Rear wheel carrier problems

[Bundalene]

I have just purchased a Bearmach rear wheel carrier for our Defender. I was going to make my own, but have too many other projects are stacking up.

Has anyone had any cracks, breaks, opening difficulties, adjustments, or problems with these as I will beef it up if there are some known problems.

I will no doubt add a rear door opening assist as Derek has done recently.

Thanks, Erich

[dullbird]

not had any problems with ours yet..only that the powder coating is coming off and the bloody thing now has to come off for a paint.

[Brid]

Something I learned last week was that the Pumas already have strengthened rear door internals for the wheel carrier.

I met up with a mate up bush who had a 2001 Defender and the rear door frame had cracked. He'd purchased a new (puma type) door, as it had some serious reinforcing as standard.

He still had the inner skin off it, so was able to show me the new standard bracing. It looks like it should solve the cracking problem. I guess time will tell, but the after market carrier may not be necessary in most Pumas now.

Cheers Brid

[Psimpson7]

to my knowledge the rear door is the same since 2002.

[Scallops]

The Brisbane dealer told me that the Puma rear doors were in fact different and have been made significantly stronger - did I believe them? Well, I bought a wheel carrier 3 hours later. ;)

[Brid]

Seeing is believing...just remove the trim and have a look.

A pleasant surprise to know LR have rectified (or attempted to) an old problem...pretty rare event!

[Psimpson7]

Ok I'm interested now.

here is the inside of my latish model td5 rear door. Is it different to this:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/645.jpg

[Scallops]

Seeing is believing...just remove the trim and have a look.

A pleasant surprise to know LR have rectified (or attempted to) an old problem...pretty rare event!

It's not that I don't believe they are different - I just don't believe a wheel carrier is now unnecessary. ;)

And to provide an answer to the original poster's question - although I have an OL carrier, it broke in multiple spots after a flogging on the Gunbarrel etc. So check it regularly and be prepared to remove it and weld up cracks / add gussets as required.

[Brid]

I wish I'd taken a photo of it now to compare direct.

[Bundalene]

Thanks for your input - keep replies coming. We do thousands of kms of rough corrugated roads each year. Our back door has definitely dropped a few mm. I have just unpacked the spare holder and I think it looks OK for the weight - always a compromise. We have an 2006 TD5. This is a pic of the kit

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1812/dscn1235.jpg (http://img175.imageshack.us/i/dscn1235.jpg/)

Erich

[isuzurover]

Do they still cause the rear crossmember to stress fracture where they are bolted on - or was that a different carrier?

[MacFamily]

not had any problems with ours yet..only that the powder coating is coming off and the bloody thing now has to come off for a paint.
x2 We have not had any other problems.But we dont do alot of rough corrugated roads that you would do Erich.

I have thought about taping in some grease nipples as they do get a little squeaky, I have pulled it apart and greased the bushes.

[TimNZ]

I fitted one of the Bearmach carriers to my '08 110, then took it off about 2 weeks later as I could not stop it from squeaking.

Tim

[samuelclarke]

I've had my Bearmach real wheel carrier on for around a year now (and around 30,000km's)...the only issue I've had is the powder coating starting to flake over the last month. :( Apart from that it's been great! As part of my daily commute I drive 10km of rough dirt road, plus am off road fairly often...no squeaks or rattles and the spare tyre is secure. :thumbsup:

[samuelclarke]

I fitted one of the Bearmach carriers to my '08 110, then took it off about 2 weeks later as I could not stop it from squeaking.

Tim

Mine started to squeak a little bit. A good squirt of silicone spray (doesn't attract dust as much as other lubes) every few thousand km's and it stays squeak free. :)

[firsttimedefender]

I have just purchased a Bearmach rear wheel carrier for our Defender. I was going to make my own, but have too many other projects are stacking up.

Has anyone had any cracks, breaks, opening difficulties, adjustments, or problems with these as I will beef it up if there are some known problems.

I will no doubt add a rear door opening assist as Derek has done recently.

Thanks, Erich


Apparently the weakness is not the door itself but the 45 year-old hinges they are still putting on!??

