Bra installation

[Dizzbe]

Re: Bra installation

Well I should have searched on this prior to trying to install the new bra on my own.

First thing I did wrong - put the top hooks in the wrong spot - Ping they are broke.

Second thing I did wrong - in trying to pull the bottom cover across - rip goes the mesh.

Third thing - can't get it stretched across no matter how hard I try.

Forth - got ticked and stopped trying. Took it off and came in the house.

Now I am reading the how to's and it is out on the deck in the sun. I'll try it again, but not too pleased now. How strong do you have to be to get this thing pulled on? I swear it's about 2 inches too short.

ARGH!

[Gobird]

Re: Bra installation

Vickie, If you have the Ford bra it should fit if connected to the correct places. With the damage you have done to it already I'm not sure how you can do it without repairs first. I can take pics of mine to show you the placements of the hooks .........but, sounds like you did a real job of damage to yours. I'll back mine out of the garage tommorow to show you the correct positions of the hooks. It is a real streach to do it the first time but if placed in the correct positions you shouldn't damage the straps.

[Dizzbe]

Re: Bra installation

Vickie, If you have the Ford bra it should fit if connected to the correct places. With the damage you have done to it already I'm not sure how you can do it without repairs first. I can take pics of mine to show you the placements of the hooks .........but, sounds like you did a real job of damage to yours. I'll back mine out of the garage tommorow to show you the correct positions of the hooks. It is a real streach to do it the first time but if placed in the correct positions you shouldn't damage the straps.

Thanks Spence - more pics might help. It is the Ford bra, and the directions that it came with are pitiful. I am going to buy steel S hooks as suggested above to replace the broken ones and the mesh rip is at the top about an inch or two long. I'll try to do something with it and hopefully can get it to work.

[Gobird]

Re: Bra installation

OK, I'll post the pics in the morning.

[Dizzbe]

Re: Bra installation

Tried again after the sun and thought for a minute that maybe..... But while I was able to hook 3 of the 5 clips on the second side I can't get anywhere near the last two. The cut out over the side lights is about an inch off from circling it as it should.

Had to take the whole thing off again. I'll look at the pics tomorrow - but am thinking I threw away $$

[Bradford]

Re: Bra installation

Bought a bra several years ago, never have put it on, or even taken it out of the box for that matter. Definately $ wasted. Never have liked bras, think maybe I'll just burn it.

[SugarDaddy]

Re: Bra installation

Vickie,

Sorry to hear of your problem. You'll probably bust some fingernails putting the front end cover on.

Yes, use steel S-hooks to attach the portion of the front end cover (ie. bra) that fits over the nose of the T-Bird hood. Our plastic hooks broke the first time I placed the bra on the hood. The S-hooks go into the little tiny slots way back under the hood, not the big slots. The S-hooks attach better anyway, IMHO.

If you haven't had the front end cover on for a while, it will be tough to get it to fit on the front of the T-Bird. If you haven't had it on ever, it will be even tougher. The bra needs to stretch out a little. Put it in the sun to warm up before installation.

If you ripped the mesh over the grille opening, you can still attach the bra, but it won't provide as much protection. You may have some flapping of the material around the mesh grille area. That may not be good thing though.

After our mesh grille panel finally ripped in 2008, I bought some new heavier plastic mesh screen fabric, for window and door screens, at a local hardware store. I took the front end cover (bra) and the new mesh fabric to a local auto upholstery shop. They removed the old mesh fabric and sewed in the new heavier plastic mesh screen. I picked up the repaired front end cover the next day. Perhaps, you have a local automobile upholstery shop that can do the same for you in the next few days, before you leave for Texas?

To install the front end cover, start in the middle by attaching the hook to the point under the hood latch. Then, work you way around to either the right or left side of the car. Don't try to fit it to both sides at the same time.
You will have to pull the cover pretty hard to get the lower cover fasteners to fit into the edges of the wheel wells. It helps to turn your wheels to the left, so they are out of the way when you do the right front. Turn your wheels the other way to do the left front side.

Let us know it you need more info!
Good luck with the installation,
See ya soon!

