BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Does anyone know exactly what the huge iron weights are for under the rear chassis near each exhaust pipe. I supose they may be for crash unlocking of doors or something, but otherwise I have no idea? 
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 20th Mar 2005 2:47 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26701
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Likewise, I have no idea!. I Think that they are a form of mass damper, but how they work or what they do, I have'nt got a clue.
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| 20th Mar 2005 5:43 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
 
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I was told by my dealer... and this is apparently what they were told by LR...
...they are in fact connected to flaps that are blown open when the doors are shut ! Apparently the car is so air tight that shutting the doors without these would be very difficult.
When the doors are shut the flaps are forced open by the air and then held shut again by the weights.
Seems to me that this makes sense but then again seems to be overkill engineering wise and very heavy.
If anyone can confirm this rather 'strange but true' explanation I'd be rather pleased as it does seem kinda strange.
-s
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| 20th Mar 2005 7:02 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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yeah saw that just... so am posting my dealers explanation... I await the laughs emanating across the pond 
-s
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| 20th Mar 2005 8:52 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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Apparently the flaps are behind the tail lights and open and close via the air pressure and pendulum weights.
-s
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| 21st Mar 2005 5:24 pm |
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Outrageous
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: New Hampshire, USA
Posts: 44
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How about having someone shut one of the doors while you look underneath to see if the weights move?
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| 21st Mar 2005 5:24 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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and mind your fingers too
-s
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| 21st Mar 2005 5:25 pm |
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Gareth
Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26701
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Are these flaps like the Punka Wallah in "It aint arf hot Mum"
He used to sit there and waft these big flaps on the ceiling to circulate fresh air around the room...............
Ok, I'm showing my age, I'll get me coat
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| 21st Mar 2005 6:27 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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OK, so I had to get the car on the lift and take a look at my weights. They are not connected to anything, so they must be vibration weights. The question is, what for?
Oh, had my first warning light today, the parking brake. It worked so I carried on. When I re started the car, the warning went. Booked into the dealers on Wednesday to check and alter the heating settings also. No heat unless the dials are up to about 28. Possibly set up for Africa or some hot climate.
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| 21st Mar 2005 6:58 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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I now have the accurate answer as to what the weights under the rear of the car are for. They are a part of the 'On Road Dynamics'. This answer came from a friend of mine who is a senior LR Experience instructor. I will let you know more when he can expalin in detail.
I have also learnt a lot about the parking brake, which can be used as an emergency brake. Apparently if used it uses the main brakes and ABS until a speed lower than 3 MPH is reached and they then lock the parking brakes on. He has told me to try it, but I would rather run over to Eastnor and break his first, before I try mine. However, useful to know in an emergency.
Finally, the spare wheel forms part of the crash safety, so leave it on the vehicle.
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| 21st Mar 2005 7:48 pm |
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simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
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Thought my dealer was a bit off with his explanation... kinda made sense but then was also kinda weird too.
I think the manual explains the emergency break... but not checked recently. May have seen this on another forum.
-s
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| 21st Mar 2005 8:29 pm |
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DiscoDuck
Member Since: 23 Jan 2005
Location: West Sussex UK
Posts: 126
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Handbrake no drama when applied at speed - Try it! D4 HSE
Blue
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| 21st Mar 2005 8:44 pm |
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DiscoMad
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 190
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Shame its not 1st April - this one would have been a great weeze !
Thing is, what other rubbish is that dealer telling his customers !
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| 21st Mar 2005 9:06 pm |
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BN
Member Since: 18 Mar 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 6463
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Another thing with the parking brake, is that if you apply it at a reasonable speed apparently it should pull up the vehicle in a almost perfect straight line.
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| 21st Mar 2005 9:20 pm |
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