:

Appreciate the info - thorough response as always - thanks for everyone's input.

YHPM..;)

I have one for sale, looks like the Tein one.

Ok guys, this is weird.
I chatted to my local dealer in Twyford yesterday. Their parts guy reckons that whilst a brace from a classic definitely wouldn't fit, there were only two front braces available from Subaru for new age Imprezas - a carbon fibre one, and an aluminium / titanium (can't remember what he said) one, both of which he said were "optional accessories".

Therefore he said in theory, the brace I've got "should fit."

I'm also thinking that seeing so many places, like Scoobyworld for example, offer braces to fit "all new ages from 2001-2005 including" STI's, then something doesn't add up.

I'll try and fit it today - if it won't go on - Jasonius I'll be in touch :thumb:

That looks like an STi Titanium version, got that one fitted to my blob.

Take the centre bar out and fit the 2 end mounts first then see if you can attach the centre bar, you should have a few mm of adjustment doing that.

You may be able to slot the mouting holes (centre to ends) slightly to get it to fit as well....

Simon

You've got a titanium STi brace there. It WILL fit all newage WRXs and STis.
Fit the two end brackets on first. The bar should be at the back and not against the intercooler.
If it still doesn't work then try it on someone elses bugeye and double check their distance across top strut mounts against yours.

nick

Guys - cheers for all the replies.
Fitted it today, and did what was suggested - dissassembled it into 3 pieces, fitted the two brackets first and then the bar.

Doing it this way - NO PROBLEM! So thanks to all of you :thumb: