Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Side protection tubes.
For those of you that regularly pull things apart on your cars, this will be nothing new you'll prob go but this is for the DIY muppets like myself.
I've damaged the side tubes on my D3 offroading (24 hours earlier they were still in their box) so went to take them off. They are fitted with an allan key type bolt which is very soft (at least I managed to strip 2 out of 6). Luckily with some WD40 & patience I managed to get off all 6. I've put the bars back on but with 12mm proper bolts from a local trailer supplies company so they now come off easily with a 19mm socket.
I'll be taking the bars off later to hammerite the rusty bits (rusted up overnight) unless anyone is throwing up thir hands in horror & saying "you can't use that stuff!!!".
Derek, did they take a fair hammering or were they dented easily??Have a nice day!
2010 Cayenne Diesel with PASM & Off Road Pkg
2005 HSE D3 (Sold)
29th Aug 2006 12:53 pm
simon
Member Since: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 18296
We managed to bend both of his (well they are on his wifes D3) side bars... strange thing is that we all drove the same routes and none of us had any side damage (apart from alloy scratches) as we all were running with no tubes... they do reduce the clearance somewhat.
But hey, hats off as there were no tears
29th Aug 2006 12:56 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
The left side made a horrible noise, thought it was my door pannel being ripped through so side tube damage was a relief. I know they reduce clearance & will damage before the sills will but I'd prefer that than the body of the car taking damage if I slide into something. The left one bent a bit as well, just remounted it with a few washers to straighten it out a bit.
29th Aug 2006 3:02 pm
tlt
Member Since: 02 Sep 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 262
side protection
Both the factory (protection) for the front and sides are really more like "brush" bars than real protection. I mangled my first brush gaurd easily, also bending the mounting brackets on the mount position.
I easily damaged (big dent) the right side protection, simply by high siding on a jut of soft rock (limestone) and it scratched off the plastic protection and put a big dent/scratch in it, also flexing the mounting point.
It seems that the mounting point weakness dictates the strength of the gaurds that can be used. I guess, if I was going to make a suggestion to any making these items, with the stress on quality and strength, perhaps it might be possible to make it stronger by either pressurising them, or load portions, or by filling it with something, such as sand, etc.. or something lighter..
just a few thoughts..
2nd Sep 2006 12:36 am
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
but this is for the DIY muppets like myself.
