I'm about to remove the rear crash bar and add a towbar but can't recall whether the bolts (three each side) have torx or 12 point spline heads.

 

Anyone know? If so, what size (of torn or spline)?

 

I don't need to know how big the bolts are, just the tool that is needed to remove them.

 

I want to have everything in place before I remove the bumper and start adding the bar and wiring and will probably need to get a socket bit to fit.

torx as I recall! could be open ended spanner, definitely not 12 spline!

Thanks.

 

The listed replacement bolts are hex head / spanner, but the ones fitted from factory are either torn or spline. I'll get some suitable torx bits in.

 

Any idea what size?

Thanks.

 

The listed replacement bolts are hex head / spanner, but the ones fitted from factory are either torn or spline. I'll get some suitable torx bits in.

 

Any idea what size?

Don't the fitting instructions say what tools are needed? Skoda are usually very precise about things like that.

 

Fred

The instructions detail the fitting of the tower, but not the removal of the crash bar - possibly because there may be different bolts used depending upon what they had available.

 

I don't know if that belief is justified or not, but the replacement bolts listed by Skoda are hex head bolts, not torx/spline.

There's three one side, four the other. Looking at a picture I took during installation they look like internal hex types. (Image compression may rob some detail, but the full-res image looks like hex).

There's three one side, four the other. Looking at a picture I took during installation they look like internal hex types. (Image compression may rob some detail, but the full-res image looks like hex).

Did my tow bar last week, and definitely torx, you will need to replace the 7 screws back into the holes on the car, I also put some waxoyl on the threads of these screws and on the head, so hopefully won't rust or leak.

Getting a torque wrench into the space behind the wheel arch splash guards is possible without having to undo it, but a bit tight for space.

Loose fit all fixing bolts and then tighten each a little as you go..

Mine was a Towsure, and looked totally different to the one in the picture.

Getting the painted plastic upper bumper bolt panel ( below the light cluster) off, is a struggle if you want to avoid scratching it, I found it very easy once the light clusters were removed, as you could then see what you are doing.

I wonder, how resilient the painted plastic rear bumper is, when compressed with another car during bad parking.

Without the original crash bar, first contact will be on any sticky out bits of the tow bar steel work.

Now there is a gap of nearly 2" that the plastic bumper has to deform before contact with the tow bar steel work, will the bumper take this abuse, as in some places, parking for some, is a contact sport. ! ! !

Maybe fixed tow bars are the right way to go after all.

On all my other cars, people tend to take extra care and avoid my rearward facing steel work.

Now here is a technical question.

Can the tow bar be used as a jacking point, not that much weight on the back, after all I have seen many a caravan topple where when the caravan is on its side, the rear of the car has been lifted off the road.

Clealy different forces involved to normal towing, but I would have thought the mounting point would be fairly strong.

Lifting the car with the tow bar would be a big no-no, far too heavy, I would say. Apart from anything else, if you wanted to do it just think what the maximum nose weight[about 80kg from memory] is for the tow bar, and the horrendous possibilities if the tow bar failed later as a result

As for the torx bolts, unfortunately I cant remember the size, but they were very tight, I remember, needing  a torx bit with a 1/2" drive and a ratchet to move them. They were stuck with underbody protection goo.

Thanks - I still have not got the Torx I need (and it has been rather cold) so I have not done this yet.

 

Does anyone know what size Torx I need to get?

 

The online parts catalogue say that it is a hex head! So that's useless.

 

I've looked at the pictures I took as I removed the bumper for cutting the cutout and they are definitely Torx.

 

I don't want to get a set of Torx sockets as I doubt I'll use them again and only have 3/8" socket set (not 1/2" I'm afraid).

Thanks - I still have not got the Torx I need (and it has been rather cold) so I have not done this yet.

 

Does anyone know what size Torx I need to get?

 

The online parts catalogue say that it is a hex head! So that's useless.

 

I've looked at the pictures I took as I removed the bumper for cutting the cutout and they are definitely Torx.

 

I don't want to get a set of Torx sockets as I doubt I'll use them again and only have 3/8" socket set (not 1/2" I'm afraid).

Got some if you want to borrow.

Got some if you want to borrow.

That sounds brilliant. Thank you.

Not sure when I'll be doing the towbar, probably not until Easter, so I'll get in touch nearer the time.

No problem, let me know.

Used them for the Octavia bar, 3/8 drive as well.

Will do. Thanks again.