Front Frame Braces

[Raven]

For some odd reason, the previous owner of my car (I'm the second owner) removed the front frame braces. Not sure why, but they are not there and from the looks of things, they've been gone a VERY long time.

So, do I absolutely need to reinstall them (assuming I do) and if so, should I upgrade (if available) beyond factory stock and why?

I've owned this car for over 5 years now and never noticed this til today, even with all the maintenance done on the car. Guess it was a case of 'out of sight, out of mind'. I've also put over 5000 miles on it with several runs at the track and noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

In my view, obviously they're needed or Buick wouldn't have put them on there in the first place. But why would anyone arbitrarily remove them?

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[larry33kc]

I don't believe they were factory on our cars, they are something that we add to improve them HTH

 

[Raven]

You know, I wondered about them ever being on there. I did a search before I posted and didn't find anything that conclusively said they were not on there from the factory. I even found a couple of threads where it was mentioned you could find the braces on any Cutlass in a junkyard.

For now, I guess I won't sweat it. I do want to do some suspension work later this year and I'll delve into it all then.

 

[larry33kc]

I believe I have a extra set lying around if interested

 

[87gninpa]

They were not available on any regals from the factory. easiest way to get a pair is to go to the local junkyard and pull them off a monte or cutlass as they did come on most of those. either way, get a set, they definately help with stiffeneing up that frame in the front. i also think the under hood braces help a great deal, but not many people use them.......they are avialable on late 80s bonnevilles

 

[Raven]

Thanks for the replies. It sure had me scratching my head in wonder.

 

[2QUIK6]

The under the hood braces came on other G-bodies but not on TRs. The front frame braces were not on Monte's that I recall, at least on 86 MCSS models that I can recall...its been a long time since I had that car...
Makes you wonder why GM put on those cars, but not the ones that needed them most

 

[87gninpa]

2quick6, nothing really to do with the post, but those are some nice cars you have on your site......especially love the 79 TA, always loved those HUGE 6.6s.....

 

[2QUIK6]

Originally posted by 87gninpa
..especially love the 79 TA, always loved those HUGE 6.6s.....

Thanks, my wife lays claim to that one

 

[Turbo6inKY]

Originally posted by 2QUIK6
The under the hood braces came on other G-bodies but not on TRs. The front frame braces were not on Monte's that I recall, at least on 86 MCSS models that I can recall...its been a long time since I had that car...
Makes you wonder why GM put on those cars, but not the ones that needed them most

The really odd thing is the Pontiac Grand Prix from those years.

From the factory, it had the cross brace, angle braces, and underhood braces, ALL the body bushings (even the "GNX" bushing), AND the back seat had the same angular stamping welded in that the GNX got.

They were the most solid G-bodies you could buy. They were also the lowest selling ones. Go figure.

 

[granitestategn]

I know why.

Originally posted by Turbo6inKY
The really odd thing is the Pontiac Grand Prix from those years.

From the factory, it had the cross brace, angle braces, and underhood braces, ALL the body bushings (even the "GNX" bushing), AND the back seat had the same angular stamping welded in that the GNX got.

They were the most solid G-bodies you could buy. They were also the lowest selling ones. Go figure.

They didn't sell well because they were DOGS! I took an '86 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 for a test drive before I bought my GN. What a slug! I didn't really handle that well either. I liked the looks of it but the dealer wanted way too much for it. It was a "brass hat" deal. Supposedly driven by a Pontiac executive then turned back in. Upon close inspection, it looked like it had some front fender body work. Definitely not worth the $14,500 they were asking. It had about 12,000 miles on it.

As far as the jounce bars and under hood braces, the GN's came with niether.

 

[2QUIK6]

Re: I know why.

Originally posted by granitestategn
They didn't sell well because they were DOGS! I took an '86 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 for a test drive before I bought my GN. What a slug!

Here's fellow board member UNGN's 2+2 at the bottom of the page
http://perfauto.tripod.com/g-bodyhome.htm
It is not a slug by any means got a 502ci and 500 hp in it!

 

[87gninpa]

wow, that is a beautiful car.....love how the engine still looks stock

 

[rgs455]

Have installed all of the braces, front and rear, and it makes a big difference.

My son's first car was an 86 Pontiac 2+2. Yeah, it was a dog but it was a nice looking car and everyone thought it was cool. He drove it for 3 years, had a good time, and got his money back. Now, he drives the GN and all is well!

 

[sshoureas]

Hope you guys can help. A local junkyard has a mid-eighties Grand Prix. What braces should I remove and where are they located ? Can I get all the braces I need from this car or do I need to look for other models/years ? At one point I had seen an illustration here or one of the other turbo buick sites that showed the braces and where they are located though I can't find it anymore ....

Thanks for the help ....

The really odd thing is the Pontiac Grand Prix from those years.

From the factory, it had the cross brace, angle braces, and underhood braces, ALL the body bushings (even the "GNX" bushing), AND the back seat had the same angular stamping welded in that the GNX got.

They were the most solid G-bodies you could buy. They were also the lowest selling ones. Go figure.

 

[viper04]

Anyone in the aftermarket world carry the "under hood braces". Looked but did not see any. Thanks for any input.

 

[turbonut85]

Anyone in the aftermarket world carry the "under hood braces". Looked but did not see any. Thanks for any input.

I got mine from Kirban. Not sure if he still sells them or not...:smile:

 

[novaderrik]

should be easy to make some underhood braces if you can't find any in the junkyard. all they are is some steel tubing with the ends flattened and bolt holes punched thru them.
they might not look "right", but they will get the job done.

 

[granitestategn]

braces

Look under the car where the engine cross member is. There should be two large tubular braces you can put on your Buick. They tie the center of the engine cross member to the end of the frame horns, if I remember correctly. You can probably buy them from some aftermarket guys but the junkyard ones are just as good. I think the GP also had the one brace under the rad support....don't remember.

 

[JamestownGNX]

Braces

Hope you guys can help. A local junkyard has a mid-eighties Grand Prix. What braces should I remove and where are they located ? Can I get all the braces I need from this car or do I need to look for other models/years ? At one point I had seen an illustration here or one of the other turbo buick sites that showed the braces and where they are located though I can't find it anymore ....

Thanks for the help ....

If you can not get the braces you are looking for on that GP and need some for your GN, I have a set of perfect front braces and the mounting bolts, also a long metal brace that goes from the end of one frame horn to the other frame horn and uses the same bolts from the other frame brace. They were on a low mileage GNX that I am turning back to factory original, so that is why the were removed. They are not bent or rusted. If you want them all I could do 50.00 plus shipping. The one brace is pretty big and will need a good size box for shipping. Let me know, Thanks.

In my opinion they do help in the harmony of the entire suspension, though I drove the car with them on and off and really did not feel any difference. Also in looking under the car when the braces are on they do seem a little unsightly. The GN or GNX looks alot better with no braces. Its all up the owner.

I also have a set of used front braces that I took off a 86 or 87 4door Cutlass, they are not mint as they have some surface rust and some minor dings. Oddly enough the car had only 50,000 original miles but was a city driver. If you want those I will give them to you Free, just pay the shipping. Let me know, Thanks.