940 Rear Towing Eye - Metal ?

TheLeeds · Dec 27th, 2018, 03:44

I keep meaning to ask on here, is the rear towing eye on a 940 estate made of metal ?

I tried to fix a solid towing bar onto it once, but it seemed to be coated in plastic. I'm assuming it's really metal underneath, and if so, I'd be tempted to take it off one day and burn the plastic off so it's more easily accessible in the future.

Laird Scooby · Dec 27th, 2018, 07:58

Whatever you do, don't try burning the plastic off!

I was looking at mine recently to try and work out the bolt size for a different, unconnected reason and it appears to be made of some sort of engineering plastic. Many of these are as strong (sometimes stronger!) than steel so it's entirely possible they are in fact made from plastic but the problem is that many of the engineering plastics are highly toxic when burned.

When i say highly toxic, think cyanide gas!

I did manage to attach a proprietary metal draw bar to mine but it was a faff and if memory serves, i had to put the hook on from underneath the eye - counter-intuitive i know but it worked.

Two possible alternatives here - one is buy a secondhand towing bracket that bolts on in place of the towing eye on the drivers side and a similar fixing to the chassis rail on the other side or use the original towing eye as a pattern to fabricate a replacement metal eye to attach a draw-bar.

A third option would be to make a spacer plate, say 6mm or 10mm think and use longer bolts to give a bit more space on top of the towing eye.

TheLeeds · Dec 27th, 2018, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

..........A third option would be to make a spacer plate, say 6mm or 10mm think and use longer bolts to give a bit more space on top of the towing eye.

That's a good idea. I only realized how awkward it was when I tried to tow a broken down landrover with it. Had to use a rope instead.

I won't bother burning it then. Thanks for the tip about that.

bob12 · Dec 27th, 2018, 18:06

When I used my solid tow bar a few years ago on the back of my 1990 745 to 'drag/roll' a couple of breakers out of my yard to make their way to their maker I ended up using a small (but suitable swl) 'nautical' screw 'D' shackle to connect the towing eye to the tow bar. Very simple and worked a treat. Bob.

Dec 27th, 2018, 03:44	#1
TheLeeds Senior Member Last Online: Dec 11th, 2023 12:02 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hants / Sussex	940 Rear Towing Eye - Metal ? I keep meaning to ask on here, is the rear towing eye on a 940 estate made of metal ? I tried to fix a solid towing bar onto it once, but it seemed to be coated in plastic. I'm assuming it's really metal underneath, and if so, I'd be tempted to take it off one day and burn the plastic off so it's more easily accessible in the future. __________________ Recreate a visit to the homeopath by simply drinking some tap water and throwing £50 out of the window

Dec 27th, 2018, 07:58	#2
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:36 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	Whatever you do, don't try burning the plastic off! I was looking at mine recently to try and work out the bolt size for a different, unconnected reason and it appears to be made of some sort of engineering plastic. Many of these are as strong (sometimes stronger!) than steel so it's entirely possible they are in fact made from plastic but the problem is that many of the engineering plastics are highly toxic when burned. When i say highly toxic, think cyanide gas! I did manage to attach a proprietary metal draw bar to mine but it was a faff and if memory serves, i had to put the hook on from underneath the eye - counter-intuitive i know but it worked. Two possible alternatives here - one is buy a secondhand towing bracket that bolts on in place of the towing eye on the drivers side and a similar fixing to the chassis rail on the other side or use the original towing eye as a pattern to fabricate a replacement metal eye to attach a draw-bar. A third option would be to make a spacer plate, say 6mm or 10mm think and use longer bolts to give a bit more space on top of the towing eye. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Dec 27th, 2018, 18:06	#4
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 11:19 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	When I used my solid tow bar a few years ago on the back of my 1990 745 to 'drag/roll' a couple of breakers out of my yard to make their way to their maker I ended up using a small (but suitable swl) 'nautical' screw 'D' shackle to connect the towing eye to the tow bar. Very simple and worked a treat. Bob.

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