kastle
01-15-2002, 04:42 PM
The WRX Sportswagon, not having a rear package tray or trunk lip near the base of the rear window, has no factory bracing of the rear strut towers other than the roof of the car. Thus, the wagon benefits from the installation of a strut tower brace even more than a sedan does, making this fairly inexpensive addition, a great idea. After installing mine, I immediately felt a difference in the way the car handled when being driven only moderately hard. Real hard driving makes its addition very noticeable, and appreciated.
Whiteline makes a strut tower brace specifically for the WRX wagon. The Whiteline brace is well made and comes in polished aluminum with yellow mounting brackets (barely visible after installation). I have been told that the sedan brace will fit, but the mounting brackets (part that bolts to the top of the strut) do not allow for the cosmetic covers of the wagon to be reinstalled.
The only drawback to the installation of a rear strut tower brace is that it prevents you from placing large items in the back of the wagon with the rear seats folded down. The only saving grace is that it removes with only two bolts in less than 5 minutes. I now carry the appropriate tools in the car and I can remove it whenever needed.
Tools Needed:
* Utility Knife
* 12mm deep socket and ratchet
* 17mm wrench
* 15mm wrench
* 8mm Allen (hex) wrench
* Flat blade screwdriver (possibly)
(All bolt/nut sizes listed in instructions are listed as wrench size, not thread size)
Installation Instructions:
1. Fold both halves of rear seat forward
2. Remove cosmetic covers from both rear strut towers (use screwdriver to pry up if needed).
3. Lift sound deadening material up and cut at inner attachment point using utility knife. Remove flap and set aside for replacement after brace is installed.
4. Remove three 12mm nuts from the top of each strut tower using the socket and ratchet.
5. Align outer (nearest outside of car) stud with correct hole in strut tower brace bracket. Lower inner portion of bracket down onto carpet covered interior panel while aligning last two studs with their mounting holes.
6. Using the utility knife, make a beginning cut on either side of the part of the mounting bracket that will be protruding through the interior panel. Once a cut has been started on each side of the protrusion, remove the bracket and set aside temporarily.
7. Continue the cuts until approximately 1" down from the top. Fold the center (to be removed section) down and check the fit by placing the strut tower brace mounting bracket in place. Cut only enough so that the strut tower brace mounting bracket will fit properly. Once enough has been trimmed, place the strut tower brace mounting bracket in place and reinstall the 12mm nuts and tighten securely.
8. Loosen 17mm nuts at each end of strut tower brace. Adjust mounting width until the 8mm Allen head mounting bolts can be inserted into both ends of the brace through the mounting brackets previously installed.
9. Secure the Allen bolts in place with the supplied lock washers and 15mm nuts.
10. Adjust brace until centered in vehicle and facing the desired direction. Secure 17mm nuts. Ensure all mounting hardware is properly tightened.
11. Replace sound deadening material on top of each strut tower and replace cosmetic cover.
12. Drive and enjoy!
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/brace1.jpg
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/brace2.jpg
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/brace3.jpg
Whiteline makes a strut tower brace specifically for the WRX wagon. The Whiteline brace is well made and comes in polished aluminum with yellow mounting brackets (barely visible after installation). I have been told that the sedan brace will fit, but the mounting brackets (part that bolts to the top of the strut) do not allow for the cosmetic covers of the wagon to be reinstalled.
The only drawback to the installation of a rear strut tower brace is that it prevents you from placing large items in the back of the wagon with the rear seats folded down. The only saving grace is that it removes with only two bolts in less than 5 minutes. I now carry the appropriate tools in the car and I can remove it whenever needed.
Tools Needed:
* Utility Knife
* 12mm deep socket and ratchet
* 17mm wrench
* 15mm wrench
* 8mm Allen (hex) wrench
* Flat blade screwdriver (possibly)
(All bolt/nut sizes listed in instructions are listed as wrench size, not thread size)
Installation Instructions:
1. Fold both halves of rear seat forward
2. Remove cosmetic covers from both rear strut towers (use screwdriver to pry up if needed).
3. Lift sound deadening material up and cut at inner attachment point using utility knife. Remove flap and set aside for replacement after brace is installed.
4. Remove three 12mm nuts from the top of each strut tower using the socket and ratchet.
5. Align outer (nearest outside of car) stud with correct hole in strut tower brace bracket. Lower inner portion of bracket down onto carpet covered interior panel while aligning last two studs with their mounting holes.
6. Using the utility knife, make a beginning cut on either side of the part of the mounting bracket that will be protruding through the interior panel. Once a cut has been started on each side of the protrusion, remove the bracket and set aside temporarily.
7. Continue the cuts until approximately 1" down from the top. Fold the center (to be removed section) down and check the fit by placing the strut tower brace mounting bracket in place. Cut only enough so that the strut tower brace mounting bracket will fit properly. Once enough has been trimmed, place the strut tower brace mounting bracket in place and reinstall the 12mm nuts and tighten securely.
8. Loosen 17mm nuts at each end of strut tower brace. Adjust mounting width until the 8mm Allen head mounting bolts can be inserted into both ends of the brace through the mounting brackets previously installed.
9. Secure the Allen bolts in place with the supplied lock washers and 15mm nuts.
10. Adjust brace until centered in vehicle and facing the desired direction. Secure 17mm nuts. Ensure all mounting hardware is properly tightened.
11. Replace sound deadening material on top of each strut tower and replace cosmetic cover.
12. Drive and enjoy!
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/brace1.jpg
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/brace2.jpg
http://www.scoobymods.com/mods/wrx/images/brace3.jpg