Cracked radiator support panels due to Bulbar

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

Hi all. For some reason I saved this page from an old 4WD monthly magazine. My 120 GXL V6 was recently involved in an accident and the Souvereign bar needs to be replaced. The problem is Toyota can only deliver a new one by November as the last batch was rejected and they are waiting for new ones. I settled with AAMI who will pay me out the cost of the Toyota bar and I will fit my own aftermarket bar.
Has anybody expereinced damage to their radiator support panels after fitting a steel front bar?

This is what my old bar looks like

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

Re: Cracked radiator support panels due to Bulbar

You should have got a decent payout for the sovereign bar.... about $3200.00 or more + fitting.

This will get you a new ARB bar, with HID lights, fitting, and some left over for whatever.
The cracking was caused by aftermarket installers over tightening front chassis/body mounts to try to stop the bars moving independently from the body. As the bar is mounted to the chassis, this was a bad move and caused the cracking, as the front mounts were not moving as much as the rear body mounts. In this situation, something has to give, which turned out to be the sheet metal around the front guards/engine bay.

Mention the issue to the fitter at ARB.... (I am sure they will already be aware of the bad install issue) and all should be fine.

Lucky bugger IMO. I wish I had your problem.
I am stuck with the alloy bar.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Cracked radiator support panels due to Bulbar

I am stuck with the alloy bar.

Go run into something.

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

Re: Cracked radiator support panels due to Bulbar

The payout was not that much - $2200 + GST + the cost of the new install which is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, enough for the new ARB bar.
Thanks for explaining the cracking issue to me. I will make sure the supplier (Mannell Motors) are aware of it.
The only downside is I will be without wheels and stuck in the city for 5-6 weeks while the ARB bar is on backorder and it needs to be painted the same dark green as the car.
My wife says I'm already walking around like a trapped animal. We had caming trips planned for the next 2 weeks and a road trip to Brisbane for the inbetween week. All plans had to be cancelled.