Anybody driving without the "Stiffener Plate"?
 

I'm taking my time replacing the front diff fluid and chasing down an oil leak, so I removed the "front stiffener plate" (I would call it a skid plate myself, but what do I know?).

Anyway, there is a sticker on the subframe beneath the plate that says "do not operate vehicle without the stiffener plate".

Has anybody removed the plate and driven without it? I have a hard time believing that an 1/8" piece of stamped aluminum provides much in the way of "stiffening". That subframe is beefy enough!

BTW, I put the 4 bolts that hold down the sway bar bushing back in. No duh.

Your effin crazy man! If there is a warning written about the danger of removing something.......Why Would You. I don't think u should be working on your X. You might break it.

I've seen techs remove it for inspection and test drive the vehicle for a drivability complaint before reinstalling it and not have a problem putting it back on, and I've seen the bolt holed not want to line up after driving without it before. Not sure if either or both instances were E53 ass many models have similar plates. It has do do with the direction of the forces the lower control arms put on the subframe while driving.

Hey Justin, I removed the "do not remove this tag" tag on my mattress! (I know, I'm a rebel ;))

I seen people driving with their brain disconneted before .

Weasel,lol. What did I say!?
The lower arms must create a huge amount of pressure on either side.
Interesting how mechanics would search for faults with that plate off. The x is one heavy piece of machinery. Time to check my faults

The tech in question didn't do it on purpose. I believe he had it off to check the oil leaks, but either forgot or just didn't care to put it back on to test drive for a drivability complaint... his career didn't last long honestly, he was a repeat offender of stupid mistakes.

Thanks for the info, Weasel. The reason to drive without it is to more easily troubleshoot where an oil leak is coming from.

I'm pretty sure that the subframe is fully boxed (but I will check that again). I don't see how the holes wouldn't line up.

I'm going to get some pics and post them in a different thread about the oil leak(s).

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Cut out a piece of cardboard and place it ontop of the plate driver it around and to see where the oil is dripping from.. that should give you and general area to look at..
But I bet it's the timing chain cover gaskets.. or/and the VANOS solinoid seals..

Well, I drove in to work without the plate today. It's hard to tell if I feel a difference in the steering or ride without it. Unfortunately, I didn't really drive it at all this weekend, I drove wifey's van, so my "calibration" is off to begin with, if you know what I mean.

On a positive note, there are no oil spots on the garage floor, perhaps the leak was OSV related. Do the leaks due to OSV failure generally resolve themselves? Or is this some miracle? ;)

I have had mine off for the last 6 months because I was planning on changing the oil filter housing gasket for the last 6 months.......I am lazy & busy. Any ways I changed it last weekend and re-installed the skid plate. No issues with putting the plate on what so ever.