Off roading, gutted

[Andy Wr]

Took the ML270 off roading yesterday, the day was great, the car was remarkably good and capable, really opened my eyes wher these cars can go, the day was a fun day for all the family to enjoy driving through Cannock Chase forest, the reality was it was more suitable for Land Rovers, high lift Mitsibishi etc.

To cut a long story short my car is now damaged, the cross member which supports the gear box is bent and has lifted the gearbox enough to stop it going into tiptronic. The part number for the engine support rear is 1632400002. Would anyone know the price of this or some where to check prices by feeding in part numbers.

Also I need to polish the scuffs from the lacquer on the wheels and on the bumpers, any suggestions please.

Overall it was an excellent day but not recommended for a car worth over a couple of grand and not lifted as high as at least a Land Rover.

Any help appreciated guys.

 

[230K]

Hi

Price list i have lists at 181 Euro so if you get 10% discount expect to pay approx £130. This is a Jan 2005 price list and prices have risen.

Id say you will end up paying £150

Anyone got a recent price list they could send me?


230K

 

[Apial]

think yourself lucky compared to one Disco driver on a Pro-Trax course.
He failed a hill climb and went backwards down the hill so fast that his towbar stuck in the earth, bringing everything to a rapid stop. Aswell as a cricked neck he couldn't get the doors to open.........

 

[Andy Wr]

think yourself lucky compared to one Disco driver on a Pro-Trax course.
He failed a hill climb and went backwards down the hill so fast that his towbar stuck in the earth, bringing everything to a rapid stop. Aswell as a cricked neck he couldn't get the doors to open.........

I think I have had a lucky escape with the small amount of damage done, could of been a hell of a lot worse, I would not do that type of "fun day" again, greenlanes only from now on.

 

[IAN MAC]

The off road days are well worth it, did one years ago and loved it.
But, as you found out, not something to do with your pride and joy.

 

[Andy Wr]

if you get 10% discount expect to pay approx £130. This is a Jan 2005 price list and prices have risen.

Id say you will end up paying £150

How would I get discount?

 

[Blobcat]

Ask for it.....

 

[johnmc]

I worked for the Hydro Board up North some years back. A lot of off roading in fields to fix power lines used to totally destroy a Landrover Defender's suspension in 15,000miles.

I wonder what your ML's suspension would be like now?

John

 

[Fandango]

Offroading is best done in a vehicle that's capable AND indestructable.

I suggest an old G-Wagen, the 460 series from the 80's can be had for around a grand. Difflocks on the front and rear axles, torquey diesel or straight 6 petrol engines, there aren't many places you will not be able to go (with the right tyres !!).
And great fun vehicles they are on the road too, my SWB 280GE used to be able to do 100 mph (measured with GPS) with the large tyres (noisily but without too much fuss).
Just my 2p worth...

 

[Andy Wr]

Offroading is best done in a vehicle that's capable AND indestructable.

I suggest an old G-Wagen, the 460 series from the 80's can be had for around a grand. Difflocks on the front and rear axles, torquey diesel or straight 6 petrol engines, there aren't many places you will not be able to go (with the right tyres !!).
And great fun vehicles they are on the road too, my SWB 280GE used to be able to do 100 mph (measured with GPS) with the large tyres (noisily but without too much fuss).
Just my 2p worth...

I agree Karl, the day was supposed to be a family fun day with gentle off roading..........it wasn't. I love the G wagen by the way, my all time favourite 4x4.

 

[jberks]

I'd love to do a day's off roading, but as and when I do, the Jeep will stay firmly planted in the garage, I'll use the merc to get there and I'll use the sites cars round the track!
Explains why it's so expensive though!

Watching the race to Dakar, they've virtually wrecked a full rally prepared X5, and that was just a support vehicle! Imagine the pounding the racers take.

 

[BarryG]

How about on road gutted !

Hardly a mark on the little VW

Barry

 

[kebo57]

cross member

The cross member which supports the gear box is bent
The part number for the engine support rear is 1632400002.
Any help appreciated guys.

Your problem is the wheel base of the ML is 111 inches most four wheel drive vehicles like the Rangerover, Discovery are 100 inches our less like Defenders, Suzuki’s. So when you go where every body else has gone they have scraped the tops of all the hills but not enough for the ML to go over so yours has bellied out.
Anyway you say that there is a part number this means that you can take the cross member of and bend it straight. Our even reinforce it before replacing it.

PS if you recon that you had a good day then try real offroading see my Avatar above

 

[Andy Wr]

Anyway you say that there is a part number this means that you can take the cross member of and bend it straight. Our even reinforce it before replacing it.

I thought about trying to straighten it but one edge has taken quite a bending and lifted the gear box resulting in the tiptronic change down is too tight, change up is fine just the position of the change down. I would feel better with a new cross member.

 

[kebo57]

When you get it off it might not look as bad as you think I recon bend straight beef up with welded plates etc then you can go back and Conquer all

Ill have a look at mine when it stops raining

PS you've got more bottle the me I'm still ponsing about with mine.

 

[Andy Wr]

Just to keep you informed I have this morning replaced the bent engine support cross member, it was an absolute doddle to do on my drive with nothing more than a trolley jack, axle stand and scissor jack to take the weight of the box and my trusty 27 year old socket set, could not believe how straightforward it was to do. It took 50 minutes from start to finish.

When I get a chance I will take a picture of the old bent one, oh nearly forgot, my tiptronic, reversing lights and dipping door mirror all work again, chuffed to bits.