Sidebar mounting problems

[tforturton]

I bought a pair of black side bars, the ones that slot into the jacking points, but I seem to be having problems getting them to fit. They are basically a simple tube, with two 'legs', one at either end, that slide into the jacking points. One leg is slightly longer than the other, and this one goes into the front jacking point, and out the other side, allowing you to screw a bolt into a hole, holding the whole thing in place. The rear leg is shorter, and sits in the rear jacking point. So far, so good.
The legs are different distances from the ends of the tube - this is so the rear end clears the suspension nipple, which is just alongside the jacking point. If you put the tube the wrong way round, with the 'long end' at the back, then it won't slide into the jacking point fully, because it comes up against the nipple.
So, in theory, the long front leg should be at the opposite end from the short end that clears the nipple. Does that make sense? The problem is, on the pair I have, the 'long leg' (ie. the front one), is on the 'short end' (the rear end) of the tube. They appear to be the wrong way around, and both are identical.
Now this had me going for a while, trying different ways of putting them in, turning them around, trying the other side of the bus, etc, until I came to the conclusion that either the tubes had been made up incorrectly, or.....and here's where you lot come in.....the jacking points on a syncro are different to those on a 'normal' T25. Are they?
Am I wasting my time trying to get these to fit, because they're not going to?
It's a bank holiday, so I can't contact the suppliers for a couple of days, but at least I'd know that I'm not going mad.

[lloydy]

By nipple, do you mean the tab that is inside the jacking point to stop the factory jack going in to far? If so, have a look at this vid, it shows jake knocking this tab out the way
http://campervanculture.com/2011/11/vw- ... il-review/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tforturton]

No, I mean the end of the bolt where the suspension arm is mounted. It's got a black cap fitted on the end , so it looks like a big grease nipple, and it's right next to the rear jacking point.
I wasn't aware of that video - I'll take a look at it - thanks.

[tforturton]

I've watched the video, and the tab isn't part of the problem. The rear leg on my bar is shorter, so it doesn't actually go all the way through the jacking point - so no need to remove any tabs. Actually, thinking about it, it might work if I did knock the tab clear, as I could then have the long leg at the rear. This would mean the short end of the tube would be in the right place. I'll give it a go.
Mind you, it would be a lot easier if the tubes just slid in to place, but they don't. It's a real job to get them in, and I've got misgivings about how easy they would be to remove, if you ever needed to jack the car up after a puncture. Can't be right, surely?

[lloydy]

pictures help... whose rock sliders are they?

[syncro up]

Mind you, it would be a lot easier if the tubes just slid in to place, but they don't. It's a real job to get them in, and I've got misgivings about how easy they would be to remove, if you ever needed to jack the car up after a puncture. Can't be right, surely?

Pack a bottle jack

[Syncrobaz]

WHS ^^^ When you've fitted them they won't come off too easy especially if you've leant on them

Don't you have a high lift jack ??

[tforturton]

Lloydy's ladder has two nice pegs, for hanging a hi-lift jack onto, but I don't have one. Rock sliders? Er, not really.
The closest my Syncro has been to off road so far was driving on the grass at Pembrey Country Park. Maybe one day...
Anyway, these are plain black side bars, and can be spotted on Ebay if you fancy a look. I reckon the problem is the swing arm mounting bolt, which seems to stick out quite a long way, and stops the bar sitting correctly. I checked out a couple of local T25s (non-Syncro), and they seem to have a flat bolt head next to the rear jacking point, instead of the prominent black nut cap that I have. Is it possible the bolt has been taken off at some stage, and re-installed the wrong way around?

[lloydy]

when you take that black cap off a normal flat bolt should be underneath.. Rock sliders is just another name for side bars, so all the same thing really. If they don't fit, ring the company and ask them. Maybe they welded the legs on wrong?

[tforturton]

I'll try it with the cap off, and if it still doesn't work, then I'll give them a call.

[tforturton]

Okay, I got them to fit eventually, by removing the cap off the end of the bolt, and grinding a little bit off the rear leg. They look good - will get a photo up asap. In the meantime, like 'Syncro up' says, I'm going to need a bottle jack. I don't really want to be carrying a big hi-lift around with me all the time. I reckon I'm going to need an extra tall one though, so can anyone point me in the right direction? All suggestions gratefully received.

[lloydy]

ive got bottle jacks from a vw crafter, lift the van up plenty

[tforturton]

Land Rover one do it?

[tforturton]

How high does the jack have to lift? Lots of bottle jacks on auction sites, but its hard to say which would be best, or which ones will lift high enough. I like the look of the Land Rover jacks, as they have a large top piece, which is going to make it easier to locate under the car. Any pointers?