Tools for Bull bars

[Morag]

I'm collecting a set of bullbars next week as I'm going darn sarf, and it would be so much easier if I could plonk them on the front rather than carrying them in the Freda. I'm getting all the brackets with them so can someone tell me what bolts or whatever and what spanners/socket bits are needed and I'll take tham with me.

My husband has turned into a pimper

[You've Been Bongod]

hi Morag,

i think its 19mm spanner you need , if anyone wants to correct me ??

there are 2 bolts that go trough the bumper, you have to undo 2 bolts in the bumper and re attach with brackets,
the other 2 brackets go where the 2 front towing eyes go , you have to take them off

hope this helps

[daveblueozzie]

yes as ybb just said the bolts are already there to re-use ,but not sure about the size of spanner /socket needed.

[bigdaddycain]

I'd be inclined to suggest giving the spare bolt holes around the towing eye area spray with WD40 a day or so before fitting. Given the recent weather,take an old spare blanket or similar to lie on too.

See if the chap you are getting the bars from supplies the bolts too, if so, check that two of the bolts are 1/4 of an inch longer than the others. These two longer bolts aren't fitted to the towing eye brackets (left open threaded) These holes WILL need to be lubricated before you attempt to fit the longer bolts,as they have been exposed to the elements for yonks. If the thread feels really tight,spray WD generously into the hole,and onto the bolt thread, and every 1/2 clockwise turn,back it off 1/4 anti-clockwise turn,a crude, yet effective (roadside) method of tapping/cleaning a thread.

[mikeonb4c]

When I refitted mine I found the bolts for the top brackets were different on each side (i.e. odd, not matched). Which reminded me that what should be on there may not always be what is on there. I'd take a socket set and ring spanners to cover likely eventualities. I'm afraid I can't remember what sizes though hopefully someone else on here will.

Oh and I also remember my top brackets had Phillips cross-headed bolts on them, with corroded threads (good game). I only just managed (after penetrating oil etc.) to hold the phillips heads steady with a phillips / posidrive screwdriver while I undid the bolts. So a good (v. large size) posidrive / crosshead screwdriver and maybe a set of mole grips to clamp to the screwdriver handle in case your grip alone can't hold the screwhead/driver still. Hope that makes sense.

[Seamus]

Having just fitted my bull bar on Sunday it's still very fresh in my mind. You will need a 14mm socket, short extension and ratchet plus a 12mm ring spanner and philips screwdriver. It's also much better to use "copper ease" or any other copper based grease rather than WD40 for re-cutting threads and for ease of removal at a later date.

I didn't need to remove the towing eyes, they are welded in place on my '95 Bongo! The brackets are handed left and right and take the towing eyes into consideration. You can re-use all the existing bolts but remember to slacken off at least one of the front brackets to help with alignment.

You will need an extra pair of hands to support the bull bar while you attach it. The whole job should take about 15 mins.

Good luck.

[bigdaddycain]

Thanks for that seamus, you can tell you fitted yours much more recently than i have!

I have a habit of keeping one of those mini-tins of WD40 in each of my toolboxes (main big toolbox in the house, and a smaller toolbox in each car). That's why i suggested it for use of thread cleaning, i sometimes forget that not EVERYBODY has WD in their toolkit.

With regards to mike's point about the philips head on the bolt on the top mounts, mine was seized into position too, (don't re-use it for god's sake! ) I simply could not get a purchase wit hmy trusty,chunky ratchet screwdriver, i had to use a big philips headed socket on a ratchet to get enough leverage to free it off,and even with the ratchet, i had to use nearly all my bodyweight on keeping the ratchet in the crosshead of the bolt without it rounding it off! I'm sure the philips head bolts wer brill in 1995,but not now!

[mikeonb4c]

With regards to mike's point about the philips head on the bolt on the top mounts, mine was seized into position too, (don't re-use it for god's sake! )

But....but....yes you've guessed. Being the cheapskate Irish mechanic that I am, I did re-use them. Well, I reckoned they weren't ever coming off again

On a serious note, I wonder if this was a bit of the electrolytic corrosions between stainless steel (FDBs) and normal steel bolts