Tub Accident

Not had the chance to do much on the 109 recently apart from attach most of the bulkhead fittings (door stays, windscreen fittings, etc) due to a fuel leak and then failed vacuum pump on the RRC, and a badly blown head gasket and damaged cooling system on the Cavalier.

The tub has been resting on 4 axle stands on the driveway for the last few weeks. It was knocked over by a car yesterday, causing the axle stands to collapse. This resulted in some damage to the rear cappings and sides.

The left capping was bent on its lower 1″, pressing the rear wing inwards. The right capping was bent in an “S” fashion where material was removed to fit the circular Defender fog light. Both have been repaired today, and the only visible remaining damage is to the right skin, which has a very small crease just ahead of the capping. This will be covered by the chequer plate when re-fitted, so thankfully is of little consequence.

This accident has highlighted the vulnerability of this area of bodywork, and having previously dismissed the idea of fitting rear corner protection, I have just bought a pair of Defender protectors. They are made of 5mm steel, heavily galvanised, and will tie-in nicely with the appearance of the side sills. They were made by the original designer of these protectors, before they were copied by Scorion and others, but are of the same general design.

At least this happened before the tub was painted or fitted, and was a relatively easy lesson to prompt me to fit these items. The added benefit is that I had been scratching my head as to where to fit the 4 reversing sensors such that they wouldn’t be triggered by the spare wheel or NATO hitch – I’ll be fitting them to the outboard coners of each protector and outboard edges of the twin rear step.