Cracked ARB Alloy Roof Rack on 80 Series Cruiser
Submitted: Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 21:22
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Graham & Lynne
I have the spare tyre only on the roof rack it lays across 4 of the 19mm bars and the front one has cracked away at the side. Vehicle has only been on bitumen roads.Roof rack only has horizontal bars with no mesh.
Should I get alloy mesh welded in bottom for extra strength?
Thanks Graham
Reply By: Graham & Lynne - Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 21:30
Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 21:30
Correction it is a TJM roof rack.
From Graham
AnswerID:
448597
Reply By: Crackles - Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 23:58
Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 23:58
While welding in mesh to re-enforce the rack may help spread the weight of the tyre, this has the added problem of making it stiff which can lead to further cracking on the alloy legs if the mounting points don't allow for enough movement. (which looking at the TJM photo's could very
well be the case)
Cheers Craig...........
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Saturday, Mar 19, 2011 at 09:46
Saturday, Mar 19, 2011 at 09:46
Unfortunately it is problem with alloy racks that as the aluminium is more rigid than steel it won't flex with the movement which causes the cracks.
The best solution long term is to just use the alloy rack on steel crossbars. In my experience over many years of leading outback trips alloy racks will always eventually let go somewhere as they are never designed properly for alloy use.
An alloy rack must be designed and built differently to a steel one.
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