Factory traction bars

[cwmcobra]

Looking for a set of the "factory traction bars" or rear control arm braces.  I know they are repopped, but thought I would try here first.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Brian]

I have a set from a 68 up car I will part with.  They are about 2" longer, but are simple to cut shorter and re-drill the hole in the end.  Once modified, they fit better and give more muffler clearance than the welded ones that originally were made for the 64-67.  I have a set of these on both my 65 and 64 and put a set on the 65 4-dr that Jim Moses now has.  Let me know if you are interested. 

[gs spoken here]

Not sure GS every used "factory traction bar" GS cars had relocated rear axel bumper brackets. You could box the rear control arms, kits for this are about $35.00 and add a rear sway bar off later GS. From what I remember Rear control arm braces were not used until 68 on GS. Pontiac GTO used them in 67. 68/72 braces are not a direct fit, but you can cut 2' off the straight end and re-drill the hole and use them on 65/7. I did this on my 66. Used 68/72 bars go for about $50.00, new repro are slightly more. Repro 65/67 are about $100.00 from Ames Pontiac. You could also add Poly pushing to some or all the rear control arm bushing. At least put good quality new rubber one's. Be careful some on the rear control arm bushing have a very thin metal jacket, OEM were thicker. Hope this helps.

[cwmcobra]

Thanks guys.  Let me be sure that I understand.  My car has boxed rear lower control arms with a rear sway bar.  I haven't visualized how/where the braces are mounted and will look into that.  Want to be sure that this would be a "factory item". 

Does anyone know if these were indeed installed from the factory on 65 4-speeds?  That's what The Parts Place describes for their repops.

Chuck

[wheelz]

Brian...WHICH END of the Support Bars did you cut off to make this work on your 65 applications??   Both ends? or just the UPPER? or LOWER?? 

Wheelz, Tampa Bay

[WkillGS]

Right, GTO's started getting them in the early years. The story I heard were 4 speed cars were coming in for warranty work for cracked welds on the rear crossmember. The braces reinforce the crossmember and upper control arm mounts.

Nice to know the later ones can be modified to fit.

The reproductions are made by Kirban Performance and sold through other vendors. They don't match the originals but work the same.

Aftermarket ones are offered by Edelbrock (now QA1), UMI, Hotchkiss, and other suspension companies.

[WkillGS]

Here are the 'repo's' installed on my '66.
Exhaust system is the repo Gardner system. Other systems may have clearance issues.

[cwmcobra]

Thanks Walt.  A picture is worth.....you know the rest.  I've contacted Dan and he says his factory 4-speed did not have these.  So I guess I don't need them to be "factory correct".  Muffler clearance is a new issue.  It looks like they could be added later......and I'm not goin' racin'.  More thought required!

Chuck

[WkillGS]

Not exactly original, but they are a good idea.
Under heavy acceleration, the upper control arms pull on the crossmember, making it flex. The braces transfer the force to the lower mounts and frame.

[wheelz]

I have 2 sets of 68-72 support bars or whatever you wanna callum.  They appear a little more SLIMMER then the aftermarket style so I would think, muffler clearances should NOT be a concern?

Thots?   Brian?   Bueller?  Bueller?

Wheelz, Tampa Bay

[Mark Ascher]

Chuck,

My 4 speed car did not have those. Car is looking good!

Mark

[cwmcobra]

There we go.  Thanks Mark.  I think I'll table this for now.

Thanks again for all the responses and shared knowledge.  If I decide to do this later, I like Brian's approach.  I don't like the aftermarket stuff.

 

Chuck

[gs spoken here]

Pictures of the 68/72 control braces installed on my 66 GS. I cut 2"off the cross member end.

[Brian]

Here is a shot of the ones on my 65GS before I put the body on the frame.  These are the 68 and up version with the crossmember end shortened and a new hole drilled.  Note in the picture that I also have boxed lower control arms and a sway bar on my car--not factory for a 65GS, but factory GM parts from another make of A-body.  Makes a huge difference in handling!