Noob question: Is the black metal pass through frame and brackets that sit above the strut towers needed for structural integrity? I find the things annoying to work around, especially when running new cabling or installing suspension..

 

Manufacturers don't design and install relatively complex stampings just because they want to. If they didn't serve a purpose they definitely wouldn't be there.


They will literally argue for weeks about the reasoning behind an added 2 cents in manufacturing costs.

 

Im pretty sure that it serves as some form of a "rear strut tower brace". Not literally, of course, but with the same intention of making the car more rigid during cornering. I agree that it definitely sucks to work around but I would leave it in, if you really think about it there isnt really any bracing in the rear at all besides that, other than the unibody itself. As slvr2kse5 said, its there for a reason. Especially when you consider that it is specific to the car and cannot be used with the rest of Nissan's lineup - manufactures LOVE keeping logistics simple by having parts that can be used for multiple applications. I would consider any part that is application specific to be important, especially coming from Nissan's cost cutting era. If you absolutely cant stand it, I would suggest replacing it with a RSTB.

 

I would say it is for the trunk. if you had something heavy in there and you got hit from the front. it would rip the seat right down and probably kill someone.

i have taken it out for YEARs on a 96 max and couldn't tell the difference , but i'am sure it adds some rigidly also.

 

Thanks again everyone. I reinstalled it.

 

Actually i wasn't going to admit it,but i had taken it out for weight reduction.

And i drag race the car. I had my tools in the trunk that i took to the track. Anyways ,i got in a front end accident, at over 40 MPH. The tool box ripped right through the back seats,and hit the back of my seat. If i had someone in the back seat ,it would have been bad.