5 replies to this topic

[nicollow]

Ive recently bought a CAT D tubby thats seen better days. Having taken (ripped off with brute force!) the front clam off, Ive discovered that the crash box is damaged. Has anyone had experience in repairing it? The damage isnt too bad. Also, how much would it cost to replace? Ive seen they are £400 on eBay but need bonding on?!? Any info would be greatly appreciated Also, thinking of doing a wee blog type thread to document my progress. Would anyone be interested in reading it?

[m4t7y]

IIRC someone on here has bought one of the crashboxes from ebay and says they are OK. I may be wrong. From Vaux the CB's are about £700. They all need bonding in place (no other way to fix them in place). Nobody will recommend repairing it as it is one of the most vital parts in an accident! Good luck with your project and look forward to seeing your progress

[VIX]

They all need bonding in place (no other way to fix them in place). Nobody will recommend repairing it as it is one of the most vital parts in an accident!

[vocky]

the crash box is easy to change, simply cut the old one off, clean up the remaining bonding glue (same as windscreen glue) and reattach the new crashbox. vauxhall sell the bonding kit, which includes the primer, for about £45 the crashbox should never be repaired, it's designed to take the force of a frontal impact, life or death stuff !

Edited by vocky, 30 November 2008 - 09:01 AM.

[nicollow]

the crash box is easy to change, simply cut the old one off, clean up the remaining bonding glue (same as windscreen glue) and reattach the new crashbox.

vauxhall sell the bonding kit, which includes the primer, for about £45

the crashbox should never be repaired, it's designed to take the force of a frontal impact, life or death stuff !

Yeah, youre right. But the damage to it is all on the bottom of it where the clam mounts and not the actual crash structure, ie the crush tubes. Im thinking that the structural integrity of it is completely fine...
Im also a bit worried about alignment/cost/hassle of bonding a new one on. Or maybe I just have a death wish!!

[vocky]

I see what you mean, a decision you will have to make yourself based upon what damage you can see, but remember there may be a hidden crack (or not) a new crashbox is very easy to align, just centre it up on the front chassis member and clamp it until the bonding glue dries.