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:

[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



Erich