Unsafe bull bars

[Longtimer]

G'Day Gents,

I was stuck in a bit of a mud hole yesterday, and had to be pulled to get me going again. The pull was just a straight pull from the shackle attached to the designated point on my ARB Delux Bull Bar. It wasn't a very hard pull, but it flexed the top of the bar backward (towards my panels) about 15mm according to the onlookers. No shock loading or anything.....

Through looking at it, it seems that there are maybe 2 bolts either side holding it onto the end of some brackets. The brackets seem to be only bolted to the top plate of the chassis.... And there are spacer plates between the bar's mounts and the brackets....

Is this common???

If I had a winch attached to it, and did some serious winching, I reckon I would have dented panels and a stuffed chassis. And probably no bull bar.
With the way it is, I would be claiming insurance for panel replacement if I hit a roo..... Supplied and fitted by ARB (or agent) on behalf of the LR dealer.

Has anyone else looked at modifying their bar to give it some actual strength in it's attachment to the chassis?
My D1 has a pressed channel section that goes over the chassis and bolts through the chassis horizontally. Also an ARB bar. So am mystified by the difference in serviceability.


Phill. (who's very disgruntled)

[weeds]

some photos will help

[Summiitt]

Check out my post in what did you do to your puma today, my delux bar did go back into the guards and front grille after a really big hit with 2 Roos at once..You should have bolts both down thru the chassis and bolts horizontal thru the chassis.

[Rolly]

Hi Phill,

I'm hoping your deluxe bull bar is different from mine. When I contacted ARB prior to fitting the BB and asked "where the attachment points for shackles, they replied that it doesn't have any!.
My solution was via APT steering guard as it has dedicated attachment points.

Not the answer you were looking for I know, however I thought I'd pass it on.

Cheers

Rolly

[cuppabillytea]

I've wondered about those recovery points. I haven't used them yet, but I have winched hard enough to drag the more than 2 Ton 110 Defender with all wheels locked, without flexing the bar.

[Bytemrk]

As Rolly points out.... just because there are rings on a bull bar, doesn't make then recovery points.

Might be worth asking ARB.

I am sure a few defender owners will chip in... but if I owned a defender I'd fit jate rings and carry a bridle for front recovery.

[Bytemrk]

Longtimer,

Is this the ARB Bar that you have?..



I notice here: ARB 4?4 Accessories | Frontal Protection - ARB 4x4 Accessories

They describe: " Integrates durable tow points in the Hi-Lift jack recesses"

Which, I believe, means not designed for a snatch


Also from your description - it doesn't sound like its fitted properly - they should not flex like that.

As I said, I don't own a defender.... but every other Land Rover ARB Bull Bar that I have touched has had 2 bolts horizontally through the chassis plus one vertical. Are you sure nothing is loose under there?

[Slunnie]

Longtimer,

Is this the ARB Bar that you have?..



I notice here: ARB 4?4 Accessories | Frontal Protection - ARB 4x4 Accessories

They describe: " Integrates durable tow points in the Hi-Lift jack recesses"

Which, I believe, means not designed for a snatch


Also from your description - it doesn't sound like its fitted properly - they should not flex like that.

I understood the change in terminology from recovery points to tow points many years ago was due to people using stupid recovery methods and then blaming the bar and ARB for failures. Keep in mind that the bars are well designed and are more than capable of withstanding a double line winch from the biggest winch you can get in there. It however is probably not designed to be snatched with a chain and a tractor.

Also, my bar was loose and rotated also. The crush cans (Defender may not have these) subsequently cracked from the movement. ARB Orange noted the and remounted the bar to prevent movement and correct the angle - not sure how sorry.

[p38arover]

If you are talking about those holes at the bottom of the bull bar on the fore-aft strakes of metal (see pic), they are not recovery points.

[weeds]

You should have bolts both down thru the chassis and bolts horizontal thru the chassis.

Yep.....three bolts either side from memory.