Bolt or weld?

[lambert]

Just got a standard fit bash plate as a previous owner lost the last one. All the bolts that hold it on are sheared off flush with the frame. So do i mess about with the pistol drill and taps and clean them out or do i say can't be bothered and weld it on?

[Terranosaurus]

Lambert if you weld it on you won't be able to get to change your diff oil, ARB bushes etc etc, mine sheared the rear ones, it's bolted on at the front and cable tied up at the back, keep meaning to sort it but you know how it is.

[lambert]

Suppose i had best get the drill out then.

[justinmud]

Ive got an L reg terrano and mine is all plastic underneath ? so am thinking of fabricating a steel one  :D

[Terranosaurus]

Ive got an L reg terrano and mine is all plastic underneath ? so am thinking of fabricating a steel one  :D

The metal bit goes from under the rad to the engine cross member.

Picture of one HERE

[lambert]

Had a better idea, weld some bolts over the old ones head first then use nuts to hold bash plate!

[Boggert]

Bolt bolt bolt all the time, at least it can be removed for maintenance.

[justinmud]

Nope mine has nothing like that just  black plastic and that is tie wrapped on so i must fabricate something  :shock:

[Range Rover Blues]

Welding can be brittle and is certainly less flexible than bolts, as the Japanese found out to their cost when thei battleships started sinking so I'm told.

Anyway, I'd avoid welding something like the bash plate as it's a sacrificial part and subject to some abuse.

[lambert]

tis all done up now.

as the old bolts would not allow themselves to be removed by drill without the aid of a ramp, i have welded on some bolts over the top of them and used nuts to attatch the bash plate soas to facilitate its easy removal.

if i hit it hard enough on a bit of the planet to bring it off then i can just re weld the bolts back on. :idea:  :D

[Terranosaurus]

Double nut it and then cut the bolts off flush otherwise they'll get damaged/bent and you still won't be able to get the guard off.