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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Tow down eyelets question
In the last six weeks my truck had to be winched onto a platform recovery truck twice after first a loose pipe and later a clutch which gave the ghost. In both cases the winch hook was fixed to the frontal left side tow down eyelet which I know is not to be used for serious recovery, but which apparently is good enough for simple on road towing or winching onto a platform truck.
Just now inspecting the eyelet that was used, I noticed that it can be easily turned back and forth by hand in its position in the front steering guard. The similar eyelet on the right hand side which was not used is pretty much fixed in its position, can surely not be turned by hand. I then noticed that the bolt which holds the tow down eyelet into the chassis rail has about 5 mm play, and can be pushed back and forth easily.
My question is, is this 5mm play normal? Is it meant to be like that, possibly fixed at the other end of the chassis rail by a threadlocked nut? (this is invisible for me as that side of the chassis rail is hidden behind the steering guard). Or should this bolt be tight against the chassis rail and is in my case something loosening up?
I think it probably is meant to be like this, as the bolt for the other unused eyelet has the same 5mm play.
Anybody can confirm one way or the other please?
Eric

Here a few pics I took

Tow down eyelet in the most rearward position

Click image to enlarge


Same pushed easily in the most forward position

Click image to enlarge


View of the bolt holding the eyelet with its 5mm play

Click image to enlarge
 You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #658533 20th Oct 2017 9:52am
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ibexman



Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: kent
Posts: 2871

United Kingdom 
Nip it up a bit
Post #658537 20th Oct 2017 10:01am
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Impossible without taking the steering guard off.
Question is if it is possibly meant to be like this since both sides are the same. Possibly to allow some turning into the needed position of these eyelets when used for towing or for tying down the truck. Question Question Question
Anybody can check theirs?
Thanks, Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #658540 20th Oct 2017 10:21am
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rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 2194

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
Bolts should be tight. If there is insufficient thread on the bolt then whoever fitted the guard used the wrong bolts.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread


Mobile Diesel Heater Build Thread
Post #658541 20th Oct 2017 10:25am
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X4SKP



Member Since: 29 Nov 2013
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2284

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Hello ericvv

Yes should be tight... but recovery (winching on-to Flat Bed) at an angle i.e. not 'in-line' will often 're-orientate' these.

Yours are a loose fit, on a Bolt that should not be loose, if it needs a washer (or two) then add this in.

I have a Terrafirma Steering Guard (yours look different) but is is possible on mine to get to these bolts
without taking this off.

I suggest maybe look to see if removing the central grill gives you the access needed...here's a few photos
and Grill Off Access to these Bolts looks OK...

Tow (Tie Down) Eyelet...

Click image to enlarge


Front Grill Off...

Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


Good Luck... SKIP
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic83242.html
Post #658548 20th Oct 2017 11:17am
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Post #658556 20th Oct 2017 12:03pm
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Looks like youre going to get your hands dirty Eric !!
Post #658696 21st Oct 2017 7:04am
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Post #658734 21st Oct 2017 12:38pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
Do NOT repeat do NOT be tempted to use a lash down eye for offroad recovery. This is what happens to a lash down eye used in offroad recovery.


Click image to enlarge


The shackle pin can move in the lash down eye to inline with the direction of the strap. This can put a twisting moment on the eye

A lash down eye is held onto chassis by one 10mm bolt. Using a bridle between two lash down eyes and there is a component force inwards which is likely to bend the lash down eye.

The recovery eyes on most steering guards have holes just big enough for the shackle pin. The brackets for the steering guards are likely to be made from 8-10 mm mild steel and held on my two 10mm bolts.


Brendan
Post #658819 21st Oct 2017 7:36pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
bpman wrote:
Looks like you�re going to get your hands dirty Eric !!


No need for that after all. Cool

SVX was at dealer today for a full fluids change. engine oil and filter, gear and transfer box oils, the two diffs oils, two sachets one shot grease at those front steering balls (not sure about the english name for those, in french called les moyeux), a full greasing job, new batteries for the remotes, etc. They also retightened those two lash down eyelets, have seen them do it, and actually access is not that bad at all. Surely no need to take the steering guard plate off.
For those interested, cost of all above came to equivalent of £600 from our first class main Geneva dealer. Not too bad for Switzerland I think.
Eric You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #693796 16th Mar 2018 4:57pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19449

United Kingdom 
Doesn't sound too bad a price Eric. Thumbs Up

Those lashing points on mine, are present but I pushed them back so they are against the chassis and not available to use so to speak.
When mine went on the recovery truck a few years ago with my clutch they weren't used then either, lashed down in another way I think.

They certainly aren't suitable for recovery, nor designed for it and I'm not a fan of Jate rings either for that matter. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧


Last edited by custom90 on 16th Mar 2018 8:07pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #693800 16th Mar 2018 5:25pm
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williamthedog



Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Tamar Blue
They were removed by myself when I fitted a steering guard with recovery eyes built in. Since then I've fitted a Devon 4x4 heavy-duty bumper with recovery eyes as well, so I'm spoilt for choice Thumbs Up
Post #693849 16th Mar 2018 7:55pm
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zsd-puma



Member Since: 09 Aug 2016
Location: Kent
Posts: 2720

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Quote:
When mine went on the recovery truck a few years ago with my clutch they weren't used then either, lashed down in another way I think.


Most 'recovery' trucks use wheel strops for lashing, because they're easier and universal to any vehicle.

The lashing points (which most cars have) are only really used when on a multi vehicle transporter.
Post #693891 16th Mar 2018 9:41pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19449

United Kingdom 
^^^^ Yes, I think that was what he did do at the time come to think of it.

I would imagine the factory lashing points are used as you say on transport @ delivery.
Thumbs Up Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #693897 16th Mar 2018 9:58pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Wheel strops for lashing, correct, as the picture shows. But this gent here last summer used one of those standard eyelets to winch the truck onto the lowered platform. I don’t think that can cause any harm as it is slow action on a not even steep incline, and without any resistance, so no extreme force on the chassis. Merely 2T free wheeling.
By the way, this situation here was merely because of a hose that had popped off. It shows the value of a good European wide Road Assistance subscription as the total cost to our Swiss TCS for this occasion was more than 2500 CHF. First this French truck here removing it from the French péage to a secure storage, then the Swiss TCS sending another truck to recuperate it and bring back to my Geneva dealer, plus a taxi and rental car to bring the Mrs. and me back home.
Eric

Click image to enlarge
 You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #693929 17th Mar 2018 5:57am
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