Underbody protection bars

Post by **Womboy** » 29 Nov 2006, 14:30

Hi, just wondering if anyone can give me some advice.

I'm having trouble getting the protection bars off that run alongside the propshaft. The rear bolts where they join to the engine bars have come out fine and the nuts holding the bolts on at the front have come off. However, I can't seem to get the bolts out at the front... They rotate easily, but I can't get them to move sideways out of the bars and through the brackets. Even tapping them with a hammer or levering on the ends won't make them shift... Anybody have any suggestions at all... it's driving me crazy!

Sorry if this should be in Tech by the way, wasn't sure which forum to put it in.

Post by **Russel** » 29 Nov 2006, 15:26

Unfortunatly the bolts have rusted into the loose sleeves that are fitted
inside the bars to prevent people from over tightning then crushing the bars.U will need a gas torch to loosen them off.

Post by **Womboy** » 29 Nov 2006, 18:38

Thanks for the info Russel, much appreciated. Looks like another of those jobs that end up taking twice as long as you expect!

Just wondering if I could ask for a little bit more help? By Gas Torch, I take it you mean something like this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... tion%20Kit

Also, do I just need to use the torch to heat up the ends of the bolts to free the sleeves off? Cheers, Simon.

Post by **Russel** » 29 Nov 2006, 19:30

not the little torch in the link.I mean acetaline and oxagen bottles connected to a welding torch.U will have to heat the sleeve from the small gap in the front of the rail.
This is a job for a profesionel.

Post by **HarryMann** » 01 Dec 2006, 00:10

This is a job for a profesionel.

Small local garage or maybe ask at a National Tyres (often tame, forget Quikfit), some of the more backstreet ones should pop this up on a ramp and do it for cash. Russel means direct the oxy/acetylene flame in from the open front of the underrun bars onto the spacer bush itself.

Exhaust shops have to do this pretty often so usually always have Oxy Acetylene bottles a round, although H&S are starting to become a right pain in the bum!

Post by **syncroandy** » 01 Dec 2006, 09:26

Otherwise just cut off the bolt head/nut with a grinder, prize the retaining plates a little and the bar should come out OK ?

Post by **Womboy** » 02 Dec 2006, 15:47

Thanks for all the advice guys. Think I'm gonna have a go at doing it myself and if no joy I'll have to take it to a local garage as Harrymann suggests.