[Bundalene]

not had any problems with ours yet..only that the powder coating is coming off and the bloody thing now has to come off for a paint.

Ours will get a coat of POR 15 and then be spay painted silver, same as the Defender.

Erich

[Mulgo]

Has anybody got experience with the 'Allmakes' spare wheel carrier you get at BMI in Sydney?

Cheers,
Daniel

[dmdigital]

The Bearmach on my Tdi has been fine for about 6 years as has a friends and his has really done some hard mile. The Bearmach on the Puma broke last year coming out of the very, very, very corrugated Bungle Bungles.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/646.jpg

[Bundalene]

Thanks for that Derek - I remembered someone having a problem but wasn't sure. I have read about a number of other brands failing and damaging chassis members,


As it turns out we will leave ours original and not add any strengthening for now as we have just painted it.

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/9527/dscn1261.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/dscn1261.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Ignore the mess in the background

Erich

[Rosco]

Ok I'm interested now.

here is the inside of my latish model td5 rear door. Is it different to this:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/645.jpg

Funny that ....... The inside of my '03 jobby looks identical .......... the dust I mean :mad::D

[TimNZ]

Here's a pic of a naked 08 Puma rear door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/1282.jpg

Looks pretty much the same as Psimpson7's late TD5 Door.

Cheers,

Tim

[oldyella 76]

I have reinforced my door by welding 25 X 50 mm RHS inside door. It will fit and can be mig welded to the steel frame and the upholstery will refit over it. I have done 2 trips with it, up through Maralinga and back through Cook and last year up the Canning. I have had no cracks since . Laid it flat on a couple of trestles and placed a small amount of water inside to prevent burns to the outside skin and carefully fitted and welded the RHS to the steel frame.

[LRO53]

Here's a pic of a naked 08 Puma rear door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/1282.jpg

Looks pretty much the same as Psimpson7's late TD5 Door.

Cheers,

Tim

What i thought. From my research LR changed the door 2003MY during TD5 to the current design still used now.

I understand one of the major change's was Alloy Skinned to Steel Skinned.

A few other things changed in 2005MY but i cannot confirm these.

1: Steel Bonnet apparently appeared
2: Steel doors

(Ive got a Jan 05 TD5 I will have to find a Magnet)

[Mulgo]

Here's a pic of a naked 08 Puma rear door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/1282.jpg

Looks pretty much the same as Psimpson7's late TD5 Door.

Cheers,

Tim

It is the same - only two bolts are missing and that fancy central locking has been added.

It's like 'find the difference' - my kids would love it. :D

Cheers,
Daniel

[Bushie]

I understand one of the major change's was Alloy Skinned to Steel Skinned.

A few other things changed in 2005MY but i cannot confirm these.

1: Steel Bonnet apparently appeared
2: Steel doors

(Ive got a Jan 05 TD5 I will have to find a Magnet)

Lets just hope the corrosion protection is better than on the bolts that hold the doors on :o:o

Numpty, has had the rear wheel carrier on his Td5 break twice, not sure of the breed though. (not Kaymar)


Martyn

[Psimpson7]

Here's a pic of a naked 08 Puma rear door:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/10/1282.jpg

Looks pretty much the same as Psimpson7's late TD5 Door.

Cheers,

Tim

Thanks Tim, Yep Thought so. Same since 2002 then.

Cheers
Pete

[Psimpson7]

What i thought. From my research LR changed the door 2003MY during TD5 to the current design still used now.

I understand one of the major change's was Alloy Skinned to Steel Skinned.

A few other things changed in 2005MY but i cannot confirm these.

1: Steel Bonnet apparently appeared
2: Steel doors

(Ive got a Jan 05 TD5 I will have to find a Magnet)

It is also my understanding that they got the steel front doors in about 2005 (the inside of the frame in the top corners in a curve rather than the welded corner.) Not sure about the bonnet

[Scallops]

...Same since 2002 then...

