Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

Just finished installing my 99 Solara OEM strut bar on my 97 Es, but due to hood clearance, the bar doesn't clear and caused my hood to buldge. In the end, I ended up taking it out
Unfortunately I was doing a search about this in the forum and read that they do fit..
Has anyone else had any luck?

Kohinoor

iTrader: (22)

did you get the oem bar or the trd bar?.. oem one fits perfectly.. trd bar requires cutting of hood supports to fit snugly

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

It is OEM, and it still did not clear the hood.

lexusk8

I read the same response from that same thread where the member (I think it was MCV20) said he had no problems fitting the Solara OEM strut bar in his '97 ES. I'm surprised to hear this is not the case for you, sorry to hear that.

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

Here are 3 visible I guess dust marks from the hood lining left on the strut bar were they did not clear the hood.

jhbhatia

(if i sound stupid - pls pardon me). from gen4 camry experiences...if you mate an oem solara strut bar with a gen4 camry, the first time closing the hood is an issue, your hood insulation will crease inwards (creating space for the strutbar in the insulation if you see it with hood open). But the hood closes well and has no clerance issues....maybe your hood insulation needs more indentation (if thats a word)...

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

I thought about that, but the insulation takes like 1cm of space between the hood. I didn't actually pull off the insulation but, I could feel and put my hand behind those points, and feel the hood supports underneath. All 3 spots seem to line up exactly where the supports were. I pondered whether to cut the space out I needed for the strut, or even add some washers to the hood latch, on the hood side to raise it up a few. But a few friends convinced me hacking up the hood supports could be bad, even if it was only in 3 small spots, the washer idea I might still try, but I don't know if I really want my hood to have a louvered look.

It did shut, but with some extra force, and some gap that bothered me, the hood seemed to be bending, which i think could crease eventually.

Stub333

Is it cutting and bending and all that worth it for a piece that won't even make a noticable difference? You drive an ES, it's not a sports car!

MCV20

i didnt bend my hood.. but i knw they are touching the isulation.

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

Do you have the setup on your car now? I get a hood bulge (slightly higher in the back on hood) when its closed. little to tight to close properly. When I pop the hood you can tell theres extra force exerting from the strut bar. Was there any other thing you did?

Kohinoor

iTrader: (22)

my strut bar touches the insulation but didnt bend the hood

charley240

iTrader: (6)

sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but i installed my oem solara strut bar, and noticed that it bulges on the hood as well, about three spots were noticed today after looking at it in the sunset.
part number was 53681-33010, is this correct?
and i dont have any hood insulation as well.why, i dont know.
Charley

ES BL155

iTrader: (3)

my stock solara strut bar also touched the hood, but its wasnt really enough to make me worry. I couldn't physically see hood buldge but i can slightly feel the difference in the height of the hood compared to the fender when i run my hand over the seam. I've been using it for almost 2 months without any problems except putting a little bit of pressure to close the hood.

charley240

iTrader: (6)

yeah, the hood closing thing was noticed instantly for me. but wasnt able to see the hood bulge until today. it was during sunset, and i happened to look at the hood, and it was really noticable.
you know, during certain light conditions, different blemishes show.
i hope that when i take it off that those bulges go away.
Charley

shahir18

iTrader: (2)

is thr any other strut bar that will fit the 97-01 es300 perfectly?

or the solara is the only one? and how much did it cost for the bar from the dealer?

- thanks