why i hate Undertrays - Page 7

KWIL · 22nd December 2015, 15:31

Jules as usual is absolutely right.
The problem apart from lazy mechanics who throw the screws down and cannot be bothered to look for them and use a tie wrap the customer does not see, is that the undertray has to be settled neatly in line with the fixings so that the 1/4 turn locks work properly without being pulled sideways. I have replaced with OEM (BMW) retainers 2 off and a 1 renewed spring clip in 13 years.

vindaloo · 22nd December 2015, 17:09

One of the problems is garages do not realise the screws are not screws but turnbuckle or dzus fasteners that are captive and should not be removed (except for the front 4). They wrestle them out thus damaging the undertray by enlarging the hole and then losing the turnbuckles and resorting to tie wraps or 'forgetting' to put the tray back altogether.

Phil th Barrow · 24th December 2015, 09:39

Mines falling off as we speak.... And its raining. And me ramps are to steep so it catches th front bumper. And its xmas......... And I don't want to mend it.

But I should....

Arctic · 24th December 2015, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil th Barrow

Mines falling off as we speak.... And its raining. And me ramps are to steep so it catches th front bumper. And its xmas......... And I don't want to mend it.

But I should....

Hi Phil.
you need to invest in some ramp extension, maybe a late xmas or new year present from a family, or friend

Phil th Barrow · 24th December 2015, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arctic

Hi Phil.
you need to invest in some ramp extension, maybe a late xmas or new year present from a family, or friend

Hi Steve. Thanks for your ramp detail. My ramps work with a foot long flag stone in front of them....... Bit of a faff.

Sooo today after my last post I went locally to a guy with a 2 post lift. He re secured 3 original studs had come away on th under tray. whilst I checked all wheel bearings, which were ok.

Then found O/S track rod end with play.

As th wife would say. Do one job find another..

James.uk · 25th December 2015, 16:32

I have been undertrayless for several years now. Erm.. No, that's not really true, prior to buying my 75 no car I have owned ever had under trays fitted innit.

I don't miss it, the car engine should survive being exposed to all driving conditions, after all, that's what is was built to do innit..

I don't care if the underside of the motor gets dirty, life is far to short to faf about cleaning bits of cars that have no aesthetic value whatsoever, and are hidden from view if you keep the bonnet down anyway...

I do believe in keeping things you need working, so mechanically the car is brilliant, and it is a real pleasure to drive the car, even for many hours. And that is all I ask of it.. When all's said and done, I didn't buy it to hide in a shed, and bring it out now and then to show off to people at car shows or anything innit...

...

awvc1 · 27th February 2016, 18:21

Waking this thread up to ask Matt DMGRS a question

I just lost a fourth undertray last week.

I think my problem has been the clips dont fit on the brackets underneath my car. I cant believe im the only one whos had this - Matt how do i get these over the brackets under the car? Fromt two only will fit. The rest dont?

first-things-first · 27th February 2016, 18:50

I've gone away from the turn buckle type, as I kept losing them (and yes they were definitely fully engaged).

I now have chimney type (spire) clips and stainless M6 x 16 bolts. These don't come out. Use penny washers to fill gaps, if needed (where holes were enlarged due to issues before).

No more hassle for me to undo - just need a 10mm socket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191379853374

Can use nylon washers as well to cushion plastics, when tightened.

directstep · 27th February 2016, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by wullie480

I removed the ones from our zts during a service and never stuck them back on.
Still sitting at the side of the shed & no intention of fitting them back on.

During the recent bad weather I spotted 2 at the side of the road just after a big puddle so no doubt ripped off with the force from the water.

haha my two live behind the shed as well

Dave Goody · 27th February 2016, 19:53

I'm afraid I don't believe keeping a little bit of dirt off my engine, gaining a couple of decibels in noise and gaining 0.2 mpg is worth killing a motorcyclist behind me with a flying undertray. I had one on each of my 75s and never had one on my ZT. My engine was clean, my ZT noisy, {aren't they all} They are not worth the bother.

