chequer plate

Hi,

I've got a '06 Defender 110 with a 2.8m patriot roof rack on it. Now, it's a pain in the arse getting up the rear to tie loads down at the front, thus a bonnet plate so I can trample around without worrying too much...

I've got the 25mm CSK (I think) screws and nylon nuts (as it were). Some of these go in fine, however, others don't as they are not long enough. In certain areas you get through the bonnet and then reach the bonnet strengthening supports.

So, the question is... How do I get round this problem ??

My guess is....

1. Place bonnet plate on bonnet
2. Pre-drill all holes - I think it's a 5mm bit I'm needing
3. In areas where I hit the bonnet strengthening supports (hollow) drill through these too
4. Put a few screws in where I can to hold the plate in place
5. Open the bonnet up and from the underside use a large HSS drill bit that will give me suffucient space to get a ratchet and nut behind the scew. I think the largest HSS bit I've got that will go into my driver is 16mm
6. Place nut into ratchet and then screw into hole (from above) and tighten

should I put any compound around the screw to reduce water ingress ?
should I put a rubber flange to the rear of the bonnet plate ?

Thanks in advance.. Paul.

personally, i'd just use longer screws in selected places, rather than weaken the struts.
on the assumption that you're not gonna remove it again (and leave holes in the bonnett) i would just put a bit of mastic around the edge of the plate and under each screw head.

whats wrong with rivets?

Griffdowg said:

whats wrong with rivets?

Click to expand...

1) they dont taste as nice as a cheese sarnie.
2) who wants to give their Doris a rivet?

nowt - good alternative if yer aint plannin on removin it again.

go with the rivet i say!

Even if you do want to remove it at some point rivets are easier to drill out than rusty nuts and bolts are to undo

Aye, I'm with riveterin it too. Easy enough to drill out.

or use rivnuts - which can be inserted from the outside. You can get sealed versions, which will allow removal at a later stage.

here is a link