GSbearcat

Hello - there is a V shaped metal support piece that sits right behind the oil pan. Looks like it bolts to the car in 4 or 5 different places. Mine has a section that is just about rusted all the way through. Trying to understand a) what this piece is called so I can look to replace it and b) see if anyone knows what will happen if it does fail. It's a 99 GS4 with 250k, no other rust to speak of. Appreciate any help, thanks.

GS3KID

its called a front chassis brace, it holds a lot of your suspension together, if your going to replace it might want to see if you can just by an upgraded version like
TRD chassis brace

GSbearcat

Thanks a lot for the response, I'll check it out right away.

GSbearcat

Hope this isn't a dumb question, does a new chassis brace require an alignment?

GS3KID

I believe you do as it holds 2 control arms but i don't know for certain.

iToaster

It's referred to as a "suspension crossmember brace," part number 51403-30030. It doesn't really do too much, as the chassis is stiff enough where the little brace is superfluous in everyday driving. I had it rust completely in half on my previous GS and the difference was imperceptible.

Jackie939

While the OEM bar does very little to stiffen the chassis, it still does so. The amount will probably be unnoticeable to those who have never experienced a true chassis brace.
"as the chassis is stiff enough" False statement

iToaster

It's a conditional sentence; the validity of the statement is dependent on its other half. If you just take part of it, it is no longer valid. The assumption (based on context) is that the original poster will not be in a situation (i.e. on a track) where the slight impact of the chassis brace will be perceptible.

Bhubb18

Whats the TRD like as an upgrade? One for sale near my fairly cheap

Jackie939

Lol..Like i said "those who have never experienced a true chassis brace"

Jackie939

TRD, Toms are both available on Ebay.. The more rare Carbing is gonna be tough to get.. TopSpeed made replicas a few years back..

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

you dont and it doesnt hold 2 control arms

Tom's is the better brace because of the extra brace points

GS3KID

[QUOTE=sakataj;9425817]you dont and it doesnt hold 2 control arms

my bad, I thought everyone considered the Caster arms as control arms as they were also called LC #2.

sakataj

iTrader: (182)

they are control arms BUT the brace itself can be removed and the arms are still fine which is why i said they dont hold the 2 arms. the tom's has 2 extra mounting points to it so IMHO its a better bar, i have had the stock, the TRD, and now the TOM's

Jackie939

Yes, Toms is nice..