why i hate Undertrays - Page 6

steve-45 · 19th December 2015, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcarguy

I have the original fittings on mine and it comes off every year for the annual service, the first two years on ramps was a tad awkward but since then on a two poster and it's off in 30 seconds and replaced in less than a minute and I have never had a problem with it coming loose. I use a palm ratchet rather than a screwdriver.

Now a 2 poster lift would be ideal, but how many of us have access to one. Often thought of investing in one, but my garage is not tall enough - its an integral garage so the car would end up in a bedroom ......

jonc3725 · 19th December 2015, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcarguy

I have the original fittings on mine and it comes off every year for the annual service, the first two years on ramps was a tad awkward but since then on a two poster and it's off in 30 seconds and replaced in less than a minute and I have never had a problem with it coming loose. I use a palm ratchet rather than a screwdriver.

This for me also. I have owned 2 x R75s and 2 x ZTs and never had an issue with an undertray. When I service the cars I check the fastenings and replaced any that are ropey. For me its an integral part of the underside of the car. i.work off ramps or stands and am lucky that I dont struggle with the under trays at all. When refitting I slide in the front edge put a fastening in one of the centre holes adjust the panel and put a fastening in one of the more central holes and then just screw them all back.

genpk · 19th December 2015, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMGRS

I've had one with a hole cut in the undertray - it was my first 75, so I replaced the tray with a whole one and used a Pela pump for oil changes.

had one exactly the same, a hole cut right under the oil filter. thought it was a great idea until i remembered had no access to the sump plug.As you say if you have another way of extracting oil out of the engine all well and good.
For the time it takes to remove the tray not real worth the hassle.
You need to get under the car anyway.
Find mechanics the worst,always leaving off some of the fixing screws etc.
Fist thing I check when I get the car back is the undertray.
As for the use of the tray, a number of times ive run over things that have hit the tray,god knows what damage would have occured if the tray had not been there,further, if you have things like worn gatter rubbers that are packed full of grease,the tray keeps alot of crud out of these bits.

hamster19 · 19th December 2015, 22:25

I have not got one, not interested in having one on, it fell off somewhere up Scotland.

Anon3 · 20th December 2015, 02:19

Mine's held on by cable ties, after all but two of the bolts fell out.

As for why it's there, well it may be that it makes the car a tad more slippy underneath, but it was apparently fitted because of looming legislation which was trying to reduce noise pollution to everyone outside the car.
The legislation was dropped and never went through.

breakfastinsmethwick · 20th December 2015, 14:51

Undertrays are essential to hold water and salt against the subframe to enhance the corrosion process.

Helps with drive by noise regulation requirements too.

Jules · 22nd December 2015, 14:35

We use new OEM clips (heavily greased up) and larger longer stainless steel screws on all undertrays we refit.
The lugs on the old clips simply corrode away which is the root cause of trays falling off or not going back on properly.

Sometimes larger stainless washers have to be used if holes are damaged.
Washers cannot be used with the OEM turn buckles as the length is fixed & critical to tension the clips on the subframe properly.
The beauty of using longer screws is ease of fitment and washers can be added.

As long as the clips are kept greased, the undertray pops on off with ease.

The undertray forms the sound deadening & streamlining of airflow underneath it also keeps the corrosion and road dirt out of the engine bay.
My car wouldn't be without one !!

vindaloo · 22nd December 2015, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

..............My car wouldn't be without one !!

I'm with you on that one Jules, Seasons Greetings BTW.

Jules · 22nd December 2015, 14:44

And to you Jim !!
Perfectionists rule OK

Also worth mentioning the cheap copies of the turn buckles and clips don't work very well either.
They tend be "use once" only then fall apart !!

Land rover screws are rubbish too and corroded badly after 12 months and are not quite long enough, plus the single slot head doesn't self locate on your screwdriver like the pozi drive heads I prefer, especially when you are on your back !!

vindaloo · 22nd December 2015, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

And to you Jim !!
Perfectionists rule OK

It's a sickness I am constantly suffering from & sadly I don't think it can be cured!

20th December 2015, 02:19	#55
Anon3 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,392 Thanks: 199 Thanked 219 Times in 187 Posts	Mine's held on by cable ties, after all but two of the bolts fell out. As for why it's there, well it may be that it makes the car a tad more slippy underneath, but it was apparently fitted because of looming legislation which was trying to reduce noise pollution to everyone outside the car. The legislation was dropped and never went through. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Villa, Stella, Balti. It's Brummie latin that means, er...... Vis tester available to local V6 owners

22nd December 2015, 14:35	#57
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	We use new OEM clips (heavily greased up) and larger longer stainless steel screws on all undertrays we refit. The lugs on the old clips simply corrode away which is the root cause of trays falling off or not going back on properly. Sometimes larger stainless washers have to be used if holes are damaged. Washers cannot be used with the OEM turn buckles as the length is fixed & critical to tension the clips on the subframe properly. The beauty of using longer screws is ease of fitment and washers can be added. As long as the clips are kept greased, the undertray pops on off with ease. The undertray forms the sound deadening & streamlining of airflow underneath it also keeps the corrosion and road dirt out of the engine bay. My car wouldn't be without one !! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

22nd December 2015, 14:44	#59
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	And to you Jim !! Perfectionists rule OK Also worth mentioning the cheap copies of the turn buckles and clips don't work very well either. They tend be "use once" only then fall apart !! Land rover screws are rubbish too and corroded badly after 12 months and are not quite long enough, plus the single slot head doesn't self locate on your screwdriver like the pozi drive heads I prefer, especially when you are on your back !! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

19th December 2015, 22:25	#54
hamster19 Gets stuck in tourer conn CDTI Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: morpeth,northumberland Posts: 834 Thanks: 381 Thanked 112 Times in 105 Posts	I have not got one, not interested in having one on, it fell off somewhere up Scotland.

20th December 2015, 14:51	#56
breakfastinsmethwick Gets stuck in Maintainer of sons ZT M47r Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Shropshire Posts: 624 Thanks: 609 Thanked 124 Times in 100 Posts	Undertrays are essential to hold water and salt against the subframe to enhance the corrosion process. Helps with drive by noise regulation requirements too.