Trunk/rear seat brace
 

I've noticed my rear seat latches rattle when going over speedbumps, etc., anything that causes torsional chassis bending. I've verified it's the latches, as opposed to the rear package tray clicking, by driving with the rear seat down...I still hear the clicking, but not the latch rattle. I can also reduce the latch rattle for a day or two, by unlatching, and relatching the seat with a firm slam.

That said, i've seen the Dare 2 Be Different trunk brace, and the very similar Tom's trunk brace. I don't think the car needs a rear "strut brace", and I don't like that those braces aren't triangulated. That said, has anyone seen a brace that sits right behind the rear seat, to stiffen up the chassis, and maintain the trunk space? preferably in aluminum to keep the weight down? Other solutions to this torsional twist/latch rattle?

I don't follow your reasoning.

Observation: rear seat rattles going over bumps.
Conclusion: chassis flex.

Why couldn't just be the seat moving around in slight loose latches?
It had been said in the GrimmSpeed tower bar thread that there is no point to a trunk brace.

As you go over a speedbump, you hear the latch on one side, then the other, so there is obviously some torsional twist going on. I agree with Grimmspeed, there is no need for a rear strut/shock brace. I want to triangulate the open area where the seat back is, obviously the seat back itself, when fully latched, is helping, but over time the twisting is causing the latches to loosen up.

Open sections like the rear seat "pass thru", have no triangulation, so they are prone to twisting.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/...e6a3b081_b.jpgimage by utekineir, on Flickr
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63...ps8a5a7961.jpg


It works with rear seat in place.

Don't ask me where it came from ask google.

Thanks, found them on facebook.

How much does that weigh? it's very similar to what I've sketched up (different lower mounting points), but it looks heavy. From the facebook page, it appears to be 304 SS. I don't see a price, and their webpage isn't working. I don't see a price either.

Subbed, mine does the same

Looks like the Spencer Fab piece runs $350, and on back order right now.

I need to do some looking, and measuring this weekend, I know enough fabricators, I just need to come up with a design.

offhand no idea on weight, at this point its been on the car 5 or 6 months,

being 304 it isn't the lightest thing in the world, i removed my rear seats and built a storage box within a couple months of installing the brace.

It doesn't impact hauling a set of tires behind the seats.

60-80 additional lbs... What a nice upgrade.

2 thoughts come to mind:
1/ Holy mang!! That Spencer bar looks mighty impressive!!
2/ Looks heavy.

@Model Citizen
What are your thoughts on the installed bar? Have you noticed a difference?

Pretty sure it doesnt weigh half an asian, despite costing as much as a hooker.

To be honest i did all my suspension changes retarded (i.e. In the winter with snow tires on the car). Car went into winter stock left it with coils brace and an sc.

Ive been meaning to set up some neon diagonal strings and a camera to record with and without the brace at autox. But im lazy.

The stings and camera would be interesting.

Unfortunately I contacted Mark Spencer of Spencer Fab today, and he said he wasn't going to be making anymore of these braces.

Doh! I guess I'm 6 years too late.

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