Write-Up: Installing a Front Strut Tower Brace (STB)

See page 24 of this thread. It was thought by some the SLS bar was different and wouldn't work on a Riv for whatever reason.

bigdave wrote:

According to my estimating data base, all Cadillac Sevilles use the same stb for 1994 thru 1997. This would include STS and SLS.

Nope.

97 park ave wrote:

bigdave wrote:

According to my estimating data base, all Cadillac Sevilles use the same stb for 1994 thru 1997. This would include STS and SLS.

Nope.

Heres the thread where we found out the bars are different, the pics of the bar were sent via PM but rick (demonte1997) can vouch that it is a completely different bar. The bar i had was from a 98 SLS.

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t7457-gi-cadillac-stb

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the right bar was from years up to 97. According to wikipedia both the sts and the sls went thru a design change after 97 so that could be why a 98 sls bar would not fit. I don't know that anyone tried a pre-98 sls bar.

Derek wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the right bar was from years up to 97. According to wikipedia both the sts and the sls went thru a design change after 97 so that could be why a 98 sls bar would not fit. I don't know that anyone tried a pre-98 sls bar.

No?
The correct bar is from a 98-99 cadillac seville STS. The bar i got was from a 98 SLS, it wasnt even close to the STS making it the wrong bar. Pre-98 ANY cadillac bar is even further from the STS than the SLS. It has nothing to do with me owning a park avenue either, as i now have an STS bar on my car. I still have the SLS bar in my possesion if you dont believe me...

Not calling you out I just got my years mixed up. Just curious tho was it longer or shorter?

Shorter, by about 4" iirc. The holes didnt exactly seem like they wouldve lined up very good either even if it were long enough. Ill throw a few pics up when i get a chance, actually seeing as how i havent put the rear STS bar i got from bert a few weeks ago i can take a side by side picture with the SLS bar to settle this for future reference.

Wow that's a big difference. I'm not familiar enough with the two cars but I didn't think the sts was THAT much bigger. Comparision pics would be great. If possible take one of the mounting holes side by side too.

I didnt think theyd be ANY different, theyre both sevilles. But the bar even looks considerably different. Ill have pictures by tomorrow, youll see what i mean.

STS bar left, SLS bar right:


STS top, SLS bottom:


STS left, SLS right:

Oh! Very different indeed! Those sls ends might fit the 95/96 easier since they're splayed a bit farther but its waaay too short. Thanks for the comparision.

Derek wrote:

Oh! Very different indeed! Those sls ends might fit the 95/96 easier since they're splayed a bit farther but its waaay too short. Thanks for the comparision.

No, the pre 97s were even more different than that, look at an old bonneville/park ave/caddy/etc. Its WAY further away from the STS than the SLS.
Both bars in the pictures are from a seville, both are also from the 98-99 model years. The only difference in the bars is one is from an STS (the skinnier gloss black one, also the one that fits our cars), and one is from the SLS (the square flat black short one).
The pre 97 bars have straight mounting points, as opposed to how BOTH of these bars' mounting points angle away from the direction of the cross-member, even though only one fits.

Local GM dealer was able to order #25653157, price list $72.45, my cash price $61.75. Came from GM obsolete warehouse. Bruce in WI

Did you take actual delivery yet? Did they have to make phone calls to locate it, or did it show available when they looked it up?

i'm wandering if anybody makes a Riviera specific, Aftermarket model... that's Under 80 bucks... i think i can budget that much.

None Riv-specific, but if you can find one for 98-04 Cadillac Seville STS, it will fit with some modification. Read through this thread to see the different ways to make the STS bar fit.

RivieraParadise wrote:

i'm wandering if anybody makes a Riviera specific, Aftermarket model... that's Under 80 bucks... i think i can budget that much.

Nope. But the Caddy bar is an EASY fit on your 98 with possibly just a few washers added to ensure clearance to the brake fluid res.

1998 Riv wrote:

RivieraParadise wrote:

i'm wandering if anybody makes a Riviera specific, Aftermarket model... that's Under 80 bucks... i think i can budget that much.

Nope. But the Caddy bar is an EASY fit on your 98 with possibly just a few washers added to ensure clearance to the brake fluid res.

And the price should be WELL under your target!

Remember, he's asking about aftermarket. Are there any sub-$80 bars out there made for STS?

AA wrote:

Remember, he's asking about aftermarket. Are there any sub-$80 bars out there made for STS?

Oh. I don't know offhand. I can't imagine it would be difficult to make your own from scratch though, if you think the GM one isn't strong enough. What kind of racing are you doing where the stock STS bar isn't enough?

Order Total: $36.49 shipped.

well, Hello "charlieRobinson" !

my friend, com padre, Buddy o' Mine.......

""Order Total: $36.49 shipped."" ........ AND...... I can order it... where?

so far my searches keep running into a Brick wall... the Cadillac STS Brace would Be Great !

i don't suppose it would be possible to Modify the Brake Fluid Reservoir (i know, Highly Unlikely ) or if there is a possible Substitution for a similar GM unit ?.... i know its unlikely, but.......
on second thought it would likely be a serious liability for a layman to modify that part of the Braking system... (yeah, i know pretty dumb... but i might have an aneurysm )

RivieraParadise wrote:

well, Hello "charlieRobinson" !

my friend, com padre, Buddy o' Mine.......

""Order Total: $36.49 shipped."" ........ AND...... I can order it... where?

so far my searches keep running into a Brick wall... the Cadillac STS Brace would Be Great !

ordered mine from shopgmparts.com
Items Total: $26.54
Shipping: $9.95
Handling Fee: $0.00
Order Total: $36.49

RivieraParadise wrote:

""Order Total: $36.49 shipped."" ........ AND...... I can order it... where?
!

gm part# 25653157 All you have to do at bare minimum is put that part number into Google. No head butting involved