1970s Body stiffener ?

[Tpicks55]

75 Eldorado Convertible,  While changing my rear shocks a rod which attaches to top of shocks crisscrosses to other side of body forming an X.  Snapped at the body attachment. Looks like it has a ball that sits in to a cup or something broke off from body side.  What do I do now??  Tony

[James Landi]

I've had a similar experience with my 72 Eldorado convertible with  78,000k miles... the entire shock mount that attaches to the frame--- the weld broke leaving the top of the rear shock detached.  Heavy car, constant stress at the weld, the weld somewhat compromised with rust, and then separation.  The fuel tank had to be removed, and the frame repair specialist drilled a couple of bolt holes for fasteners as well as re-welding the broken shock mount to the frame.  We inspected the other side, and decided to leave it alone.  He also found serious cracks in the front where the tie rods connect to the front of the frame.  May be a former owner abused the car?  In any case, one of those disappointments, unexpected, expensive, but had to be repaired... can't recall the price as it was many years ago---

[TJ Hopland]

Those bars may have been a 75 only thing?   I remember removing them on my 75.  Don't remember why, I assume they were in the way of some other repair and I never got around to re installing them.  The car was a semi daily driver so it got some miles on it and I don't remember noticing any issues.

[_Cap_]

My car has those same things, I just presumed they were some kind of spring to resist any flexing in the body or frame. But in hine sight that doesn't seem right
The same bars are on my 76 as well I believe

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Any pictures of the bars that you are referring to?

This enquiring mind likes to learn new things.

Thanks,

Bruce.

[_Cap_]

I retract my statement, after checking this morning, my 76' does not have those "body stiffeners", i know my 75' does, but i guess it was just a one year only thing unless it goes back to 74'

[TJ Hopland]

I'm thinking this was a 75 Eldo only thing.  I either asked the question years ago and got answers or found a thread that had some information on the subject.  I don't remember the details but it seems like someone did know the theory behind it and why they only did it for one year.  That could be why I left mine off.  I'm guessing they were in the way somehow for changing the springs or shocks so I had to disconnect them to do that work and then maybe asked what they were and someone said don't bother putting them back or maybe like in this case there was some damage on mine too?   I just don't remember the details anymore.