Freelander 1 Towbar fitting

drfoster · Feb 6, 2023

Hi there,

if you fit a towbar to an FL1 do you normally have to remove and discard the towrope hanger from the offside chassis rail?
i've got a towbar i'm just refurbing and not yet ready for fitting but i'm thinking the hanger needs to be removed so will need a good soak in Bulldog BDX before i'm ready to fit it.

cheers

Steve

Nodge68 · Feb 6, 2023

No, the towing eye stays in place.

drfoster · Feb 6, 2023

Nodge68 said:
No, the towing eye stays in place.

Roger that, i need to have a good look once i get the car back, from what i remember the bolts looked mighty crusty so hopefully they'll come out in one peice.

cheers

Steve

Scampla · Feb 6, 2023

Use those bolts for the other side and longer bolts on the towing eye side or just get all new ones if they are too crusty.

drfoster · Feb 6, 2023

Scampla said:
Use those bolts for the other side and longer bolts on the towing eye side or just get all new ones if they are too crusty.

i'm more concerned they will shear off when i attempt to get them out, i will soak them in BDX first though, give me a fighting chance hopefully

Nodge68 · Feb 7, 2023

drfoster said:
i'm more concerned they will shear off when i attempt to get them out, i will soak them in BDX first though, give me a fighting chance hopefully

I've had to use heat to get them loose in the past. They can rust up solid.

drfoster · Feb 7, 2023

Nodge68 said:
I've had to use heat to get them loose in the past. They can rust up solid.

Do they go straight through the chassis rail or are there three bolts either side? or even just 3 bolts on the inside? cheers

FlatbedPilot · Feb 7, 2023

3 bolts on each end into captivated nuts in the inner side of the chassis rail. 2 more bolts going through the bottom of the bar up to captivated nuts in the chassis.

Nodge68 · Feb 7, 2023

drfoster said:
Do they go straight through the chassis rail or are there three bolts either side? or even just 3 bolts on the inside? cheers

There are many small bolts, 3 on each side of the towing eye, but only the inner side bolts need removing, as the tow bar bracket fits against the towing eye.
The bolts are thread into captive nuts inside the box section, and it's not unknown for them to break off rather than unbolt.
Plenty of penetrant fluid (not WD40) for a few days before you start the job might help. Unfortunately access is tight but it's possible to do with the right tools.
The tow bar kit should come with longer bolts to replace the ones you need to remove to make it fit.

drfoster · Feb 7, 2023

Nodge68 said:
There are many small bolts, 3 on each side of the towing eye, but only the inner side bolts need removing, as the tow bar bracket fits against the towing eye.
The bolts are thread into captive nuts inside the box section, and it's not unknown for them to break off rather than unbolt.
Plenty of penetrant fluid (not WD40) for a few days before you start the job might help. Unfortunately access is tight but it's possible to do with the right tools.
The tow bar kit should come with longer bolts to replace the ones you need to remove to make it fit.

Cool, cheers for the info, i've got the 6 chassis bolts and the two longer ones that go up from underneath. i'll give them a good dousing before i attempt to take them out.

Nodge68 · Feb 7, 2023

drfoster said:
Cool, cheers for the info, i've got the 6 chassis bolts and the two longer ones that go up from underneath.

Good. Those 2 middle bolts are hard to find off the shelf, being 10.8 grade metric fine threads, so make sure you use the correct torque wrench settings when installing them.

drfoster · Feb 7, 2023

Nodge68 said:
Good. Those 2 middle bolts are hard to find off the shelf, being 10.8 grade metric fine threads, so make sure you use the correct torque wrench settings when installing them.

will do, cheers buddy

Freelander 1 Towbar fitting

drfoster

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Scampla

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