What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

[kiv7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kiv7]

Hi There,

I have these pieces of steel rid, about 3mm thick sticking out front inspection holes in my prado's, right near the chassis. Problem is, the rattle like a musical triangle.. drive me mad. They're attached to something solid inside, you can't just pull em out. One on each side.

Big question is, what the hell are they..?

My mates Prado doesn't have them. I have a TJM Bullbar, I was thinking perhaps part of the fitting kit for that or something like that..?

does anyone else have these..? 2005 model Prado.

Images..:

[Seththecursed Member Find all posts View Profile Close Seththecursed]

Re: What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

Suspect they are used to assist fitting of bullbar. Have seen them used on other genuine bullbar fitting kits (Other vehicle make). They are usually fixed to nuts so you can hold them in place while you fit the bolt through if the nut has to go somewhere you can't fit your hand. If you can confirm this i would just cut them off as close to the nut as you can.

[kiv7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kiv7]

Re: What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

Ok, that sounds correct. SO what is the NORMAL process - just cut them off or ?? is that Nut inside the chassis rail - so that when the bar is on, you can't get access to the nut any more, so the only option is to cut it off??

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

Yup, I have the TJM bar too and yes these rods sticking out. I just bent them flush (or thereabouts) which solved the problem.

Scott Buttler, ex-TJM now with 4WD Action Mag installed mine, so next time I see him I will ask him what the story is.

Cheers
Andy

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

Yep, bullbar fitting, I would just stuff some rubber in the hole to dampen it. that way if you ever need to remove it you can.

[kiv7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kiv7]

Re: What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

I tried twisting the things around as much as I can.. I can't get them off - any ideas..?

[kiv7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kiv7]

Re: What is this wire sticking out for? - suspension/chassis

Well, I rang the place that fitted them - Geelong TJM and they confirmed what they were. I did feel like having that 'do you know how long they have been hissing me off for' or the 'did I pay you a fitting fee, which includes removing your tools when you're done" discussion... but.. generally I find them quite helpful.

after speaking with them I decided to cut them off - so pulled as much out as I could, then cut off with HD cutter - they're thick, but soft steel. Then I pushed the rest back into the chassis box section where it could not touch the walls.

TO CONFIRM : these little exposed rods are bits of soft steel which the fitting guys weld onto the back of a bolt which comes out, from inside the chassis. Once they put the BBar on there is no way they can get access to the head of the bolt hence the piece of welded on steel - would be nice if they could remove it after the job is done, as it is a bloody horrible noise, especially on rough roads!

just took the Prado for a hammering on rough corrugated roads and it's like a new car.. and, I'm now super in love with my new bilsteins all 'round.

All good.. thanks to those who replied.