Author Topic: What _is_ this thing? => Pipe in driver's side front of engine bay (Read 7507 times)

Chemist · « **on:** June 14, 2009, 10:31:55 PM »

I don't _need_ this information, I just really want it.

What is this pipe in the picture below? It is in the front of the engine bay, but _only_ on the driver's side. It is flattened at both ends on bolted to the frame. I hope to use it for my own devices (

), but I want to know what Pontiac thinks it's for.

Thanks!

snaponbob · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2009, 10:49:43 PM »

To hell with the pipe. THAT'S simple ---- a lot of the stuff in front of the engine compartment hangs on those. What's the flat aluminum bar all about?

Chemist · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2009, 11:14:03 PM »

Nope, there is NOTHING connected to the pipe. It's attached to the frame on each (flattened) end by two studs (on the frame) and nuts. It runs between the left front wheel liner and the front air dam, but there is nothing attached to it on _my_ car.

That flat aluminum bar is part of a $100 bracket made to offset the front license plate.

( http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/857181-post15.html )

I'm hoping to use that pipe to attach my $35 bracket to offset the front license plate.

1KULSOL · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2009, 11:51:46 PM »

Quote from: Chemist on June 14, 2009, 11:14:03 PM

Nope, there is NOTHING connected to the pipe. It's attached to the frame on each (flattened) end by two studs (on the frame) and nuts. It runs between the left front wheel liner and the front air dam, but there is nothing attached to it on _my_ car.

That flat aluminum bar is part of a $100 bracket made to offset the front license plate.

( http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/857181-post15.html )

I'm hoping to use that pipe to attach my $35 bracket to offset the front license plate.

Who needs a front license plate ????????

Excelsior · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:21:46 AM »

Isn't that to cool your brakes?

Critterman · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:09:15 AM »

I can't see the picture at work, but it sounds like your keneveling pin

snaponbob · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:03:07 PM »

Quote from: Excelsior on June 15, 2009, 12:21:46 AM

Isn't that to cool your brakes?

No. Those stupid engineering wastes of time and money are plastic tubes that dumped into the front wheel wells from the lights in the lower corners of the bumper.

Chemist · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:13:38 PM »

I _really_ appreciate all of the input.

I hope to use it for _my_ purpose, regardless of GM's.

BTW, 1KULSOL, I have no intent on giving the state gubmint _any_ more of my $$ than I have to.

1KULSOL · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:27:59 PM »

Quote from: Chemist on June 15, 2009, 12:13:38 PM

I _really_ appreciate all of the input.

BTW, 1KULSOL, I have no intent on giving the state gubmint _any_ more of my $$ than I have to.

Chemist - since I now reside in Louisiana I no longer "officially" require a front license plate

..... but I do have to keep checking to make sure that I have no more "XM Brake" problems

Fred · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:29:06 PM »

I have to agree with my brudder on giving the state gubmint more money.

Fred · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:30:12 PM »

Who'd thunk satellite radio was tied to the brakes. Wouldn't have believed it I'fn I hadn't seen it first hand.

Jackknife · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2009, 01:12:03 PM »

Chemist...I assume you want to attach the aluminum bar to the pipe and cut it off after the bolt(s).

This would make the "hard-attached" bar the first point of contact at a low curb...be careful!

Chemist · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2009, 03:07:13 PM »

I appreciate the warning. It's something that caused me to change my design more than once.

I'm actually going to run the bracket parallel to the plane of the pipe, keeping the low point of my bracket at the low point of the pipe. I should know tonight if my design is workable.

Critterman · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:44:42 PM »

Okay serious answer as I can now see the picture. Got as far under my car as I could (not an easy job now) It seems to be attached to the front facia (a support perhaps) and to the upright frame rail at the back. And judging from mine it hit's the ground once in a while if the car is lowered

Chemist · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:57:32 PM »

Yes, mine is scratched a bit as well.

It bolts to the frame in two places on mine. I am getting more convinced that is more guard than brace, but what do I know?

rich71 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2009, 09:12:14 AM »

the service manual calls it a frame brace. it is horseshoe in shape and the ends bolt behind and in front of the very front x member. Can't see how a horsehoe shaped tube can be rigid or brace anything if it is only connected at the ends. it doesn't appear to do much of anything.

Chemist · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2009, 10:57:06 AM »

Thanks, rich71. I was hoping someone with a service manual would chime in.

I'm holding off on final design of my bracket until after Nationals, so I hope to talk to others there about this.

snaponbob · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2009, 06:33:57 PM »

Quote from: rich71 on June 16, 2009, 09:12:14 AM

the service manual calls it a frame brace. it is horseshoe in shape and the ends bolt behind and in front of the very front x member. Can't see how a horsehoe shaped tube can be rigid or brace anything if it is only connected at the ends. it doesn't appear to do much of anything.

Chemist is right on target. On motorcycles they call these things "crash bars" or more politely "case savers". If you take a good look at them (as I have just done since I am changing front springs and sway bar) you'll see how they are mounted. If you REALLY take a look around under the car these things could be very critical in keeping important stuff (steering rack and other goodies) from being damaged in a severe bottoming event. Sort of like skid bars (as opposed to skid PLATES on off road vehicles). Ummmm .............. mine have some paint rubbed off of them !!!!!!!

Ben L · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2009, 06:53:06 PM »

I hope that's what's making the noises I hear under the car when traversing speed bumps and exiting parking garage ramps.

Still have brakes, don't smell any fuel yet, so hopefully the lines are still un-nicked.

Not crazy about where they are routed though, on a lowered car.

snaponbob · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2009, 08:31:33 PM »

Quote from: Ben L on June 16, 2009, 06:53:06 PM

I hope that's what's making the noises I hear under the car when traversing speed bumps and exiting parking garage ramps.

Not crazy about where they are routed though, on a lowered car.

Depends on if you hear the noises BEFORE or AFTER the front wheels pass over the speed bump.

As for there location, it is even BETTER on a lowered car !!! Think about this ............. do you want the bars hitting the pavement FIRST or something else hitting the pavement? I vote for the bars.

Ben L · « **Reply #20 on:** June 17, 2009, 03:59:37 AM »

No, I meant I was not crazy about where the fuel & brake lines are routed. I hope its the bar that I hear lightly scraping.

snaponbob · « **Reply #21 on:** June 17, 2009, 07:55:17 AM »

Quote from: Ben L on June 17, 2009, 03:59:37 AM

No, I meant I was not crazy about where the fuel & brake lines are routed. I hope its the bar that I hear lightly scraping.

So far, what has taken the most abuse under my car is the flex coupling in the exhaust system.

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Author Topic: What _is_ this thing? => Pipe in driver's side front of engine bay (Read 7507 times)

Ben L

Ben L