 | Home > Technical > Tow down eyelets question |
 
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816   
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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 |
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20th Oct 2017 9:52am |
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| ibexman Member Since: 13 Dec 2008 Location: Essex Posts: 2956 
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Nip it up a bit
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20th Oct 2017 10:01am |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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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. 
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 |
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20th Oct 2017 10:21am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2238 
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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 |
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20th Oct 2017 10:25am |
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| X4SKP Member Since: 29 Nov 2013 Location: Berkshire Posts: 2296 
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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 |
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20th Oct 2017 11:17am |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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Thanks all advise. Will see how I can access the other side to nip up.
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 |
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20th Oct 2017 12:03pm |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069
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Looks like you’re going to get your hands dirty Eric !!
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21st Oct 2017 7:04am |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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^^ That,....... or I let Philippe from you know where do it.
 
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 |
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21st Oct 2017 12:38pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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No need for that after all. 
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 |
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16th Mar 2018 4:57pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20612
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Doesn't sound too bad a price Eric.
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. Chillin In The Backwoods🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⛽ï¸ðŸ›¢ï¸âš™ï¸ðŸ§°ðŸ’ª Last edited by custom90 on 16th Mar 2018 8:07pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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16th Mar 2018 5:25pm |
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| williamthedog Member Since: 29 Dec 2012 Location: south wales Posts: 3441 
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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
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16th Mar 2018 7:55pm |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720 
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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. |
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16th Mar 2018 9:41pm |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20612
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^^^^ 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. Chillin In The Backwoods🇬🇧🇺🇸
⛽ï¸ðŸ›¢ï¸âš™ï¸ðŸ§°ðŸ’ª |
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16th Mar 2018 9:58pm |
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| ericvv Member Since: 02 Jun 2011 Location: Near the Jet d'Eau Posts: 5816
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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 |
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17th Mar 2018 5:57am |
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