22nd December 2015, 17:09	#62
vindaloo Ex Owner MX-5 ND2 RF Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leigh Posts: 6,574 Thanks: 462 Thanked 799 Times in 524 Posts	why i hate Undertrays One of the problems is garages do not realise the screws are not screws but turnbuckle or dzus fasteners that are captive and should not be removed (except for the front 4). They wrestle them out thus damaging the undertray by enlarging the hole and then losing the turnbuckles and resorting to tie wraps or 'forgetting' to put the tray back altogether.

24th December 2015, 09:39	#63
Phil th Barrow Gets stuck in " NOW SOLD" :-( Rover 75 Conni Auto SE Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Stoke Posts: 896 Thanks: 424 Thanked 214 Times in 163 Posts	why i hate Undertrays Mines falling off as we speak.... And its raining. And me ramps are to steep so it catches th front bumper. And its xmas......... And I don't want to mend it. But I should....

25th December 2015, 16:32	#66
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	I have been undertrayless for several years now. Erm.. No, that's not really true, prior to buying my 75 no car I have owned ever had under trays fitted innit. I don't miss it, the car engine should survive being exposed to all driving conditions, after all, that's what is was built to do innit.. I don't care if the underside of the motor gets dirty, life is far to short to faf about cleaning bits of cars that have no aesthetic value whatsoever, and are hidden from view if you keep the bonnet down anyway... I do believe in keeping things you need working, so mechanically the car is brilliant, and it is a real pleasure to drive the car, even for many hours. And that is all I ask of it.. When all's said and done, I didn't buy it to hide in a shed, and bring it out now and then to show off to people at car shows or anything innit... ... Last edited by James.uk; 25th December 2015 at 16:39..

27th February 2016, 18:21	#67
awvc1 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Essex Posts: 1,177 Thanks: 221 Thanked 258 Times in 196 Posts	Waking this thread up to ask Matt DMGRS a question I just lost a fourth undertray last week. I think my problem has been the clips dont fit on the brackets underneath my car. I cant believe im the only one whos had this - Matt how do i get these over the brackets under the car? Fromt two only will fit. The rest dont? __________________ White Gold ConnSE, 2003 Mods: FBH Revotec Fan Inline 'stat Xenon lights + washers BMW MK4 satnav, clock mod, BT ulf, 16:9 screen & TV upgraded BM54 + BT Aux-in Miracast box Glasses holder Flip Key Spyhole +Jules plenum shield PPD - badges,rear plinth, carpeted heater panels, anchor bolts, reflectors Walnut Dash, handbrake+gearshift Twin Horns Drivers cupholder HK Speakers Chrome bullet mirrors Digital speedo LED interior bulbs Resler interface USB charging sockets x2

27th February 2016, 19:53	#70
Dave Goody This is my second home 15 years of 75s & ZTs now an XTrail Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danbury, Essex Posts: 3,761 Thanks: 18 Thanked 88 Times in 56 Posts	I'm afraid I don't believe keeping a little bit of dirt off my engine, gaining a couple of decibels in noise and gaining 0.2 mpg is worth killing a motorcyclist behind me with a flying undertray. I had one on each of my 75s and never had one on my ZT. My engine was clean, my ZT noisy, {aren't they all} They are not worth the bother. __________________ ZT 190 X Power Grey The Only Colour is this Dark Silver!! When I was a kid I was scared of earwigs because I thought they actually lived in your ears. I was even more terrified of cockroaches!

22nd December 2015, 15:31	#61
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	Jules as usual is absolutely right. The problem apart from lazy mechanics who throw the screws down and cannot be bothered to look for them and use a tie wrap the customer does not see, is that the undertray has to be settled neatly in line with the fixings so that the 1/4 turn locks work properly without being pulled sideways. I have replaced with OEM (BMW) retainers 2 off and a 1 renewed spring clip in 13 years.

27th February 2016, 18:50	#68
first-things-first Posted a thing or two MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 1,255 Thanks: 176 Thanked 352 Times in 272 Posts	I've gone away from the turn buckle type, as I kept losing them (and yes they were definitely fully engaged). I now have chimney type (spire) clips and stainless M6 x 16 bolts. These don't come out. Use penny washers to fill gaps, if needed (where holes were enlarged due to issues before). No more hassle for me to undo - just need a 10mm socket. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191379853374 Can use nylon washers as well to cushion plastics, when tightened.