What Are Those Diagonal Braces Under the Hood of the '68?

[Bentley]

You know those two braces that go from the inner fenders back to the firewall? Mine are missing. What purpose do they serve? Are they important? Also, what are they called?

Thanks.

[Dave Shepherd]

They reduce cowl and body twist/flex.

[bcroe]

You know those two braces that go from the inner fenders back to the firewall? Mine are missing.
What purpose do they serve? Are they important? Also, what are they called?   

If you drive like me, those braces will make a real difference in handling.  My 79 Eldo NEEDS
its 6 braces, 4 above the engine & 2 below.  Bruce Roe

[cadillactim]

They were not used on convertibles.  Don't know why, but if you notice the convertibles have plugs in the bolt holes in the fenders.  Even the factory books say convertibles did not have them.

Tim

[TJ Hopland]

Was the lack of braces on the converts due to extra bracing added in other places?

[cadillacmike68]

They were not used on convertibles.  Don't know why, but if you notice the convertibles have plugs in the bolt holes in the fenders.  Even the factory books say convertibles did not have them.

Tim

That might be true, but it is also absolutely crazy. The convertibles more than any other body need them. Mine didn't have them, and had at least 2 of the 4 fender bolt holes plugged. But the holes on the firewall had the threaded inserts there. I added a set.

Further, if you have a car in this era with Auto Level Control you need the braces / struts because that's where the compressor mounts to!

[DeVille68]

... Mine didn't have them, and had at least 2 of the 4 fender bolt holes plugged. But the holes on the firewall had the threaded inserts there. I added a set.

I just received a pair from USA Parts Supply, because my 1968 DeVille Convertible also has no braces. Plan to install these in a few days.

What color are yours? gloss or matt black?

Did you feel any difference? More stable? More rigid?

[Gene Beaird]

That might be true, but it is also absolutely crazy. The convertibles more than any other body need them. Mine didn't have them, and had at least 2 of the 4 fender bolt holes plugged. But the holes on the firewall had the threaded inserts there. I added a set.

Further, if you have a car in this era with Auto Level Control you need the braces / struts because that's where the compressor mounts to!

The lack of braces may reduce cowl shake. It's already pretty bad, but if you tied the front end sheet metal to the firewall, I bet it was notably worse.

[cadillacmike68]

I just received a pair from USA Parts Supply, because my 1968 DeVille Convertible also has no braces. Plan to install these in a few days.

What color are yours? gloss or matt black?

Did you feel any difference? More stable? More rigid?

Nicolas,  mine were in-between a semi gloss / satin. but not flat / matte.

To tell you the truth, there were so many driveline issues with mine before the overhaul, I can't say what the struts did good or bad. And I haven't driven it  for 9 months, so i can't give a good answer.

[Bentley]

Thank you for all of your input. Mine is a convertible, so that explains why the braces are not there.

[Rob Troxel]

In addition to the firewall braces, Sometimes the diagonal  x braces in front of the radiator go missing too.  Such was the case with my 68 Eldorado.  I always wondered why the front re chromed bumper would shake at idle.  With help from David Smith's pictures of his Eldo, I was able to determine what was missing and secure them from a junk yard.  That sure tightened things up on the front.  No more shake at idle!

[DeVille68]

Nicolas,  mine were in-between a semi gloss / satin. but not flat / matte.

To tell you the truth, there were so many driveline issues with mine before the overhaul, I can't say what the struts did good or bad. And I haven't driven it  for 9 months, so i can't give a good answer.

Hey Mike,
Thank you for the paint info. I think I put some POR-15 on it and then some semi gloss black.

Has anyone else any experience with and without these braces?

Thanks a lot
Nicolas