Member Since: 19 Aug 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 34
Fixed towbar bolts
I have purchased a second hand fixed towbar which has been supplied without the nuts, bolts and washers.
The LR bolt kit from The Large One is £34
Does anyone know the sizes I need? Could do with putting the £34 towards a new lock, rust remover and hammerite!
I have also had a look at the fitting instructions on the wiki. The side bars I have are different. Do I have the correct ones? Are there mounting holes for these underneath the bumper or on the chassis?
Struggling to upload photograph The side bars I have seem to have an additional strengthening piece half way down the side bar which may bolt to the underside of the bumper/chassis.
15th Nov 2013 11:01 pm
blue200tdi
Member Since: 23 Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 1094
The bars attach on the chassis at one end and onto the piece that locks into the chassis in the same way that the detachable one does. I don't know of one that bolts up behind the bumper onto the chassis, they did on the older Disco's but not the D3 as far as I know.
The bolts are very substantial and the ones that go through the chassis are designed so that tightening them up doesn't crush the chassis. I'd bite the bullet and buy proper bolts, the forces involved in towing any trailer are quite large.
If you can post a picture either on here or your gallery I'll be able to tell you if it will fit or not.You guys are gonna be busier than a test bench in a plunger factory!
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2014 Kawasaki ZZR1400 Performance sport.
16th Nov 2013 12:33 am
Alan B
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: Fife
Posts: 6528
I agree with blue200tdi,
There are the 2 chassis bolts, the main stay ( or whatever it's called) goes into the hole that the detachable towbar goes into then you bolt everything to the plate.
And a small bolt goes down on the top of this to save it coming loose.
If you think £34 is too much try a local caravan dealers.
Should only take about half an hour to fit
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16th Nov 2013 7:01 am
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18560
Sounds like you might have an aftermarket bar 06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
16th Nov 2013 7:31 am
C8RTO
Member Since: 19 Aug 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 34
Thanks for the replies.
Have tried and failed to upload an image to the thread.
Using I phone it uploads the file but then 'hangs' on the 'adding to album' stage. Anyway, have somehow managed to get a photo into my gallery. I'd be obliged if you could take a look and let me know your thoughts.
16th Nov 2013 8:03 am
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
Those thinner bits look like someone has tacked them on themselves! Everything else looks like a standard LR tow bar.2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
16th Nov 2013 8:07 am
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
Novel method of removing a towbar, cut half of the bumper cross member off at the same time
16th Nov 2013 8:34 am
C8RTO
Member Since: 19 Aug 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 34
I've offered the side bars up to the underside of the D3. The thinner bits on the side bar do not seem to have anywhere to bolt to.
Bear with me on this bit (!) On either side of the towbar mounting point behind the bumper are two "free swinging weights" Are these something to do with the air suspension?
Could it be that the side bars I have been supplied with are for a coil spring/non air suspension model?
17th Nov 2013 9:41 pm
blue200tdi
Member Since: 23 Sep 2012
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 1094
I have absolutely no idea where those small bars bolt to. I personally would cut them off because they are not part of the tow bar. The swinging weights are meant to be there and are not part of the tow bar in any way. They are for vibration dampening.
Apart from those 'extra' bars it's the right tow bar. You guys are gonna be busier than a test bench in a plunger factory!
Java black 2006 2.7 TDV6 HSE AUTO.
2014 Kawasaki ZZR1400 Performance sport.
17th Nov 2013 9:56 pm
C8RTO
Member Since: 19 Aug 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 34
Thanks blue 200tdi, think thats what I'm going to have to do.
It'd be a right faff trying to get a refund from the breaker, it took over three weeks for it to arrive!
I paid £40 (+£8 post) so with the cost of a new lock and bolt kit I should still be quids in
Oh, and I'll have a detachable hook to sell
17th Nov 2013 10:35 pm
Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 481
Does the main bit come out of the socket ok?
17th Nov 2013 10:40 pm
C8RTO
Member Since: 19 Aug 2010
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 34
Not been removed yet.
Its been soaking in penetrating oil for a couple of days and I have instructions for how to remove the lock. going to work on it tomorrow!
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The side bars I have seem to have an additional strengthening piece half way down the side bar which may bolt to the underside of the bumper/chassis.
