Member Since: 15 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1462
Rusty tow socket area
hi,
I was checking the tow sockets as was thinking of swapping them for a 13 pin, still undecided on that one. My plan was to have the 13 pin and an Anderson socket for "stuff".
Anyway when I opened the cover the i was confronted with the following
I've not had the bumper off yet but had a quick look underneath and the rest seems to be OK.
So, do I just clean it up remove the rust treat it and paint it. I coukd have a go at welding in some plates, but I've only got an arc welder and I'm not exactly good with it, to say the least. I could just bokt some bits in for cosmetic purposes.
However, I will be towing at some point hopefully, and want to make sure its safe. I wouldn't have thought that area adds anything to the structural integrity of the cross member, but as my knowledge of structural engineering is construction related, I thought I'd see when you guys think.
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4th Jun 2020 3:13 pm
JackNorris
Member Since: 06 Jul 2012
Location: Beds/Bucks Border
Posts: 1877
Looks like that been used to launch boats.
The area around the main recovery hook looks pretty bad.
I think i would be tempted by a replacement but there are many on here who know more than me.MY2023 Discovery 5 R-Dynamic 3.0
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4th Jun 2020 3:17 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 15 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1462
That was my initial thought but the rest if the cross member looks in good condition with only a little bit of superficial surface rust from what I can see.
Just checking how much work it is to get the bumper off for a proper look.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
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4th Jun 2020 3:19 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
I do not think it is boat launches that causes that, it is simply the fact thw area is a massive vortex for all the worst the weather can throw at it, the same as the back of quare eneded cars always end up filthy.
4th Jun 2020 4:26 pm
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
pwheeldon wrote:
That was my initial thought but the rest if the cross member looks in good condition with only a little bit of superficial surface rust from what I can see.
Just checking how much work it is to get the bumper off for a proper look.
How solid is the recovery eye.
Also your tow-bar is fixed into below the affected area.
That makes me feel better that my rear cross member is nowhere near as bad as that though I did have a replacement fitted under the recall. I presume you have had the recall done?
4th Jun 2020 5:30 pm
life - live it
Member Since: 14 Apr 2017
Location: Behind you
Posts: 1022
Mine was similar
Removed rear bumper
Sanded down the cross member
Sprayed on hamerite rust eater
Then under coated if
Then sprayed with bed liner paint
4th Jun 2020 5:43 pm
pwheeldon
Member Since: 15 Jan 2020
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1462
Hi, the eye seems pretty solid and the towbar is fixed to the chassis as well, its not just the removable one.
I'm gonna take the bumoer off and the sockets, have a good look and probably repair it. This may well be my perfect opportunity to get a mig welder. Cost of the welder will be less than paying someone to weld if up. I'd have to get a few practice pieces first!
I think first thing is get it all stripped back and assess the damage.Discovery 4 GS 2009 Auto Stornoway Grey
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4th Jun 2020 6:37 pm
anotherrick
Member Since: 17 Feb 2020
Location: Burnley
Posts: 33
Mines in pretty much the same way, it's on my list of things to do.
Does the recall still apply to older disco 3's
I think it applies to all but I’m sure the tsb is somewhere on here which will state applicable VIN’s
5th Jun 2020 3:06 pm
gareth71
Member Since: 10 Apr 2016
Location: North-east Wales
Posts: 581
anotherrick wrote:
Mines in pretty much the same way, it's on my list of things to do.
Does the recall still apply to older disco 3's
Sadly not. I enquired about this a few weeks ago, having noticed similar surface rust around the towbar socket on mine and wondered whether the check had been carried out on mine, and JLR customer services stopped offering the "owner notified programme" (carefully avoiding the use of the words "safety recall") on 31st December 2018, and if any work is now found to be necessary relating to this problem it'll be chargeable.
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