Freelander 1 Side Bar Fitting

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Geodark

Geodark

Active Member
Posts
224
Had a look under the car earlier to see what was involved in fitting the side bars I bought (came with the worlds worst instructions - I am having to guess as I go - I will take a pic tomorrow night and stick them up on here) But I have come across an issue. It appears that at some point in the past it has had side bars fitted and removed. There are rivnuts in place, but... one of bolts is still in place along with a bit of metal that forms part of the frame that held the side step on - it has just been cut off.

The side bars I bought dont come with rivnuts, but instead came with u-bolts etc - which seems strange to me.

So the question I have is -

1) do I drill out the existing rivnuts (if that can be done) and use the fittings that came with the side bars
2) do i grind/drill out the stuck bolt in the rivnut and use the existing rivnuts to fit the side bars (and add the missing ones)
3) do I pour a beer, chill and think about it next weekend
4) other (any suggestions?)

Cheers People, :)
 
Geodark said:
Had a look under the car earlier to see what was involved in fitting the side bars I bought (came with the worlds worst instructions - I am having to guess as I go - I will take a pic tomorrow night and stick them up on here) But I have come across an issue. It appears that at some point in the past it has had side bars fitted and removed. There are rivnuts in place, but... one of bolts is still in place along with a bit of metal that forms part of the frame that held the side step on - it has just been cut off.

The side bars I bought dont come with rivnuts, but instead came with u-bolts etc - which seems strange to me.

So the question I have is -

1) do I drill out the existing rivnuts (if that can be done) and use the fittings that came with the side bars
2) do i grind/drill out the stuck bolt in the rivnut and use the existing rivnuts to fit the side bars (and add the missing ones)
3) do I pour a beer, chill and think about it next weekend
4) other (any suggestions?)

Cheers People, :)
Click to expand...

If you can, you're best sticking with Rivnuts.
 
Nodge68 said:
If you can, you're best sticking with Rivnuts.
Click to expand...

Cheers, thats what I thought - I can sort of work out how the u-bolts worked, but can I hell as work out how the fittings that go into the sill were suppose to fit! there are no instructions, just a single exploded diagram with part numbers, but it is the poorest quality ever! thankfully the side bars seem to be better quality.

I will get some rivnuts ordered. They look to be M8, but will check tomorrow for sure.
 
Is it any particular grade Rivnut does anyone know? Amazon do rivnut packs for about £12ish - question is though, am I better with zinc or carbon steel?
 
Righty, just had a look under and the existing rivnuts dont look to be in a good shape at all - looks like I am going to have to drill the old ones out and replace them all -
 
Hmmm strange one. Checked the size of the current rivnuts and they are m6. Ordered some, but they are too small for the existing holes. Do you get different size rivnuts that take an m6 Bolt?
 
The outer diameter of rivnuts can be any size - there’s no set standard for them.

What size drill did you use to remove the old ones?
 
I haven't yet. The old bracket used one of the two holes, so I was just comparing the size of the rivnuts. I might nip out and see how m8 fit.
 
Number 3 i hope you opted 4.
Geodark said:
Righty, just had a look under and the existing rivnuts dont look to be in a good shape at all - looks like I am going to have to drill the old ones out and replace them all -
Click to expand...
plus.. how do you mean don’t look in good shape?? Can you not just run a Tap through them and clear the threads out??
 
Weldy said:
Number 3 i hope you opted 4.

plus.. how do you mean don’t look in good shape?? Can you not just run a Tap through them and clear the threads out??
Click to expand...
Yeah number 3 won! Haha. To be honest never thought about tapping the existing ones. I am sure I have a set of taps somewhere.
 
Yup, found them. Four of the six that I need to use have tapped out fine, two have bolts snapped off so I will have to try drilling them out or grind them off and punch them through. Just didn't fancy having them rattle in the chasis haha. I will have a proper look when I am off on Friday. Ordered some large flange rivnuts as well for the holes I need to use that don't already have rivnuts in. Nothing is ever straight forward with freelander haha
 
Yeah got a cracking couple of hammers here that should do that job. Fingers crossed by the end of the weekend I will have the side bars fitted. Then that just leaves the remote thermostat to fit and the front wiper parking to sort out.
 
@GrumpyGel said
Fit the thermostat with a hamma as well mate..
He also said hit the wipers with a foookin hamma as well mate..
Just ask him..
Anyhoo bud
Only jokin ...
Look after her
And she will look after you
 
Weldy said:
@GrumpyGel said
Fit the thermostat with a hamma as well mate..
He also said hit the wipers with a foookin hamma as well mate..
Just ask him..
Anyhoo bud
Only jokin ...
Look after her
And she will look after you
Click to expand...
Yeah first thing I did was replace all the tyres, checked the vcu and fitted a tpms!
 
Geodark said:
Yeah first thing I did was replace all the tyres, checked the vcu and fitted a tpms!
Click to expand...
cool.. hats off to you bud.. it’s all a learning curve
Just wait till you get a bad boy landy..
It will change your life mate..
Took me a while ,
driven crappy motors..
But got a beast in the end..
But maintaince is the key ..
If it says change oil every 10 thousand
Do it at 5 me say!!
And it will gan forever
 
Geodark said:
Yeah first thing I did was replace all the tyres, checked the vcu and fitted a tpms!
Click to expand...
You need a rubber mallet to fit tyres - not a hammer :)

TPMS is GOOOOD.

Weldy said:
cool.. hats off to you bud.. it’s all a learning curve
Just wait till you get a bad boy landy..
It will change your life mate..
Took me a while ,
driven crappy motors..
But got a beast in the end..
But maintaince is the key ..
If it says change oil every 10 thousand
Do it at 5 me say!!
And it will gan forever
Click to expand...
I had enuff of bad boy landys - they spent to much time sat on the drive broke and when they did go I couldn't afford enuff for the petrol to go anywhere!

I'z got a great Landy now :)

Never lets me down.... or not often in the 8 years anyway :)

Been a fun learning curve looking after it as well.
 
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