[SixPac]

Re: Bra installation

Y'all don't throw these bras away. Instead, just take them to Flora-Bama in Florida and hang them from the rafters.

Oops, wrong type of bra.

[PaulD]

Re: Bra installation

The first time is always the toughest. I have had 2 Ford bras and both tore slightly in the middle of mesh over the grill the first time I installed them. Not bad but I knew they were there. I always have trouble with the clips that are at the bottom of the wheel well area. For some reason, they do not like to clip on like the others even when I have them pulled far enough to clip. Must have them in "just the right position" to get them to clip on.

[birdfan]

Re: Bra installation

I have put mine on and off a few times and, while it does take some strength and finess, practice makes it easier. There are three pieces of advice I have.
1) make sure you can put it in a place to warm up so it will stretch easier. I just put the car in the sun and lay it on the hood for a little while. The bra is black so it doesn't take long to heat up.
2) have a helper if you can. At least when you are trying to put the long bottom piece on. It keeps it from falling on the ground and getting grit on it (and potentially behind it).
3) As already mentioned, putting on the wheel well clips is probably the hardest, especially the lower ones. I loosen the very small screws holding on the plastic inner wheel well liner to the fender so that there is more room for the clip to slide on to the lip of the fender. Only loosen the screws just enough for some extra room, not enough to completely disconnect the liner. Them tighten them up a little when the clip is on. Reverse to remove the bra. Be careful not to overtighten the screws, you don't want to strip them out of the plastic.

[RQTBIRD]

Re: Bra installation

I hope it warms up enough this week so I can get mine on. It's been awhile now since I have installed it and forgot how hard it can be. If I remember correctly I cut out around the licence plate which made it a little easier as you didn't have stretch as much.

[aztomic]

Re: Bra installation

I've know some ladies who once they get them on, can't (won't) take them off...and then there are the others who'd never have one, no matter what!



Oh, wait, my wife just straightened me out on this thread...never mind.

[SugarBabe]

Re: Bra installation

Vickie,

Sorry to hear of your problem. You'll probably bust some fingernails putting the front end cover on.

Yes, use steel S-hooks to attach the portion of the front end cover (ie. bra) that fits over the nose of the T-Bird hood. Our plastic hooks broke the first time I placed the bra on the hood. The S-hooks go into the little tiny slots way back under the hood, not the big slots. The S-hooks attach better anyway, IMHO.

If you haven't had the front end cover on for a while, it will be tough to get it to fit on the front of the T-Bird. If you haven't had it on ever, it will be even tougher. The bra needs to stretch out a little. Put it in the sun to warm up before installation.

If you ripped the mesh over the grille opening, you can still attach the bra, but it won't provide as much protection. You may have some flapping of the material around the mesh grille area. That may not be good thing though.

After our mesh grille panel finally ripped in 2008, I bought some new heavier plastic mesh screen fabric, for window and door screens, at a local hardware store. I took the front end cover (bra) and the new mesh fabric to a local auto upholstery shop. They removed the old mesh fabric and sewed in the new heavier plastic mesh screen. I picked up the repaired front end cover the next day. Perhaps, you have a local automobile upholstery shop that can do the same for you in the next few days, before you leave for Texas?

To install the front end cover, start in the middle by attaching the hook to the point under the hood latch. Then, work you way around to either the right or left side of the car. Don't try to fit it to both sides at the same time.
You will have to pull the cover pretty hard to get the lower cover fasteners to fit into the edges of the wheel wells. It helps to turn your wheels to the left, so they are out of the way when you do the right front. Turn your wheels the other way to do the left front side.

Let us know it you need more info!
Good luck with the installation,
See ya soon!

And a little and seem to help too!!! I stay in the house!!!

[islandtime]

Re: Bra installation

Never have liked bras, think maybe I'll just burn it.

I think you're about 40 years late, Bradford!

[Gobird]

Re: Bra installation

Vickie, Here are the pics of where I attached the straps along with the fender well and one of the way it should look like on the marker lights. Just take your time and pull on the bra and not the straps to get it all lined up. Then attach the straps like in the pics.