Discussion
got a trackday booked for Tuesday, but my '5 doesnt have a front towing point (that i can see anyway) was thinking of one of these.
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDeta...
But anyone know where best to fit it? the Ma5da race cars all seem to have them poking out through the grill, guessing fixed to something behind.
Anyone able to give me a clue?
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDeta...
But anyone know where best to fit it? the Ma5da race cars all seem to have them poking out through the grill, guessing fixed to something behind.
Anyone able to give me a clue?
There's a bolt either side of the grille mouth at the top. Some cars have tie down points attached to these. I did hear that they're not intended as tow points, ie not strong enough. They'll keep the car still when being shipped but not pull it out of a ditch. Towing was supposed to be done from the cross member under the engine.
You could ask on the racing mx5 sites for Ma5da of Max5 series. They need tow points for racing.
Edit to remove busted link because I suck at the internet
You could ask on the racing mx5 sites for Ma5da of Max5 series. They need tow points for racing.
Edit to remove busted link because I suck at the internet
Edited by Oldandslow on Wednesday 20th January 13:10
Stick your head into the mouth - on either side are two vertical surfaces where the 'tie down' hooks attach - im guessing yours have been removed. Two holes, one above the other, probably 14mm or so thread.
People say they are not for towing but id rather attach there than anywhere else. You could try get hold of/borrow a towing eye or you could fix the tow-strap with a bolt.
Lots of people make proper racecar style towing hooks using a simple bent sheet of good thick alu or steel.
Theres even templates on nutz, but thats fubared.
Start by looking into the grill, you'll see the mounting points im sure and work something out.
Rears are the same aswell - the two vertical 'struts' that come down behind the bumper, both have two threaded holes in.
People say they are not for towing but id rather attach there than anywhere else. You could try get hold of/borrow a towing eye or you could fix the tow-strap with a bolt.
Lots of people make proper racecar style towing hooks using a simple bent sheet of good thick alu or steel.
Theres even templates on nutz, but thats fubared.
Start by looking into the grill, you'll see the mounting points im sure and work something out.
Rears are the same aswell - the two vertical 'struts' that come down behind the bumper, both have two threaded holes in.
I have a spare rear one you can have if you can fetch it but I doubt your close by (leeds?) I also MIGHT have a spare front one.
First thing I did when I bought the car was pull them all off, they weight a tonne, rears especially.
The more I think about it, I'm pretty sure that you could easily bolt those tow straps in your pic to the car, front and rear. And just tuck it inside the grill - just gotta watch it wont pull the bumper plastic ouf of line when tensioned.
First thing I did when I bought the car was pull them all off, they weight a tonne, rears especially.
The more I think about it, I'm pretty sure that you could easily bolt those tow straps in your pic to the car, front and rear. And just tuck it inside the grill - just gotta watch it wont pull the bumper plastic ouf of line when tensioned.
I've read that the advice not to tow from the tie down points is aimed at the Americans who often lift the front of the car up when towing? The "Carbing" or racing style hooks that people sell attatch to the same point, so the mounting is not the concern it's the weak metal of the hook that could bend if you try and lift the car on them. That makes sense to me when I look at the arangement, fitting a webbing loop to the tie down point would be a similar situation in that if you pull on it at the wrong angle you could stress the plastic bumper. My car has been pulled onto a recovery truck from one tie down loop and I didn't wince, the car was fine.
Snotrag - i'm not that far away, other side of the Pennines in Manchester. Tho i'm planning on going to Demon Tweeks anyway as i need to pick up a few race flags for the coming season.
RAW-BBR - i dont have a front tiedown loop, i think it got removed sometime in the cars past. last year's marshals trackday my lack of front towing point was remarked upon, tho i was allowed out on the basis of bin it and i get give a shovel to get it out at the end of the day.
Have seen the fabric straps on the the racing '5s at various meetings, hence my thoughts that the above strap was ok.
RAW-BBR - i dont have a front tiedown loop, i think it got removed sometime in the cars past. last year's marshals trackday my lack of front towing point was remarked upon, tho i was allowed out on the basis of bin it and i get give a shovel to get it out at the end of the day.
Have seen the fabric straps on the the racing '5s at various meetings, hence my thoughts that the above strap was ok.
If you don't have tow hooks and you bin it on track they will still pull you out but they will use any part of your car that is available to pull it out with. If a cross-member is possible then it's not too bad but more likely to be something that will bend.
The only real problem with the stock hooks (other than weight) is that there are 2 of them so idiots try to loop a cable from the tow car, through both hooks and back to the tow car. This will put too much strain on the chassis and can bend it. If they are used to pull straight then the chassis is plenty strong enough.
The only real problem with the stock hooks (other than weight) is that there are 2 of them so idiots try to loop a cable from the tow car, through both hooks and back to the tow car. This will put too much strain on the chassis and can bend it. If they are used to pull straight then the chassis is plenty strong enough.
Like yours, my car had no front tow hooks so last September I bought track spec front and rear tow hooks that fit to the original mountings from NCB Motorsport [tina@ncbmotorsport.com] www.ncbmotorsport.com
Cost then was £22.75 for just the front or £37.50 for both. Easy to fit and while I've not had to use them yet
they certainly look up to the job.
ETA a couple of pics:
Cost then was £22.75 for just the front or £37.50 for both. Easy to fit and while I've not had to use them yet
they certainly look up to the job.ETA a couple of pics:
Edited by gdaybruce on Wednesday 20th January 19:54
I got some from Rennenmetal from the Usa.
http://www.rennenmetal.com/proddetail.asp?prod=133...
Really quick to fit and pretty decent quality. Very friendly service too.
http://www.rennenmetal.com/proddetail.asp?prod=133...
Really quick to fit and pretty decent quality. Very friendly service too.
Edited by reaper668 on Wednesday 20th January 18:00
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