Hi,

I am about to install some new shocks on my 03' 350, and will need to take the strut bar off in the engine compartment to access the shock towers (if i am mistaken and there is an easier way that would be great). I am also replacing knock sensor harness so it has to come off regardless.

I have tried just removing the 4 mounting bolts on either end but they are far too tight to take off. They are also not rusted on or othewise stuck that i can tell. I have then loosened the nuts on either side of the adjustment nut on the strutbar and have moved the adjustment nut about 1.75 turns toward the front bumper. Nuts where still too tight so i tried moving the opposite way, toward the rear bumper about 1 turn from its initial starting point. The nuts are still too tight to remove. I am getting some resistance from the adjustment nut once i turn it that far in either direction.

The car is currently on the ground when I am trying to do this. Does it need to be up on jacks in order to remove the bar/tension from the bar?

Thanks

 

It doesn't need to be raised. The steps are: 1) loosen the nuts on both the left and right sides, 2) loosen the center bolt either 660 degrees or 1.7 turns CLOCKWISE while looking at the passenger side from the driver's side, 3) remove nuts and bolts on both sides.

Your post mentioned that you turned the adjustment bolt towards the front bumper. I can't tell, but you may have tightened it, instead of loosening it. Here's the picture showing the orientation:

 

Bolts still arent budging. I think the only other options i have are using an impact gun or trying to heat the bolts up. Cant really progress with what i need to do without getting this bar off unfortunately. Doubt this has ever been removed so the bolts are probably just seized up pretty bad