Cross Member Brace
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 1,843
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
Cross Member Brace
I have a 86 convertable and it has a cross brace under the car going from fron to rear on both side. At least 4 or 5 times a year the car bottems out on a speed bump (or something like that) and bends the brace. The issue is that when it bends it touched the exaust and I get a loud rattle. I then have to take the cross brace off and bend it back
.
I know the reason it is there is to give additional "support" to the frame but I realy can't believe it does much...it seems fo flimsy...
Does any one know if that really needs to stay on the car or can i remove it?
.I know the reason it is there is to give additional "support" to the frame but I realy can't believe it does much...it seems fo flimsy...
Does any one know if that really needs to stay on the car or can i remove it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Take it off,,,,,, then fix it so it won't bend any more. I have an '85 coupe I put an x brace on and the car is lowered so I can relate to what you're going through. Get yourself some flat stock about 1/8 in. thick from a factory or fabricating shop. I got mine from a local factory and they even sheared it to the sizes I requested. Measure the width and the different lengths you will need to completely box the entire x brace, leaving gaps at the x and at the spot where the brace bolts to the floorboard. Once the brace is completely boxed it will no longer bend, it will just slide across the speed bumps or whatever. Mine has been boxed now for 3 years and I have never had to do a thing to it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,204
Likes: 4
From: Midland Georgia
St. Jude Donor '06
Yes, keep it.
I have a 86 convertable and it has a cross brace under the car going from fron to rear on both side. At least 4 or 5 times a year the car bottems out on a speed bump (or something like that) and bends the brace. The issue is that when it bends it touched the exaust and I get a loud rattle. I then have to take the cross brace off and bend it back .
I know the reason it is there is to give additional "support" to the frame but I realy can't believe it does much...it seems fo flimsy...
Does any one know if that really needs to stay on the car or can i remove it?
.I know the reason it is there is to give additional "support" to the frame but I realy can't believe it does much...it seems fo flimsy...
Does any one know if that really needs to stay on the car or can i remove it?
Post #2 sounds reasonable.... go for it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 1,843
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
thanks for the input. I think I will look at boxing it in. it sounds easy and straight forward
The car has no major modifications, it has not been lowered. I live in New england and the streets a lot of frost heaves....
The car has no major modifications, it has not been lowered. I live in New england and the streets a lot of frost heaves....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Take it off,,,,,, then fix it so it won't bend any more. I have an '85 coupe I put an x brace on and the car is lowered so I can relate to what you're going through. Get yourself some flat stock about 1/8 in. thick from a factory or fabricating shop. I got mine from a local factory and they even sheared it to the sizes I requested. Measure the width and the different lengths you will need to completely box the entire x brace, leaving gaps at the x and at the spot where the brace bolts to the floorboard. Once the brace is completely boxed it will no longer bend, it will just slide across the speed bumps or whatever. Mine has been boxed now for 3 years and I have never had to do a thing to it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
86 PACER, I posted pics on this a while back while the brace was out, do a search, I will too, maybe one of us will find it and re-post it here. Cost will depend on the material source, I have a friend who's plant manager at a local plant so he helped me out. I do all my own welding.
I covered the search and came up empty handed, maybe someone else still has the pics or can find the post.
Last edited by Midnight 85; Jun 21, 2007 at 11:07 PM. Reason: added info
