I've have an ongoing rattling problem with my exhaust pipe and the tunnel brace. It used to rattle at low speeds, but I took it off..bent it some... put some washers b/w the brace and chassis which eliminate the problem.

Now, I notice it rattles around 60mph...no faster or slower...something about the engine RPMs and gear at that speed, but that's the only spot it occurs. Also, it occurs only when I'm decelerating.

So, do I need to keep the tunnel brace? I know it strengthens the floorpan, but do any of you ride without it?

If required, I'll go back down and my bend it some more or add more washers.

 

Some people drive without them altogether, I did there for awhile as well until I got the Spohn crossmember mounted torque arm installed in its place. I would just do the washer method, there is very little labor involved in dropping the brace, installing the washers, and buttoning it back up.

 

I've been driving w/out one for a couple of years now.

 

An exhaust shop can reposition your exhaust to provide more clearance.

 

Ive been driving without one for a couple years now also .
No issues whatsoever

 

I'm another one thats had it off for several years, chunked it in the trash the first time I ever dropped the tranny and never put it back on.

 

I consittered putting it back on but noticed it bent when I stepped on it. If it's that weak, what can it possibly be bracing???

 

It's designed for shear not bending. And it's designed for use when bolted in not laying on the floor.

 

Problem is, it's not flat and poorly reinforced. Any force that is strong enough to spread the tunnel appart wouldn't have any problem bending that brace as well.

Re'

 

There are a lot of flat panel on your car that can be easily bent by pushing on them! Does this mean they aren't any good and don't help support the body?? I'm not saying this is a critical panel but it does help support the body in this area and help reduce flexing.

 

i had that problem... i just pulled it off and then bent the part that was hitting a little with some vice grips.. then i put it back on and horray done

 

Thanks for the replies...yeah, it's pretty easy to tweak this part, so probably will do that again. I've taken it on and off to replace the catback, different y-pipes (California smog *****...don't ask). Seems like every time I take it off and re-install it, I have to go through the banging/washers routine again.

Just wondering if I ever got pissed at it and chucked it over a cliff..I could drive without it. Sounds like some of you guys have done this already..that's cool.

At least I didn't hear any comments from someone that drove without it and had actually had a bad incident. I'm just under the assumption (right or wrong) that GM designed this part for a reason.

 

I'm sure you're right, there was probably a good amount of cash spent on developing and testing just that one simple little brace, and it might serve some purpose in an accident situation, but that didn't stop me from removing the front and rear bumper supports or the SRS either , we're all gonna die sometime.

 

I don't by into the tunnel flex theory. Any tunnel rigidity increased from this brace would still be held by the far more structurally sound trans cross member. I've had unibody cars from GM and Ford and have extensively worked on 1st, 2nd gen f-bods, and they don't have this brace. I also have talked to some guys that have 4th gens as track cars. If they could get rid of it to drop a pound, then it is off.

 

even tho its called a tunnel brace, i dont think its ment to be a brace, i believe its used to keep the driveshaft from falling, i use mine to help support my exhaust. i have it padded with a heavyt duty rubber

aftermarket would be the way to go. they make some nice driveshaft loops.