Replacing some bracing...idea

[allcarfan]

Now that I am reworking my front end and looking at everything....

Would it be possible to remove the bracing that goes from the frame rails to the 'frame' under the radiator support? It looks like they are held in with some spot welds.

I am thinking of removing them and replacing them with 2 bars (each side) of 3/4" thick round bar stock stainless steel with heim joints on either end. I think it would really clean some things up and look kind of 'trick.'

Does anyone see any problem with doing this? Am I overlooking something?

 

[70vert]

You mean the ones that go diagonal

and triangulate the frame rails to the frame under the radiator? I don't see any reason to use heim joints there - yeah, 'trick', but it seems like a bad idea from a flex standpoint. They would resist flexing of the engine compartment "box" in the horizontal plane but you wouldn't get anything in a vertical plane. Not that the existing bars give you much vertically anyway, but at least it's something.

The only reason heim joints are used in engine compartment bracing anyway is to make it easier to account for the irregularities in 35-40 year old unibodies and aftermarket components in the engine compartment . . . no reason to use them under the car there.

My $.02.

Now that I am reworking my front end and looking at everything....

Would it be possible to remove the bracing that goes from the frame rails to the 'frame' under the radiator support? It looks like they are held in with some spot welds.

I am thinking of removing them and replacing them with 2 bars (each side) of 3/4" thick round bar stock stainless steel with heim joints on either end. I think it would really clean some things up and look kind of 'trick.'

Does anyone see any problem with doing this? Am I overlooking something?

 

[brianj5600]

What he said. I'm not sure anyone would even see them.

 

[allcarfan]

no one will see my chromed tubular a-arms either, but I know they are there