Good answer. I agree wholeheartedly. Some of the cross car bars I see are an inch away from the drivers knees,, and I shudder to think of the damage a knee could take.

In my car the cross car tube is under the dash, way up there and I needed to shoot it thru a long heater duct, so I did. Removed at least 3 oz of duct plastic, but the duct still functions well and the windsheild remains clear in rain, so it was a good compromise. My car predates yours and has no really significant structure like yours.