this black shield thing that hides the bolt.

I lost a bolt when removing the struts and now there is a clanging noise everytime I go over bumps so im gonna remove the back seat area and try to find it im just wondering if i really need to put the shields ( shown above) back on seems like they are pretty useless.

 

Structural integrity.

 

Nissan wouldn't add supports throughout the car if there wasn't a use/purpose for them....

 

took mine off 20000 mi ago and no problems. i wouldnt suggest going road racing/ autocrossing with them off because of the stiffness and integrity they add, but for me for daily driving they havent been missed. its the same as that support in the exhaust tunnel. just to tie things together/stiffen it up. the car wont fall apart without them

 

Post back after you get into an accident. Not every support is there JUST for your daily driving pleasure.

 

i was just going to say that.....

 

as soon as i get t-boned right at the rear axle ill let you know how it goes. wouldnt suggest holding your breath though, its not very often someone gets t-boned, especially specifically at the axle. im not really sure what youre expecting to happen there though. its basically just a frame for distributing the load on the suspension. the difference in a car with it vs a car without it in an accident would be minimal if at all noticeable. more likely to notice it when youre tracking

 

It won't happen to me...

 

its there for a reason...im pretty sure that he was saying that it not being there might CAUSE the accident...but its your car....and your life

 

i sincerely hope it causes an accident so you can be right. until then, my life will be continually in danger and i will lose 2hrs of sleep every night.

edit: im sure it will stop working. its only had 20,000 mi of testing. just like my engine will probly start burning oil soon, even though it hasnt for 90,000 miles.

 

I'm not wishing an accident upon anyone. I just wouldn't be telling people to just go ahead and leave any parts structural parts off the car when you really don't know what will happen.

 

its not like im telling him to cut his control arm in half. i just stated that ive been without for a while and havent had any troubles. in fact, i never told him to take it off. he can take my experience and make his own decisions, hes a big boy

 

Look in the crack closer towards the seat, a magnet will help out alot, i drop mine and found it in a tight spot.

 

I see this thread went well....

 

Sounds like the rebel that took off a part that Nissan put in a car, which has MILLIONS of dollars in R&D invested in has a little sand in his vajayjay......

 

 

Why would you take it out and keep it out anyways??

 

get a pointer with a magnet attatched to it...you know the retractable ones.....TAKE OFF THE BLACK support bracket, FIND THE nut........put the bracket back on.....its simple

 

It's not that difficult of an obstacle to deal with... if you're using the proper tools.....Is it?