Pardon guys, but I don't agree with "that bracket does absolutely nothing" as it seems to be a support for the main steering column harness/cubby. I had about three or four of those also, but made them out of aluminum and since have been just as sturdy as the steel units. I can post pictures later if y'all need to have a look.
A steering column will tend to be leverage weight and needs support of course. Though in all realness, these mid term B-bodies and their parts are strange to me compared to early B's