Bash Plate Foam Inserts

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Does anyone know what purpose these things serve other than to catch and conceal mud and rocks from each off-road excursion?

No amount of water whilst washing would get rid of the mud built-up under the foam inserts after my last adventure. I ended up dropping both plates and removed the inserts in order to properly clean the things. I am considering leaving them out all together. I would imagine that those beach-goers would face a fair chance of promoting rust in this area as it can't be properly cleaned without removal.

Somewhere else in this forum someone mentioned the fact that the foam would catch any oil that was dropped down underneath the engine but there is only so much oil that the foam could contain. Ideas?

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

I, for one, have no idea what foam you are talking about. Any chance of a picture or two?

I had no foam attached to any of my factory bash plates either of the two front ones, or the one on the main tank...


Mick

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

Black on top, white underneath with a egg-carton like plastic spacer to lift the foam up in some places. It's a bit like a thin foam blanket. I'll get the camera out and try to get some shots.

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

I've got the same gear, but mine is now brown. I tried to get all the mud out of it, but it's damn near impossible without wasting 1000 litres of water on it. I'm curious about this too if any body can help. I'll try and get some pics for you to look at MickL, but don't have a chance til probably Monday.

Cheers,
AJ

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

I've had to drop my bashplates and remove the "egg cartons" to get all the crud out ofter some of the WA mud missions.
I did wonder what purpose they serve other than to trap mud, but I've always just put them back in.

Leachy

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

I'll try and get some pics for you to look at MickL

That would be great. I'l quite curious as to what they are.

My theory is they are some sort of acoustic material fitted to later models or D4D's to improve NVH.


Mick

[andrewh Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andrewh]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

I suspect these are only fitted to the D4Ds and they are part of the noise supression gear.

[Steve & Sandra Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve & Sandra]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

i removed mine after they added 20 kilos of weight when wet and full of mud. They proved difficult to clean out. So in the bin they went and the car is no louder than before. Next time you go and play remove the bash plates and feel the weight before and after removing the foam, you will be pleasantly surprised.
Cheers
Steve

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

That would be great. I'l quite curious as to what they are.

My theory is they are some sort of acoustic material fitted to later models or D4D's to improve NVH.


Mick

Picutres as promised mate. I think you're spot on with your theory as I cannot see any other purpose for their existance.



As you can see by the blue arrow here on the close up, there is no shortage of sh!t and crud that builds up in here. If it's purely for NVH reasons, then it's getting ripped out when I get a chance, which is hopefully when I'm fitting some proper bash plates

All that build up of snot is still there after giving it a huge hosing when I got back from Loveday too, you just can't get rid of it!



Cheers,
AJ

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

Mmmm... rust magnet if you ask me.

Not fitted to Petrols or previous 1KZ diesel.


Mick

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

That's interesting. I just went and had a look at mine. They are there, but you have to look carefully to see them: don't look anything like the photo - they are thin, like furry tyvec or something. Mine haven't been dunked properly yet, maybe they swell when wet?

Anyway, I'd lose them. I can't imagine any useful function other than premature rusting.

Michael

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

they are thin, like furry tyvec or something

I'd say in it's original state its the same sound proofing material that's on the bottom of the bonnet. Get it soaking wet a few times and add mud and it all turns to snot.


Mick

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Bash Plate Foam Inserts

Those photos are not what is under mine. Mine is much thinner - probably only 3 - 4mm. Black on top and white (muddy orange) underneath.

I think I will toss them next time I remove the plates after off-road excursion.