BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text

Gadgetdad · 03-01-2008, 02:01 AM

If you would like to see pictures and the complete installation instructions from BT Tech, click on this: BT Strut Tower Brace Install (by Gadgetdad) - a photoset on Flickr

This is a fairly easy installation that requires a few common tools and a torque wrench. I installed mine and took pictures in about an hour.

The Strut Brace looks sharp and fits perfectly in the tight engine compartment. The handling feels much more responsive and precise with definite improvement in cornering and any "slalom" maneuvers. Well done, BT Technologies!

Lee

moderator note: Galaxee has posted a 'how to' for replacement of the PCV valve. If you are anywhere near 60k miles I strongly suggest you consider doing the PCV replacement simultaneously with the BT brace install as you'll 'be right there' and will save the cost of having the dealer do it or the frustration of doing all this disassembly again later.
PCV replacement how-to with photos

Bill Merchant · 03-01-2008, 02:39 AM

Thanks for the great pics and comments, Lee!

Boo · 03-01-2008, 02:42 AM

Thanks Lee. The photos with text are great.

EDIT: Below is my Post #32 of this thread. I've included it here so that newcomers could easily see and download my Microsoft Word file of Lee's photos with text (if that's their preference).

Lee,

Thanks again for your flickr set BT Tech Strut Tower Brace Install Pictures and Text. Great stuff.

Because I won't have internet access on the NYC street where I'll be doing my install, I've put your flickr set of 41 photos and text (plus efusco's post and your response thereto) into the attached Word file. That way I (and others similarly situated) could access it while doing the install.

Attached Files:

BT Tech Strut Tower Brace Install - By GadgetDad (Lee) v2.doc

**efusco** · 03-01-2008, 06:23 AM

Well done...any photos you want me to take to add to the set when I do my install?

donee · 03-01-2008, 09:48 AM

Hi All,

Gadget..., those are great pictures. While looking at them I had an idea. It would be nice for maintenance to have the nuts on the rear end of the flanges that the bar drops down into be captured. That way, one could just pull the long bolts out from the front, and lift the bar out of the bracket and pull it forward and out of the car.

This could be done with a block of aluminum alloy, possibly. The block would have a hex pocket, and on axis through-hole. It would also have slots to position it over the flange. Another way would be a hex through-hole, with pins at the far end to keep the nut captured.

Ford did allot of this type of thing on the Tempo. Which made it easy to work on. I specifically remember the exhaust system had nuts with long tangs welded on. So, one could just crank the bolt and the tang would wip around till it caught on something and the bolt would unthread. I was able to replace the whole exhaust system on that car in a about an hour thanks to these devices.

Gadgetdad · 03-01-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efusco

Well done...any photos you want me to take to add to the set when I do my install?

Thanks... I wish I had taken a close-up of the strut brace flange where the bar bolts on. Also as I was getting finished with the install, my excitement grew and I didn't take as many shots of the replacing of the various removed parts. It may be good to note any maintenance things to do while you have the covers removed... like cleaning up the debris or even installing an EBH from the top side.

Lee

jammin012 · 03-01-2008, 03:54 PM

Beautiful install. I started getting worried after the first few pics thinking "this was supposed to be an "easy" install?". Turns out it seams that way. Hand it to BT, that is one great looking install and goes very well with the look under the hood. If you didn't know, you could almost miss it.

BT Tech · 03-03-2008, 11:29 PM

Thanks Gadgetdad for your in-depth review and for taking the time to post great pictures of your installation. Your install looks awesome!!

Bobbyb · 03-06-2008, 08:20 AM

Much thanks for the pics and your time .

mrichman · 03-18-2008, 12:14 AM

Would adding Tom's front lower brace in conjunction with the BT upper front brace add rigidity over just the front upper brace? Any drawbacks to doing so (other than to my bank account)? Do the BT folks plan on a lower brace for the front or rear?

