Why won't a Hotchkis STB fit on my 2001 A4 Firebird?

[Steve Caroccia]

Like the title says. I first had some troubles with the brackets, but the Dremel took care of that. But then, the damn thing is like a 1/2" too long. It isn't like I can take a 1/2" off with the Dremel and re-weld. Any reasons why? I bought this from a guy on LS1 that is being quiet since I wrote to him. He had it on his car. And no, I don't know what year and make his car is, yet.

Thanks
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[TheBeast]

I had the same problem at first...are you mounting the brackets first, and then trying to attach the bar? If so it will be about .5-1" off. You must install it with the brackets already on, and just angle them in a way that you can wedge the dang thing on there. It should then fit flush.

[Steve Caroccia]

You mean like loosen the first screw to tilt the bracket. Doesn;t that defeat the purpose of getting the STB to fit snug?

[TheBeast]

some tilting is required to first get both brackets over the bolts at the same time, after that its just a matter of wedging it on there flat

[scottblack]

On my 2000 the Hotchkis fit just fine. Only pain was getting the bolts through the bracket to connect it to the brace. I forgot to put on the spacers though, will do that when the headers go in.

Scott