Gold FFM Paul_D Posted March 18 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 18 A quick question for anybody who has fitted or knows about the rear tow bracket installation. The kit is basically the bracket itself (item 2) and the 'nut plates' (items 4 & 5) https://www.bellandcolvill.co.uk/deroure?qs=1&preview=1&make=1&model=42&groupid=11553 Is there a specific reason why 'nut plates' are used rather than individual nuts? The only thing I can think of is to due with access issues, meaning that holding the nuts while tightening would be too difficult, whereas the nut plate will hold itself once both bolts are loosely threaded inside. I'm thinking of doing this, so any experiences / thoughts are welcomed. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM DH2 Posted March 18 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 18 Hi Paul. Yeah the nut plates make the job easier, as it's a bit buried in the subframe. You could probably make it work with nuts and washers if you really wanted to. Some cars aren't pre-drilled, but most of the later ones usually are. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tactical lizard Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 Would it not be 2a, 3, 4 and 5? thats for the cup 380/430. Think there was another thread on here somewhere and they also talked about getting the correct rear diffuser grille B138U0271F although for the price you could probably just take a dremel to your existing one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted March 18 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 18 @tactical lizard I assumed that the hole locations were the same on 2 and 2a, and if you're retrofitting it you can basically just choose which orientation you prefer. I'm not sure why, but the horizontal strap 380/430 cup part number doesn't seem to come up in any searches to buy. (Deroure says 'contact us' under price) The kits from other suppliers all seem to have the vertical version too. Yep, I was definitely planning on just modifying my existing grill rather than pay for a new one. Part 3 (the actual strap) I believe is a TRS one. Those are available cheaper elsewhere, as well as having a choice of colours. https://www.rivalmotorsport.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=TRS+Fixed+Tow+Strap 1 hour ago, DH2 said: Yeah the nut plates make the job easier, as it's a bit buried in the subframe. You could probably make it work with nuts and washers if you really wanted to. Some cars aren't pre-drilled, but most of the later ones usually are. Cheers Dave. I'm not exactly tight, but £50 each for the nut plates seemed a bit unnecessary if normal nuts and washers will do the job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tactical lizard Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 Yea I think you have assumed correctly, It should be identical. I thought you may have been trying to go for the Cup 430 look with the horizontal strap, but if you're happy with the vertical look then no issues. I would like the horizontal one though, guess I'll have to contact them and ask nicely. Thanks for the link I'll definitely get a cheaper strap when I get around to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted March 18 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 18 @tactical lizard I think you've actually made me change my mind and I would now prefer the horizontal one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFWilliams Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 I used normal nuts, was a pain even with the clam off… but I’m sure it’s still possible with it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted March 18 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 18 I get the impression that it’s the sort of job which requires a swear jar to be nearby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted March 19 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 19 Parts ordered. For info, Part 2a (A138A0505F) has been superseded by A138A0505G, which is why it was hard to find. That part does not have an illustration associated with it. The good news is that the price of that one is only £32+VAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tactical lizard Posted March 20 Report Share Posted March 20 Good sleuthing there, Think i'll get myself one ordered too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted March 20 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 20 @tactical lizard I got the tow strap from this ebay seller in the end: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182760248152 £11.89 including delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XZG420 Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 I'm trying to do this right now with the nut plates and it's painful with restricted access. Did people trim the heat shield a bit to not foul on the passenger side bolt heads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted April 8 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted April 8 @XZG420 I made the engineering decision that both right hand bolts (when looking from the rear) and the bottom left hand bolt would be sufficient. I gave up trying to get the top left hand bolt in, as it was looking like it was going to start raining. I may or may not try again at some point. If the car is in such a state that it needs to be pulled with enough force to break that fixing arrangement then it's probably completely shagged anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XZG420 Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 Do you have any concerns that using the strap on any kind of angle (up/down, left/right) might foul on the grill and in turn put pressure on the diffuser finisher which in my case is carbon fibre. I'm picturing getting yanked out of the sand on an angle and cracking the back of the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Paul_D Posted April 8 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted April 8 It did cross my mind. I sat they pulling the strap at different angles to see how much force it might apply. I came to the conclusion that it would probably be ok assuming that they weren’t try to use it at a very extreme angle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuprapw Posted April 15 Report Share Posted April 15 (edited) On 08/04/2022 at 15:45, XZG420 said: I'm trying to do this right now with the nut plates and it's painful with restricted access. Did people trim the heat shield a bit to not foul on the passenger side bolt heads? I read that people remove one bolt of the heat shield and then bend the heat shield a bit. I will fit it next week Edited April 15 by cuprapw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XZG420 Posted April 15 Report Share Posted April 15 Yep I removed the bolt and bent the shield away to mount the bracket, then bent it all back as much as I could and replaced the bolt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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