TJM Bullbar hitting plastic inserts

[Fossey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Fossey]

We had our 2011VX back to the local TJM (4hrs away) twice after the T13 had dropped impacting the infill panel as per your photo. Two months later it had dropped again so I contacted TJM head office. After sending requested photos it turned out the initial 'fitter' hadn't pinned(bolted) the bar to the winch carrier. The issue hadn't been picked up by the subsequent techs. Have now had a new bar and infill panel fitted at TJM franchisee's expense although I'm still out of pocket for travelling and accommodation. Bar movement had also caused inner guard tearing which were also replaced. Bar hasn't moved since although have only done highway kms.

If this turns out to be your problem please make sure you check the chassis mounting brackets as when replaced after my first return back, originals were both bent and cracked with sloughed out bolt holes. Two bolts had snapped due to movement.

I like the TJM bar for it's better approach angle compared to the ARB product and this post is not intended to be a TJM bashing exercise as I've had just as much trouble with ARB products on a previous vehicle.

[Gogetter Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gogetter]

Don't know if this helps, I have a ARB and in the top right of the picture you can see it comes very close to the body.
ARB put a plastic rubbery strip along the cutting, this works well as where its close it some times touches, but because its a soft rubber it doesnt do any damage to either. Maybe something like this would work?

[SuperDavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close SuperDavid]

Some progress, TJM don't know why the bullbar is hitting. They have talked to tjm head office and they say if the paint is bubbling off the bar as a result, they will replace with a new bar. So I guess that's good. Bit more mucking around but I'm glad they are willing to replace the bar. Just waiting for tjm head office to look at the pictures to confirm bar replacement

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

Some progress, TJM don't know why the bullbar is hitting. They have talked to tjm head office and they say if the paint is bubbling off the bar as a result, they will replace with a new bar. So I guess that's good. Bit more mucking around but I'm glad they are willing to replace the bar. Just waiting for tjm head office to look at the pictures to confirm bar replacement

Can I ask, have you had the vehicle since new?

[SuperDavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close SuperDavid]

yes, had it since new, TJM did the bullbar, snorkel, dual batteries, suspension and spotties just after I had done 10,000 in it.

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

yes, had it since new, TJM did the bullbar, snorkel, dual batteries, suspension and spotties just after I had done 10,000 in it.

And I presume then its never been in an accident.

[V1SHRNZ Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close V1SHRNZ]

Have you had any issues with the rest of the gear and figment?

Will be interested to know how the new bar goes.

How many kms on the current bar before you noticed the rust?

[SuperDavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close SuperDavid]

No never had an accident.

Yeah there have been a few issues..

[Pearl150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pearl150]

Just had a look at mine and not a mark on it. Must be the correct measurement. Been on for two years and done extensive off road work. Not every day of course, but been through the high country and on the PP GTG 2014. Done boys weekends in the Brindabellas and Yalwal etc. Towed camper in low range situations etc. No marks. I must say it took ages to get in the correct position though, before fitting the last two bolts. Cheers

[SuperDavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close SuperDavid]

thanks! seems like these guys just need to figure out what the right position is!

[SuperDavid Member Find all posts View Profile Close SuperDavid]

The bullbar has been replaced! Its only been a few days, but so far so good, no touching on the plastic inserts. I havn't been offroad though.
They even gave me a loan car, which was a big help and very good of them and the new bullbar came with LED indicators and park lights which is a nice upgrade from what was on the old bar.

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

what is this "painted plastic insert" that you refer to ? I have a 2014 GXL with TJM bar and there are no inserts. they just cut the original plastic bar and fitted the steel bar.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Pre facelift used inserts to avoid cutting the front bar. TJM have now realised this was more effort than it was worth and have gone to a bumper cut on the facelift.

[Early Member Find all posts View Profile Close Early]

While scrounging around under the car, I discovered that anyone handy with a spanner can loosen some bolts and realise the bullbar can move forward, back, up and down up to 2cm. Most bullbars have some slotted bolt holes to allow you to position bullbar properly, or increase approach angle by a few degrees
And just as you retighten wheel nuts after 500km after changing a wheel, so should the bullbar bolts.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

I've already had issues with rust on the middle bash plate that goes on the underside of the bar, TJM gave me a replacement plate though. I've also got a very small patch of rust on part of the winch cradle, must remember to chase them up on that as they were supposed to call me back about it.

That is interesting, all the bash plates on my one are badly rusted, more rust now than paint but the main bull bar remains OK
I will see if they want to replace them for me too? At the time I could not get an ARB one so went TJM but I would not be in a hurry to repeat that.