What's the real name of that brace you can buy for the thirdgens that stiffens up the frame on which the steering box mounts???? I came across it briefly on a thread about strut tower braces, but I can't remember any specifics. It's supposed to keep the frame rail from flexing when you turn the wheels, for a more crisp response. What's the name of it and where can I go to get one for a reasonable price???

 

its called a WONDERBAR i bought mine through tds and its awsome very good price to and lons a great guy

 

is there a web address I could try to look at one?

 

TDS has their link at the top of the page. Spohn, and thunderracing.com, both sell them and their link is at the top as well.

 

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/

 

What it is called is " STEERING BOX SUPPORT". However; people without much knowledge call it AKA "wonder bar" same people that call a limited slip a posi.

 

you calling me slow? lol jk i used wonderbar so he could find it

 

Hey, thanks for the link. How do those mount, though? Do they use existing holes or do you have to drill new ones?

If anyone has pics of one on their car, I'd like to see one if you could post it.

 

they bolt to the the same place the sway bar bushing supports bolt to

 

Correct. For some reason my Spohn one had a mounting hole that was off. A few minutes with the dremel solved that. Pretty much you lossen the end links and unbolt the sway bar bushing and let it hange down. You place the wonderbar right up to the holes and bolt the sway bar back on.

 

here's a pic of my homemade/handmade steering brace

 

ahhh I see....so this would be a logical time to upgrade the endlinks then, since the old ones are going to have to be busted loose anyway. I didn't realize the installation was going to be that easy. I'll just make sure I soak the bolts holding the sway bar brackets up with a bunch of PB Blaster, to ward off Murphy's Law...

I read on the TDS site that these wonderbars actually improve handling better than STB's do. Is that what you guys found, in your opinions? The steering brace is definitely something I am going to do, but I'm wondering if I'd even notice the STB with the steering brace already on there. The STB I'd be going with would be the 3-point design, only.

 

the end links do not need to be removed

 

ahh! The wonderbar! Not to be confused with wonderbra!

Here's mine that I installed.

 

thats a sweet pic man, looks good in red, i got the powdercoated black one

 

It is really not a bad idea. And for as cheap as they are it is added insurance. The stock ones can rot away really easy and you would never know it until you tried to take it out and have it crumble in your hand. It would take maybe 5 exrta minutes of work on top of the wonder bar.

 

actually it'll be another 20 minutes cuz mine are pretty well rotted and are going to have to be cut (I hate New York's climate ), but you're right. Staying with the stock ones is only going to leave me on borrowed time; who knows when they'll snap. I put urethane bushings and grade 8 hardware in the back end's sway bar links, might as well do the same up front.

WWasem, thanks for the pictures.

I think I'm definitely going to order this thing next payday. I'll be going to Sears to pick up my new electric impact wrench, too...so the wonderbar will give me something to do to try out my new toy...

 

The function of the Steering Box Support (AKA wonder bar) and Stuct Tower Brace (STB) are two different things. They both perform two seperate functions.
Simple explainations:
1) SBS ties the front rails together preventing flex from the power steering box. Thats all, It was a quick Gm fix for the bigger tire & wheels. It was standard on IROC's

2) STB helps tie the two shock towers together to prevent lean out or lean in when cornering. This is impoves handling. Note:
most new cars now have this feature.

I will say if your car does not have these, you would be wise to spend the money for them. Both are good options and I have both plus other handling upgrades.

 

I've just put the TDS Steering Brace on sale for $42 (normally $50). Available only in gloss black powder-coat at this special price. Here is a link to the TDS Steering Brace GP.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions