blunto

I have read of a steering box brace that was commonly used on 3rd gen's that theoretically improved steering response but was primarily used to prevent steering box flex. I believe it has also been referred to as a "wonder bar."

Although this seems like it would be a good mod for 4th gen's aswell, especially those interested in autox, I haven't actually run into any 93+ with a "wonderbar" installed.

Is this an issue that was addressed by GM when designing 4th gen's, making an upgraded aftermarket support obsolete, or is it something that just isnt widely recognized?

Trying to prep the '94 Z for some beginner Solo II, and this sounded like an interesting and cheap mod.

Maybe you 3rd gen guys might have some input!

Thanks in advance

Wheelman89

Wheelman89

blunto

Well, I guess that thread was completely jacked...

v7guy

can't say I've ever seen anything of the sort for the fourth gen, not sure what it would be bracing either in all honest, the shaft comes out of the column out of the firewall and then the shaft goes directly to the rack and pinion which is bolted pretty stoutly in the K member, where would this support things at?

blunto

Yeah, after seeing some pics and diagrams, it seems like this is a solely 3rd gen application.

Take a look at the second page of this pdf:

Installation instructions for TDS p/n 200170

"The Steering
Brace performs two functions. First it ties the left and right sides of the frame together under the front of
the car, which maintains the correct geometry of the pitman arm and idler arm during cornering. Second,
the Steering Brace strengthens the chassis and takes stress off of the steering gear box mount. It is
common in ThirdGen F-Bodies for fatigue and stress cracks to form around the steering gear box
mounting location. Installing a Steering Brace will help tighten up the front end and prevent stress cracks
from occurring. GM has recently discontinued their Steering Brace."

I guess it was discontinued for 4th gens because of a different design that doesn't crack.

I think I get it now, just looking for some verification from someone who knows about 4th gen steering assembly, and I think I got it!

Thanks

dnovotny

I installed aftermarket wonder bars on the two 3rd gens I've owned. Comparing STB to wonder bar; 2 vs. 5 on scale of 1-5.

I haven't spent much time (yet!) under the front of my 4th gen. But looking at some photos off the web, it looks like there's room to fit in something similar. It would be bolted in the same way underneath the sway bar bushing mounts. Maybe I should have one fabbed up at the shop that's putting in my custom roll-bar. But they've taken so long my patience is running thin. Nevertheless, your idea is a good one to improve torsional rigidity up front, I just don't know if you'll feel an improvement because the front subframe was redesigned for the 4th gens.

85TransAm406

the wonderbar was designed to brace the frame around the steering box to improve response, as the frame would flex in this area while turning. 4th gens use a rack and pinion unit mounted to the k-member, so a brace for this area is unneeded, a STB would suffice to stiffen up the front.

dnovotny

STB on my 4th gen: 0 on a scale of 1-5. No difference that I could feel, but it dresses up the engine bay nicely. Its true 4th gens use rack and pinion which is attached to the K-member. Reinforcing the frame rails with a cross-member about 6" farther forward, I don't think we can answer one way or another what that will do unless someone tries it out.

blunto

Sounds good to me