Mike

03-01-2008, 02:01 AM	#1
Gadgetdad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Modesto, California Posts: 462 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Premium w/ Solar Cells - CA Thanks: 87 Thanked 47 Times in 19 Posts Friends: 0	BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text If you would like to see pictures and the complete installation instructions from BT Tech, click on this: BT Strut Tower Brace Install (by Gadgetdad) - a photoset on Flickr This is a fairly easy installation that requires a few common tools and a torque wrench. I installed mine and took pictures in about an hour. The Strut Brace looks sharp and fits perfectly in the tight engine compartment. The handling feels much more responsive and precise with definite improvement in cornering and any "slalom" maneuvers. Well done, BT Technologies! Lee moderator note: Galaxee has posted a 'how to' for replacement of the PCV valve. If you are anywhere near 60k miles I strongly suggest you consider doing the PCV replacement simultaneously with the BT brace install as you'll 'be right there' and will save the cost of having the dealer do it or the frustration of doing all this disassembly again later. PCV replacement how-to with photos __________________ '10 Blizzard Pearl IV with Sunroof and illuminated door sills; tinted windows; Darell's LED door, cargo, and overhead lighting. On the workbench: Mud flaps, side strip, fog lamps. Last edited by efusco; 12-23-2008 at 09:29 PM. Reason: Double word

03-01-2008, 02:39 AM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,096 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 20 Thanked 40 Times in 21 Posts Friends: 63	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Thanks for the great pics and comments, Lee!

03-01-2008, 06:23 AM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 19,627 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 215 Thanked 873 Times in 506 Posts Friends: 47	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Well done...any photos you want me to take to add to the set when I do my install?

03-01-2008, 09:48 AM	#5
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,958 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 100 Thanked 183 Times in 139 Posts Friends: 0	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Hi All, Gadget..., those are great pictures. While looking at them I had an idea. It would be nice for maintenance to have the nuts on the rear end of the flanges that the bar drops down into be captured. That way, one could just pull the long bolts out from the front, and lift the bar out of the bracket and pull it forward and out of the car. This could be done with a block of aluminum alloy, possibly. The block would have a hex pocket, and on axis through-hole. It would also have slots to position it over the flange. Another way would be a hex through-hole, with pins at the far end to keep the nut captured. Ford did allot of this type of thing on the Tempo. Which made it easy to work on. I specifically remember the exhaust system had nuts with long tangs welded on. So, one could just crank the bolt and the tang would wip around till it caught on something and the bolt would unthread. I was able to replace the whole exhaust system on that car in a about an hour thanks to these devices. Last edited by donee; 03-01-2008 at 09:53 AM.

03-01-2008, 03:54 PM	#7
jammin012 The man behind The Man Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cali Posts: 510 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 1	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Beautiful install. I started getting worried after the first few pics thinking "this was supposed to be an "easy" install?". Turns out it seams that way. Hand it to BT, that is one great looking install and goes very well with the look under the hood. If you didn't know, you could almost miss it.

03-01-2008, 02:42 AM	#3
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Flushing, NY Posts: 5,086 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 337 Thanked 602 Times in 315 Posts Friends: 24	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Thanks Lee. The photos with text are great. EDIT: Below is my Post #32 of this thread. I've included it here so that newcomers could easily see and download my Microsoft Word file of Lee's photos with text (if that's their preference). Lee, Thanks again for your flickr set BT Tech Strut Tower Brace Install Pictures and Text. Great stuff. Because I won't have internet access on the NYC street where I'll be doing my install, I've put your flickr set of 41 photos and text (plus efusco's post and your response thereto) into the attached Word file. That way I (and others similarly situated) could access it while doing the install. Attached Files: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace Install - By GadgetDad (Lee) v2.doc __________________ Best regards, Tom 07 Magnetic Gray #2 - GY TripleTreds 195/60R15, BT Tech Strut Tower Brace, BT Tech Stiffening Plate, Philips X-Treme Power Headlights, Webasto 4300 Sunroof, Sharkfin Antenna, Chrome Wheel Covers, Chrome Door Handles, BumperDefender.com Bumper Guard Strips, Body Side Moldings, Rear Bumper Protector, NoBump.com License Plate Screw Bumpers, Bumper Bully, Australian Merino Sheepskin Seat Covers, Leather Steering Wheel Cover, Leather Center Console Cover, Center-Hump Litter Basket, Non-Slip Pads, Dalmatian Bobble Heads. Last edited by Boo; 12-20-2010 at 11:10 PM.

03-03-2008, 11:29 PM	#8
BT Tech Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 885 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 3	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Thanks Gadgetdad for your in-depth review and for taking the time to post great pictures of your installation. Your install looks awesome!!

03-06-2008, 08:20 AM	#9
Bobbyb bobbyb Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 62 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Much thanks for the pics and your time .

03-18-2008, 12:14 AM	#10
mrichman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 20 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: BT Tech Strut Tower Brace install pictures and Text Would adding Tom's front lower brace in conjunction with the BT upper front brace add rigidity over just the front upper brace? Any drawbacks to doing so (other than to my bank account)? Do the BT folks plan on a lower brace for the front or rear? Mike

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