Reinforcement Strut for Tow Hitches
Reinforcement strut for tow hitches
Reinforcement strut for tow hitches
Points 1 and 2 apply to 5 cylinder petrol engines
- Release the rubber mounting for the rear silencer from the bracket on the underneath of the right-hand side member
- Remove the screws securing the bracket at the side member. There are new screws in the kit
- Remove the bracket (2) and collision plate (1), if present. The collision plate will be used again, but place the bracket to one side. The new bracket is integrated in the reinforcement strut
- Also remove the left-hand bracket in the same way.
- Mark for drilling the position of the hole for the central screw for the reinforcement strut. The mark must be made in the heat deflection plate, opposite the centre weld nut on the underneath of the right-hand side member
- Pre-drill the hole in the heat deflector plate using a small drill bit. Then enlarge the hole using a 10 mm (25/64") drill bit
- Smooth off the hole edge and brush away any swarf. Ensure that the edge is even and that no panel has bent
- Also drill a hole in the heat deflector plate at the left-hand side member in the same way.
Illustration A
Points 3 and 4 apply to cars with four cylinder petrol engines and diesel engines
- Detach the rubber mounting for the tail pipe from the bracket on the underneath of the left-hand side member.
Illustration B
- Remove the screw and the collision plate (if present) from underneath the left-hand side member
- Place the screw to one side. There are new screws in the kit. The collision plate will be reused.
- Mark for drilling the position of the hole for the central screw for the reinforcement strut. The mark must be made in the heat deflection plate, opposite the centre weld nut on the underneath of left-hand side member
- Pre-drill the hole in the heat deflector plate using a small drill bit. Then enlarge the hole using a 10 mm (25/64") drill bit
- Smooth off the hole edge and brush away any swarf. Ensure that the edge is even and that no panel has bent
- Also drill a hole in the heat deflector plate at the right-hand side member in the same way.
Applies to Installation Instructions 8682344, 8682346 and 8685638
- Take the holder for the tow hitch and mounting, two M14x110 flanged screws and two flange nuts from the kit. Install the holder on the L-profile as illustrated.
Note! Do not tighten fully yet.
- Take six flanged screws, washers and the reinforcement strut from the kit. Install the brackets for the reinforcement strut on the underneath of the side members. Use screws and washers. The collision plate (if present) is reinstalled outermost on the right-hand side.
Note! Do not tighten fully yet.
- Take four M10x25 screws from the kit. Install the other end of the reinforcement strut on the reverse of the panel flange, in the lower edge of the car body
- Alternately tighten the four M10 screws for the L-profile, so that the L-profile is correctly positioned against both sides of the collision member Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lbf. ft.)
- Tighten the four M10 screws in the panel flange at the bottom edge of the car body. Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lbf. ft.)
- Tighten the two M14 screws through the spacer pipe. Tighten to 200 Nm (147 lbf. ft.)
- Tighten the screws in the new brackets for the rear silencer mountings. Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lbf. ft.). There is limited space to torque tighten the centre screw (1) in the new brackets, use socket P/N 9814011 with a 3/8" socket extension
- Reinstall the rubber mountings on the brackets.
- Continue to point 6 in the Installation Instructions for the tow hitch.
Applies to Installation Instructions 8682349
- Take the towing ball holder and mounting, two M14x110 flanged screws and two flange nuts from the kit
- Install the holder on the L-profile together with the bracket and the electrical connector. Ensure that the bracket is on the left-hand side of the holder and that its front edge (1) is parallel with the front edge of the holder (2).
Note! Do not tighten fully yet.
- Take six flanged screws, washers and the reinforcement strut from the kit. Install the brackets for the reinforcement strut on the underneath of the side members. Use screws and washers. The collision plate (if present) is reinstalled outermost on the right-hand side.
Note! Do not tighten fully yet.
- Take four M10x25 screws from the kit. Install the other end of the reinforcement strut on the reverse of the panel flange, in the lower edge of the car body
- Alternately tighten the four M10 screws for the L-profile, so that the L-profile is correctly positioned against both sides of the collision member Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lbf. ft.)
- Tighten the four M10 screws in the panel flange at the bottom edge of the car body. Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lbf. ft.)
- Tighten the two M14 screws through the spacer pipe. Tighten to 200 Nm (147 lbf. ft.)
- Tighten the screws in the new brackets for the rear silencer mountings. Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lbf. ft.). There is limited space to torque tighten the centre screw (1) in the new brackets, use socket P/N 9814011 with a 3/8" socket extension
- Reinstall the rubber mountings on the brackets.
- Continue to point 7 in the Installation Instructions for the tow hitch.