4 point ladder bar

N

NJP5Guy

Member
:
2003 Black Mica P5 5spd
ok. i just got done putting on my ladder bar. well im not totally happy with it but its on. the design could have been better because the fitment wasn't all that great. There are two protrusions(one on each side of the frame of the car) that interfered w/ the ladder bar. why they didnt make the bar to work around this i dont know. i wasn't able to use the washers from the existing plate that is on the p5 because they were too big(the spots on the bar where the bolts slide through werent designed large enough to accomodate the existing bolt/washer....dumb). when i tried using the existing bolts and washers with the ladder bar the bolts wouldnt match up with the holes in the frame of the car so therefore i coulnt use the washers....i dont like that.

i just hope i dont have problems with this down the road. next i have to put on the tie bar. think im just gunna wait till i get to work to use a lift. ughh
 
Did it interfere with your exhaust? I've been thinking about getting that same ladder, but I'm afraid it won't fit over my JIC.
 
Natey said:
Did it interfere with your exhaust? I've been thinking about getting that same ladder, but I'm afraid it won't fit over my JIC.
Click to expand...

no it didnt. all i have is a cat back. the ladder bar replaces the big heavy chunk of metal that connects the control arms. you migh have probs if you have an aftermarket midpipe. i will post pics when i get a camera (hand)
 
I had the exact same problem with mine when I tried to install. The washers couldn't be used due to that fact. I didn't install it subsequently as I think the washers SHOULD be installed. I also called GT Spec last week and spoke to Ken - he told me that we should be able to use the washers. I told him no worky.....he said try it again...I told him I tried for 20 minutes, alternately adjusting and loosening the bolts to allow max. slot movement.

Needless to say, I didn't install it (I did put the tie rod brace on though).

Needless to say as well, I think the design is good, but the dimensions need some fudging. At the very least and for the price, they could have sourced smaller OD washers for the install and included them (what's the cost on 4 washers at cost anyhow?).

As for exhaust, all GT Spec will say for certain is that it won't work with Kartboy exhaust hangers.

NJP5Guy, let me know if you manage anything better on this. I need to go look for some smaller OD washers in the mean time......
 
dimitrios....did you have trouble with those little "nubs" on the frame of the car? i put my bar on but those nubs are pressed right against the bar. i will take the bar off to put on better washers. i might call them as well(gtspec). thanks for the info.

also did you trouble with bolts for the tie bar(getting them out) i still need to put my tie bar on but will wait until i get put it on a lift. im all stiff from scrunching under the car to put the ladder bar on(used ramps)
 
I used a 24" breaker bark to get the tie bar bolts off. I forget the spec off hand, but they're in there pretty decent (final spec is like 60 ft. lbs). It was a bit of a b**** just getting them to budge, but just some steady pressure and off they came, along with some PB Lubricant.

As for the nubs, I'm not too sure I know what you mean off hand without going back under (which will have to wait for a few weeks...months....)..trying to remember. However, when I did dry fit the ladder brace, I don't remember having any significant fit issues with the nubs.

Had it not been for the washers being too large in OD, I'd have it installed now.

If you call GT Spec (www.gtspec.com), let me know what they say.

D
 
ive got an impact wrench and undid the one bolt but it didnt want to come all the way out(didnt want to force it cuz i wasnt sure what kind of weight it supported with the control arm). i know it is only partially threaded(the bolt) but maybe i just need to pull it out the rest of the way by hand. its just so awkward when lieing on your back to get any kind of leverage. as for the other bolt i couldnt get to it because my impact gun was too big and the oil pan was in the way. need an extension to use my impact wrench. im going to finish the job when i can do it standing up.

as for the nubs youd know what im talking about when you try to put the ladder bar on unless of course you dont have those on your car(quite posible its a slight difference in manufacturing of the chasis). if i had a camera id take pics but i dont.
 
I have an 03 and now that I think about it a little, I think I know what you mean (about the nubs).

I had my Protege5 on jackstands, so the control arms were hanging. I think if you tried pulling those out while there's weight on the suspension, you'll have some issues. They are partially threaded and most of the remaining "pull" is just the control arm weight against it. Thankfully for the rest of the suspension, those bolts aren't the only thing keeping it all together.
 
Dimitrios said:
I have an 03 and now that I think about it a little, I think I know what you mean (about the nubs).

I had my Protege5 on jackstands, so the control arms were hanging. I think if you tried pulling those out while there's weight on the suspension, you'll have some issues. They are partially threaded and most of the remaining "pull" is just the control arm weight against it. Thankfully for the rest of the suspension, those bolts aren't the only thing keeping it all together.
Click to expand...

thats why im going to put it on the lift and do it. should be much easier to get those bolts out. i didnt know what else to call the "nubs" or protrusions, or bumps. they were in the way of the ladder bar. you can get the bar on but its a very tight fit when you tighten the bolts. i was worried that it would bend or damage the bar(when i tightened it down) but it seems ok. just downt know why when they made the bar they didnt go around the "nubs" i too will get different washers to fit. looks like its off to home depot this week again.
 
Should be about 35 here on Sunday so I'm going to look to lift it again and check out what you're talking about ("nubs") and have some new washers as well.
 
i installed my lower tie bar today. i'm not usre i'm liking these products. the tie bar rattles against the frame at idle and i am getting a clunking sound when taking a quick turn. the sound occurs if the road is slightly unlevel(ie maybe a light grade to it or minor bump). will readjust this weekend and see if it solves the problem. ugh
 
I don't think you can adjust the tie bar any - it's all or nothing really.

As for the clunk, I get it a little bit as well. I'll have to pay attention to it a bit more. Actually, I get this wierd feeling feeling through 1st and 2nd gear when accellerating off a stoplight or complete stop. It feels like the clutch isn't catching (not exactly chattering), but it's more pronounced. I'm not sure if the chassis isn't just flexing any longer and I get this this feeling now...it's odd..hard to explain..only happens in those two gears and never happened before the tie bar went on....just odd. I really need to get my rear AWR mount installed too as I get a bit of a "bucking" going now and personally I do think that the chassis isn't flexing under accel. and causing the resonation....

GT Spec = voodoo products (wtf)
 
last weekend i bought new washers to use on the ladder bar. i bought smaller diameter washers to fit in the openings on the bar where the bolts go through and then used the old washers(the ones from the car) as spacers to give a tiny bit more room between the bar and the chasis of the car. my ladder bar was rubbing on the chasis. the smaller diameter washers work fine...used them because the stock washers were too big to fit properly with the bar at the four corners(the way they should have been used...but the fitment of the bar wasnt perfect). as for the tie bar. i retightened it though it was already tight. it still clunks but i guess thats just the way it has to be. i think they need to go back and reevaluate the ladder bar at the very least to improve fitment.
 
as of yet i havent really noticed a big differeence in handling but i havent pushed it very hard. i dont drive as hard in the winter as i do in the summer....more likely to break parts when its cold out.
 
What is the issue with Kartboy hangers? I would think they would help keep the exhaust up and out of the way... man, glad I read this thread - making me reconsider my future GT Spec purchases :(

Dimitrios said:
As for exhaust, all GT Spec will say for certain is that it won't work with Kartboy exhaust hangers.
Click to expand...
 
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