Convertible K Brace, Needed?

[94-302-vert]

In a true act of gorilla strength I went to tighten my K-brace as something has been clunking under my feet and this seemed suspect. Well I broke the rear-most 13mm hex bolt on the driver side. I need the car tomorrow so I stopped there and parked it.

Can I jsut remove the brace all together? How much worse will this make the car? Keep in mind that I have a bolt in roll-bar that stiffens the car a lot by itself, and this also seems like the perfect time to do my bolt-in subframe connecotrs (will prob get them welded in later).

Thoughts?

 

[95strokerPSU]

I took mine off last summer and have put about 4000 miles on the car since. No problems.

 

[94-302-vert]

any extra body roll or anything like that... ??

 

[95strokerPSU]

I wouldn't really know....I bought my car while my license was suspended and started tearing it apart before I ever drove it. So I've only ever driven it without the brace.

 

[swingline]

What is it?

 

[95Vert]

No big deal, I never noticed any difference. Just losing weight.

 

[GRGT1994]

I am currently running without mine. I don't notice any excessive slop in the front end.

But then again, I just installed a MM starter box (Bilstein strut/shocks and H&R springs). So that probably counters whatever slop I picked up by losing the X brace, and I can't really say I have an apples to apples comparison.

Anyway, I intend to get mine back in eventually. Ford seemed to have a reason for it, so I guess I want to keep it. I broke one of my bolts too, so I'm just waiting for the time (and motivation) to pop the broken bolt out, tap all the threads, and get it back in.

 

['94ChickStang]

yes, Ford didn't exactly go nuts designing a stiff chassis. i;m sure its best to keep it on and take all you can get.

 

[KenneBell]

I took mine off because once I installed a set of BBK long tubes it wouldn't fit on. Instead I installed a maximum motorsports lower K-member brace. Weighs a lot less and fits better with long tubes.

 

[94-302-vert]

Hmmm, $99 for the MM unit.. you got any pics of it installed???