[kropscamaro16]

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

Did you not read the first post? Yeah, the thread is 2 and 1/2 years old but the ink hasn't faded, lol.

lol i read it i just dont understand why somebody would care to paint an oem part like this

[Mountain]

I think if you remove the upper panel that goes across the top of the bulkhead/firewall it makes it easier to get those lateral strut tower braces out.

[17rsvert]

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

lol i read it i just dont understand why somebody would care to paint an oem part like this

WOW! Now that's a bit judgemental. Think about it. With that unhelpful attitude, you could tear into every single post on this forum. No one NEEDS a Camaro, not everyone has the same desire for a turbo 4, V6, V8, manual, automatic, coupe or convertible. And everyone's level of customization is different. I have zero desire to change out my strut braces, but I would never knock someone elses choice about it. If you have nothing positive to add to the post, maybe it's better to add nothing.

[00 Trans Ram]

Originally Posted by 17rsvert

WOW! Now that's a bit judgemental. Think about it. With that unhelpful attitude, you could tear into every single post on this forum. No one NEEDS a Camaro, not everyone has the same desire for a turbo 4, V6, V8, manual, automatic, coupe or convertible. And everyone's level of customization is different. I have zero desire to change out my strut braces, but I would never knock someone elses choice about it. If you have nothing positive to add to the post, maybe it's better to add nothing.

Of course, your reasoning would preclude us judging someone who does this.



I can guarantee you that everyone, even you, would try to convince someone to NOT do this. My point isn't that we should or should not be convincing someone to paint their braces. My point is that everyone draws their line at "too much" or "why" differently.

Someone who paints their braces is doing it purely for cosmetic reasons. For people to look at. They probably want to know if everyone else is looking at them thinking "why would someone do that". They may choose to still do it, but at least they would know what others are thinking. They can make an informed decision.

For instance, when I was racing my Trans Am, the front bumper would get absolutely sand blasted by other cars in front of me kicking up dirt/dust at 130mph. After a few races, the bumper looked like it had been sprinkled with pepper. I "could" have had it repainted, but that would cost hundreds of $$$. So, I used a cheap rattle-can spray paint that kinda matched the red color. It looked horrible, and I knew people wouldn't like it. But, I did it anyway, because I knew in 3 months, it would look bad anyway.

[17rsvert]

Originally Posted by 00 Trans Ram

I can guarantee you that everyone, even you, would try to convince someone to NOT do this. ...

Someone who paints their braces is doing it purely for cosmetic reasons.....

HA, HA, LOVE THAT GOLD MESS OF A CAR!
You're right, that's something I would never do, but who am to try to talk someone out of it? I say go for it! Your car, your time and your money.

And OK, the OP wants red braces for cosmetic reasons, but he was asking for help how to remove them, not asking for opinions on how it would look or if he should do it or not. Why offer advice if it wasn't asked for?

[tedmillard]

I do a lot of car shows and just want my car to standout. All I want to know is how to take them out. Yes I know there's 3 bolts and a nut, and you would think that's all it took. Well getting the 3 bolts and nut off was cake. Trying to get the brace out of the engine bay, not so easy.

[Viper-6]

Defibrillator activated..........anyone ever manage this?

[Cmax]

I took a look at mine…. After taking the nut off the back fire wall, and the other two bolts, it is still gonna be stuck in there obviously.
the middle connection is held by the over hanging steel cowl which appears to be welded to the firewall.
I think the only way is to figure out how to remove the stud sticking out of the firewall. I can’t tell if it was welded on or can be backed out from under the dash…..if you have to access under the dash, it will be a major pain in the ass.
Either way, it appears to me to be more work than it’s worth.
So I agree that taping it off really well and taking a rattle can to it is your best option.
That’s my two cents

[MR2Aaron]

Could you maybe rotate the brace towards the back of the car, and then pivot it forward until it clears the shock tower?

It seems farfetched to me that they would bolt this part in at the factory and then weld more parts on around it.

[Richiefcknrich]

If you could get the stud(bolt) behind the motor out you should be able to slide that end tords the floor and it should come out that way. If the hole for said stud is bigger then the stud you might be able to rotate it. But from what I can see is that stud will have to be removed to get them out.

[JDaniels609]

I’m sure the company that sells them painted could offer some insight..

[Smokin19]

You mean like this.

[lt4camaro]

I have removed the struts, get in there with a small cutting powered device that will hold a small diameter cut off wheel, cut 3/8 of a inch off the stud on the fire wall and remove the strut. Dab the end with white touch up. There is enough stud and threads still left to slide the strut on and put the nut back on and tighten

[lt4camaro]

I took them off to reduce road noise/harshness that comes thru the shock tower and hooks directly to the firewall thru those struts.