GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Carl MK3 GTI 8V on 20 October 2009, 18:34

Title: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Carl MK3 GTI 8V on 20 October 2009, 18:34
Hi to all
New on here but here we go!
Was under the car yday an noticed a bar runnin from one side of the car to the other roughly under the back seats??
Problem was it was only connected on one side!!! The other sides 2 bolts have vanished so its basically not strenghtening the car at all!!
When i went to locate the point were there connected under the interior carpet they cant be found???
Any suggestions how to connect it back up????
Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Mikester on 20 October 2009, 18:49
Im pretty sure i removed this as my exhaust banged on it, haha.

Not had any problems :/
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Carl MK3 GTI 8V on 20 October 2009, 19:01
Ye i no wat ya mean i mite just get rid of it. Save weight if nothing else :grin: :grin:
But in fairness VW didnt put it there for the good of there health it must be der to do something??
Anybody no the name of it???
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Wayne on 20 October 2009, 19:02
Im pretty sure i removed this as my exhaust banged on it, haha.

Not had any problems :/

+1, removed mine all ok.
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Mikester on 20 October 2009, 19:08
i think its more a fail safe if exhaust mounds fail etc.
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: JamesBaby on 20 October 2009, 19:08
It's not for strengthening the car. It's to support the exhaust should it ever break in the middle. If the car is moving forward should this ever happen it could damage the underside, as the exhaust could be forced up into the cabin.
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Carl MK3 GTI 8V on 20 October 2009, 19:23
Nice one for the info it shall be promptly removed so!! :grin:
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: local_boy on 20 October 2009, 20:02
Removed mine by accident, got caught on a bump!  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Len on 20 October 2009, 20:23
Mine got removed when replacing exhaust as the bolts just sheared off!
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: boneybradley on 20 October 2009, 20:24
I fitted mine back on as I liked the noise of twisting metal on speed humps!  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Paul86S2 on 20 October 2009, 22:33
The front one is listed as " reinforcement For the tunnel " I cant find the rear one but I would imagine it will be the same.

It's far too heavy duty to be just as a support if the exhaust breaks, but that will be its secondary function.

The U shaped tunnel will need to be reinforced due to it being a weak spot in the floorpan design.

The bolts are welded on studs which will be why you cant find the head inside the car.

Get it replaced or wait for the chance of your car bending in the middle. At the least it will flex and could eventually cause stress fractures.

Paul
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Wayne on 20 October 2009, 22:45
The front one is listed as " reinforcement For the tunnel " I cant find the rear one but I would imagine it will be the same.

It's far too heavy duty to be just as a support if the exhaust breaks, but that will be its secondary function.

The U shaped tunnel will need to be reinforced due to it being a weak spot in the floorpan design.

The bolts are welded on studs which will be why you cant find the head inside the car.

Get it replaced or wait for the chance of your car bending in the middle. At the least it will flex and could eventually cause stress fractures.

Paul

My guess would be to help with a side impact.
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Mikester on 20 October 2009, 22:51
Best way to fix this?

Cut up the rear floor pan, fit a rear box and a fit a huge prop shaft down the middle.

Sycro ftw babyyyy
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: local_boy on 20 October 2009, 23:19

Get it replaced or wait for the chance of your car bending in the middle. At the least it will flex and could eventually cause stress fractures.


Think thats a bit excessive, can't see it being substancial enough to cause that much of an issue, Especially as the boot floor & the rear subframe would be taking up a lot more of the torsional stresses.
Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: Paul86S2 on 20 October 2009, 23:49

Get it replaced or wait for the chance of your car bending in the middle. At the least it will flex and could eventually cause stress fractures.


Think thats a bit excessive, can't see it being substancial enough to cause that much of an issue, Especially as the boot floor & the rear subframe would be taking up a lot more of the torsional stresses.
I did say chance.

Take a flat piece of metal add a u shape in the middle, a wheel at each corner, and weight in the middle and its going to flex in the middle. More so than a flat piece of metal.

The cross member is a weighty bit of metal with enough bends in it to make it very strong. Its got to be there for a good reason.

As I said the front one is called "reinforcement for tunnel" I'm sure VW wouldn't put it there if it didn't have a valid purpose. Its not there for performance or comfort so it must be for safety.

Paul

Title: Re: Underside strenghtening bar???
Post by: VR6-Joe on 20 October 2009, 23:57
I thought they were there to catch on speedbumps and make everybody look? :evil: