Shock Tower Bar Installation

Time to install: 20 mins

Tools Required: Socket and wrench set, some kits may also need an allen key set.

People tend to interchangeably use the terms "Shock Tower Brace" and "Strut Tower Brace". Our Miatas don't have struts, so it's technically a shock tower bar.

This installation covers a 2-point bar installation. A 3-point bar is also available, and slightly more involved. Opinions on these are pretty mixed, regardless of make. Some people report no improvement, others swear by them and others think they negatively impact the car by introducing too much oversteer. Some are literally 4 bolts with very little adjustment, and others allow you to fine tune the tightness/length of the bar. You'll have to see for yourself!

Remove the two nuts on each side of the shock on both sides of the engine. New bar is now ready for installation.

Put the new bar in and replace the bolts. Tighten them so the feet lay flat. If your bar has nuts to adjust the length, you may opt to do this just before making the final tightening. A firm, hand-tight is good. If you have a torque wrench, you can set it to 28 ft-lbs.

With the feet firmly in place, you can now fine tune anything else that is adjustable, including the joints, and any nuts that allow lengthening or shortening the bar to make it nice and tight. If you're unsure, it's better to lengthen the bar so it's pushing against the feet, rather than shorten it to pull the feet inwards.