Fitting guide G7
Items Required For Install
- 1 x TRD rear strut brace
- Screwdrivers (flat-head and cross-head)
- Power drill
- Pilot drill bit (e.g. 3mm)
- 8mm drill bit
- Socket and ratchet set
- Small saw
- Sticky tape
- Craft knife
- Centre punch
- Sharp point or scribe
- Round file
- Vacuum cleaner
Although written instructions are included in the kit, I found one part in particular to be a bit misleading.
Therefore, I have written my own install guide in an attempt to make this install a little easier than it was for me should you wish to install one of these strut bars.
This installation is well within the limits of a competent DIY enthusiast. However, the following instructions are for guidance only.
I cannot be held responsible for any damage you do to your car.
1. Fold the rear seats forward and remove the rear storage tray. The tray comes away when the two plastic popping rivets have
been removed (press the centre and pull out).
2. Remove the carpet liner, wheel-cover board and then unbolt the two side storage trays.
3. Remove the two side panels, taking care to retain the plastic clip anchors inside the recess. You will have to remove a couple
of plastic rivets (these pop out in the same was as the storage tray ones) and also a couple of black pegs next to the rear seats (turn 90 degrees and pull out).
4. The enclosed instructions include three templates. Using these, place the appropriate templates on the side panels and rear
tray, mark the cut out areas to be removed and then using a saw and/or craft knife, remove the portions of plastic from the trim. Put to one side.
5. Unbolt the seat hooks (these hold the seats in place when up).
6. Place the bar over the holes where the seat hooks came off and bolt into place, reasonably tight, using both bolts on each side.
7. Make sure the large oval hole of the lower bracket on the bar lines up with the same shaped hole on the base of the car.
8. On the side of the bracket, mark the two 8mm holes exactly, preferably by scratching the circles into the paint.
Warning: The instructions tell you to rest the brace on the car, line the oval holes up and then mark for drilling.
Do not do this as the holes for the upper brackets that bolt behind the seat hooks will not line up. Bolt the brace to the seat hook holes and then mark the holes to be drilled on the car.
9. Centre punch the middle of the scratched circles and remove the bar from the car.
10. Use a pilot drill bit to drill the two centre dots and then enlarge with the 8mm bit.
11. File the rough edges on both sides of the drilled holes.
12. Vacuum the swarf away from the area.
13. Now insert the lower bracket of the bar through the cutout of the storage tray.
14. Loosely place the side panels back in place, but do not secure.
15. With careful manipulation and placement, insert the upper brackets through the side panel cutouts with the whole brace swung
up to the rear of the car (with tray still attached).
16. Carefully lower the brace into position, keeping the tray over the brace.
17. Place the small plate through the oval holes and push the two supplied bolts through the brace, car and plats, securing with
the nuts.
18. Bolt the upper brackets into place with the seat hooks placed over the top.
19. Tighten all bolts.
20. Now fasten the side panels into place and reattach the rear tray in reverse order to removal.
21. Place the TRD emblem over the oval hole.
22. Replace the side trays, wheel cover board and carpet liner.
23. Replace rear seats in upward position.
Mark J. Walker (Whrrr)
