Is there a downside to cutting off front tie downs?

[brighton911]

I am in the process of installing Elephant PB bushings on the front. Looks like the PO had a few run ins with the front tie down brackets (the ones on torsion bar covers) and bent them somewhat. My thought was to to cut the tie downs off as another impact could potentially twist the all important covers which just happens to hold the front suspension in place. Good or bad idea?

[avt007]

I find they serve a good purpose as the firs thing to bottom out in a bad bump.

[dipso]

Mine were ground down pretty good. I had a tow truck driver try to hook to them. Apparently he didn't hear me tell him not to use them.

Car got about halfway up the flatbed and one broke. Ripped my front valence almost completely off.
There is a lot of tension on those cables and hooks.
AAA sponsored tow company, so AAA body shop repaired all the damage no charge.

Long story short, If you are not using them for bottoming out protection, I would remove them. They can only cause problems if not in good shape.

The bottom out protection is good. Maybe cut the loop so no one can try to use them to tow if they are weak.

[gungadin]

tie downs?

[175mph951]

if they are starting to grind down then they are definitaly serving the purpose of protecting from bottoming out.....no matter what i would never have a tow truck use them....ive seen perfect ones break at the welds!!!

[SteveinTO]

Very handy exiting steeply angled driveway. Makes horrible noise. Doesn't hurt car.

[moneymanager]

These can be used as tie downs but they are there to keep you from bottoming out the front torsion bar mounts on a big dip or driveway taken at intemperate speed. I would guess removing them will one day cause you some extra front suspension work.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by moneymanager

These can be used as tie downs but they are there to keep you from bottoming out the front torsion bar mounts on a big dip or driveway taken at intemperate speed. I would guess removing them will one day cause you some extra front suspension work.

I'm not so sure. The shock from banging them is gonna be the same as if you hit the real protector, which is what the tie downs are connected to. The bushing holder is underneath all this.

At the very least, I'd bend them over at a 45* with heat. Please remove them to do this.

[JP911]

I think the tie down loops are designed to give, but if hit hard enough it won't make a difference. I replaced mine with the Rennline tow hooks and I'm switching back. The Rennline pieces are made for towing, and hence very stiff, which resulted in some damage to my suspension pan when I recently contacted a metal plate in the road. If I'd had the stock pieces in place, the damage would not have been more than a good scrape and possibly damage to my rubber spoiler lip.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by gungadin

tie downs?

- somebody post a pic of these so we'll all know, eh

[911pcars]

Performance, Tweeks, Automotion or ? used to sell curvy steel skid plates that sandwich around the existing tie down bracket. They provide more sacrificial material as the front end skids off steepish driveways. They also add about a pound to the front end, down low and forward where it does the most good .

JMPro adapted roller blade/skate board wheels on a bracket that allowed the front end to roll over the interfering ground surface (or road kill). However, the suspension travel on these is the same as the factory bracket, and they seem to work best going straight (zero slip angle) unless he also had a caster wheel option.

Sherwood

[jurhip]

Mine came with reinforcements tacked on. The previous PO never used them but my driveway is not as nice especially on a full tank

[rfloz]

Originally Posted by brighton911

My thought was to to cut the tie downs off as another impact could potentially twist the all important covers which just happens to hold the front suspension in place. Good or bad idea?

Just lower the car - they will grind themselves down in fairly short order.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

JMPro adapted roller blade/skate board wheels on a bracket that allowed the front end to roll over the interfering ground surface (or road kill). However, the suspension travel on these is the same as the factory bracket, and they seem to work best going straight (zero slip angle) unless he also had a caster wheel option.

Sherwood

wonder if i can find the thread with the angle iron and the caster wheels

[OldTee]

My solution. Has come in handy when I needed a flat bed tow.

[JMPRO]

Been on my car for about 5 years now and still going strong
JMPRO

[porsche930dude]

mine were almost ground through so i added weld to make them round again. Theyve saved my chin more that a few times