Glad I ignored the dealer and bought a wheel carrier then! :D Jeez - do those clowns get anything right? :angel:

[LRO53]

Tail Door Spare Mounting (http://analogalex.fatcow.com/def9906/tech/LD501-08.pdf)

Just found that it seems Late 05 / 06 Defenders onwards have a stronger mount made from thicker steel.

[slug_burner]

Tail Door Spare Mounting (http://analogalex.fatcow.com/def9906/tech/LD501-08.pdf)

Just found that it seems Late 05 / 06 Defenders onwards have a stronger mount made from thicker steel.

I don't think that this addressess the issue of the door frame cracking.

[solmanic]

...Same since 2002 then...

Glad I ignored the dealer and bought a wheel carrier then! :D Jeez - do those clowns get anything right? :angel:

It's not that they were totally wrong, it's just when Land Rover change anything in the Defender dealers bang on about it being "new" for years. Look at the 07MY Defender - it's still commonly referred to as the "new" Defender.

On the Land Rover timescale, anything since about 2000 is considered new.

[numpty]

Lets just hope the corrosion protection is better than on the bolts that hold the doors on :o:o

Numpty, has had the rear wheel carrier on his Td5 break twice, not sure of the breed though. (not Kaymar)


Martyn

It's from Scorpion Racing (through Rovacraft) and yes, it has broken twice. Replaced the first time (by Scorpion) and repaired with modifications the second time (by Rovacraft). Broke in the same place and same as the photos earlier in this thread. There's not enough bracing in them to begin with and I reckon it could do with being sleeved at the weak spots.

I also replaced the 12mm bolts in all of the pivots with 1/2" ones (.7mm larger) to stop a lot of movement and no, I didn't have to enlarge the holes.:eek: But it does have grease nipples on each one.

I also made some spacers to fit under the large washers inside the door channels.

[LRO53]

Here's an interesting problem. I hope i can get some suggestions onto what would be the best course of action.

I have noticed in the last week the rear door on my station wagon has been rubbing on the gal strip on the back of the rear body. I have some photos attached. I am guessing this is from the weight of the spare and it has only been getting worse.
I am considering a wheel carrier unless some adjustment can be had from the hinges.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

For those interested its a 05 Td5 XS Station Wagon. I currently live and work in the UK and have always wanted a 90 but they would not sell me a "High Spec one in Australia" All they seem to sell back home is one spec and trim level. Even with the new Puma 90 you can only get the basic one.....

This has

# Carpet all round (The Difference this makes to noise is very suprising)
# Heated Screen
# Heated Seats
# Leather Seats
# Leather Steering Wheel / and Gear knobs
# XS Grille and headlight surrounds
# It's got an extra guard under the vehicle like the disco which reduces road noise again not sure what they call this

http://analogalex.fatcow.com/rearseats.JPG

[Mulgo]

Here's an interesting problem. I hope i can get some suggestions onto what would be the best course of action.

I have noticed in the last week the rear door on my station wagon has been rubbing on the gal strip on the back of the rear body. I have some photos attached. I am guessing this is from the weight of the spare and it has only been getting worse.
I am considering a wheel carrier unless some adjustment can be had from the hinges.

http://analogalex.fatcow.com/reardoor1.JPG

http://analogalex.fatcow.com/reardoor2.JPG



You need to change the pins/bolts in the hinges and realign the rear door. Also make sure that the bolts of the hinges are properly tightened.

Regards,
Daniel

[danske]

I have invested in one , as my door looked like it was pulling away from the carframe slightly , which meant dust in the car.:mad: Ha ha , little did I know it comes in very other hole crack that the car has.Still It does provide easier access to the door handle , and given it is now on I dont have to keep checking wether the door will crack. I wil caution you as to makeing sure you dont fit it too close to the door though as it menas a two step approach to open the door if you do. I fitted mine too close and now have to pull the door open by pullin the wheel first.

[LRO53]

You need to change the pins/bolts in the hinges and realign the rear door. Also make sure that the bolts of the hinges are properly tightened.

Regards,
Daniel


I will have a look in the parts book for the pin/bolts and get some new ones ordered. That spare is quite hard on the hinges i think.