shaun4860 Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Not really an off road post but motoring related. Whilst getting stuck in the snow the other day a bloke offered to pull me out.... Got me tow rope and the screw in thing to connect to front of car......nowhere to screw it into ... According to the manual its just above the indicator on the front bumper/valance/panel....its supposed to be one of those pop out discs. But no!.....nothing to pop out, there is one at the rear but not at the front. Is it a legal requirement to have one at the front?, if i were to break down i cant be towed anywhere Its a 2006 SEAT ALTEA FR Diesel Anyone know? I rang the dealership this morning and the woman at the service department didnt know, im due there on Thursday and wil pursue the matter. I just wondered if anyone knew.... Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 i've come across a few cars with only points on the back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Ok, thanks, Just thought it a bit strange when the handbook says there is one at the front, but its not FR specific, it covers the whole range... shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Citroen are a pain for this too, when we had the snow back in Jan/Feb down Dover way i was pulling peaople up Lydden hill upto the A2, turning around coming back down and fetching another as it was carnage all cars were moved including a Transit, then came to a citroen looked for a tow point to latch onto and nothing!! the lady was fuming i felt awfull because i had to leave her there, luckily the army finished getting traffic moving on the A2 and came down the hill to help only to find the cars gone apart from this poor woman who they had to push up the hill. I think all cars should have a front tow point at least, my reckoning is a front one is just as important than a rear one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Its a seat,dont pull it,just push it in the ditch had one of these makes and nothing but trouble,never again,would love to see one on clarkesons dvd blown to bits,would make my day :yp: rant over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 Its a seat,dont pull it,just push it in the ditch had one of these makes and nothing but trouble,never again,would love to see one on clarkesons dvd blown to bits,would make my day :yp: rant over ...not the most helpful reply..... The only issue i have is the lack of a front towing point.... so what did you replace your Seat with, so i cann have a rant.... shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 I dont have any experience with this car, however looking at the photos there is a hidden panel on the l/h side of the numberplate/lower grill (as you look at the front of the car). I would hazard a guess you need to lever this up using a key. Then there will be a screw in towing eye in the boot with the jack that will fit here. Vampire, Being a VAG car you are tarnishing VW, Audi, Skoda, Bugatti, Bentley, Lambo with the same brush. The build quality and lots of the running gear in Seats are the same as VW, Skoda as well as some of the other cars in the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 Its a seat,dont pull it,just push it in the ditch had one of these makes and nothing but trouble,never again,would love to see one on clarkesons dvd blown to bits,would make my day :yp: rant over Blimey, something must have changed I had an early 1.2 Seat Ibiza as a first car and without question was the most reliable car I've had - up until my brother wrote it off . He replaced it with another Ibiza a 1.3 SXI and again that was faultless until he wrote that one off too :angry: :angry:. Then came Uni and was given my grandfathers old Seat Toledo 1.9d CL (which was car that had been the inspiration for looking at the Ibizas in the first place). He had from new and had not had one single problem with it - and neither did I in the time I had it. Although it was no speed machine engine/ running gear wise it was still like new and getting me near 50mpg even after 190 000+ miles. In the end it was rust got the better of it and at the time didn't have the ability to do the welding myself and so regrettably was scrapped. If I was to look at another car now I'd certainly be taking a close look at, and ruling out what Seat had to offer before looking at anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 (edited) I dont have any experience with this car, however looking at the photos there is a hidden panel on the l/h side of the numberplate/lower grill (as you look at the front of the car). I would hazard a guess you need to lever this up using a key. Then there will be a screw in towing eye in the boot with the jack that will fit here. Vampire, Being a VAG car you are tarnishing VW, Audi, Skoda, Bugatti, Bentley, Lambo with the same brush. The build quality and lots of the running gear in Seats are the same as VW, Skoda as well as some of the other cars in the group. I know what you mean....however...this is one like mine, Altea FR.....if you look at the point you are on about it doesnt exist http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201043371364509/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/altea/make/seat/radius/1500/keywords/fr/page/1/postcode/ne630bt?logcode=p If you see a hole on the lower grill its just a screwhole for holding the lower grill in place. This is the standard Altea....it has the panel your on about... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201023360967235/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/altea/make/seat/page/1/radius/1500/postcode/ne630bt?logcode=p shaun Edited November 30, 2010 by shaun4860 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 My bad, i read Leon not Altea There are two hold in the grill, its not these is it? http://www.elperiodicodelmotor.com/imgp/2006/03/10/bdepmc10911.jpg Otherwise i would hazard a guess that one of the vertical plastic sections that segment the grill might be removable or maybe even behind the numberplate (this seems very unlikely). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 My bad, i read Leon not Altea There are two hold in the grill, its not these is it? http://www.elperiodicodelmotor.com/imgp/2006/03/10/bdepmc10911.jpg Otherwise i would hazard a guess that one of the vertical plastic sections that segment the grill might be removable or maybe even behind the numberplate (this seems very unlikely). Im at the Seat garage on thursday, i will enquire then but i dont hold out much hope of finding a front tow point Thanks anyway... Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 If you are really stuck and need a gentle tow (for example you can't get up a slight incline in ice) then I would wrap a sling around the wishbone and hook on to that. Just mind the front bumper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 If you are really stuck and need a gentle tow (for example you can't get up a slight incline in ice) then I would wrap a sling around the wishbone and hook on to that. Just mind the front bumper! Gentle tow or not that really isn't a good idea it doesn't take much to pull a half shaft out whilst towing via the wishbones. Several years ago the Royal Welsh Agricultural show was hit by some torrential rain and the car parks turned into bogs some of the local farmers, including a couple of friends, were employed by the RWAS to tow the stuck cars out and by enlarge they done a good job but there were a few clowns who clearly didn't have a clue (or didn't care) and decided to do just what you suggested above upon failing to find a towing point and the result... quite a few cars with halfshafts no longer attached to the gearbox, damaged wishbones, wings and bumpers as things gave way. I never did hear what the outcome was as it was unclear at the time who's insurance would be paying out for the damage but suffice to say don't do it unless you are prepared for big bill if it goes wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 I have been recovered via the wishbone on my Mitsubishi Evo by the RAC and it had no ill effects on my vehicle. I've also recovered a mate in a 406 up an icy slope with the same method, and he suffered no damage or ill effects either. All recovery carries risk and its up to the parties involved to decide how desperate they are to be recovered as to whether they want to chance it or not. Get the strap level to reduce bumper damage, get the vehicles straight to avoid any sluing. As the wishbones support the weight of the vehicle at high speeds and the forces on the bushes can be huge, there is no reason why they shouldn't support a GENTLE tow to help someone get moving. Yes I'd use mine to get up an icy slope, no I wouldn't let someone recover me from 2ft of mud with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 Gentle tow or not that really isn't a good idea it doesn't take much to pull a half shaft out whilst towing via the wishbones. Several years ago the Royal Welsh Agricultural show was hit by some torrential rain and the car parks turned into bogs some of the local farmers, including a couple of friends, were employed by the RWAS to tow the stuck cars out and by enlarge they done a good job but there were a few clowns who clearly didn't have a clue (or didn't care) and decided to do just what you suggested above upon failing to find a towing point and the result... quite a few cars with halfshafts no longer attached to the gearbox, damaged wishbones, wings and bumpers as things gave way. I never did hear what the outcome was as it was unclear at the time who's insurance would be paying out for the damage but suffice to say don't do it unless you are prepared for big bill if it goes wrong. Pull a driveshaft out by hooking on a wishbone, how ???? Methinks some divvy put the sling around the driveshaft itself. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 Or use the subframe or if your in a RWD car and really desperate put it through a front wheel spoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul99 Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 I have been recovered via the wishbone on my Mitsubishi Evo by the RAC and it had no ill effects on my vehicle. I've also recovered a mate in a 406 up an icy slope with the same method, and he suffered no damage or ill effects either. All recovery carries risk and its up to the parties involved to decide how desperate they are to be recovered as to whether they want to chance it or not. Get the strap level to reduce bumper damage, get the vehicles straight to avoid any sluing. As the wishbones support the weight of the vehicle at high speeds and the forces on the bushes can be huge, there is no reason why they shouldn't support a GENTLE tow to help someone get moving. Yes I'd use mine to get up an icy slope, no I wouldn't let someone recover me from 2ft of mud with them. I mentioned it as the conditions would have not been that dissimilar from ice cars weren't sinking or stuck on ruts they just couldn't get started on what was level ground. Personally I'd say you've been very lucky. If nothing else it puts on parts that were not designed for it do it enough times and one day it'll go pear shaped. I'd not even consider it and would sooner leave the car stuck and return with the right tools for the job but if you are happy doing it by all means go ahead. Pull a driveshaft out by hooking on a wishbone, how ???? Methinks some divvy put the sling around the driveshaft itself. :o How - well it's pretty easy - when wishbone becomes unattached from the hub there's very little else to stop the driveshafts simply popping out of the gearbox on front wheel drive cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 If a wishbone and hub become unattached while being towed with it then the car is in very poor condition. Providing the pull was straight, the forces involved are going to be far less than say those encountered during an emergency stop from 70MPH. The clamping force of an M8/M10 HT nut and bolt is huge on the balljoint bearing in mind the forces it is expected to deal with. Strap at the subframe end of the wishbone to reduce the stress further. Maybe I have been lucky, or maybe neither of the cars involved were falling to bits anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2010 (edited) Well the mystery has been solved http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=1511147475 If you look at the left (as you look at it) spotlight, there is a torx screw holding that panel on, You unscrew that, take the panel off and ureka....a tow hitch where you then screw your tow hook into it..... Still seems daft to me.... shaun Edited December 2, 2010 by shaun4860 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ550Kevlar Posted December 2, 2010 Report Share Posted December 2, 2010 So to allow yourself to be towed you need to carry a torx screwdriver?? what are these manufacturers thinking?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2010 So to allow yourself to be towed you need to carry a torx screwdriver?? what are these manufacturers thinking?? Im going to change it for a normal philips screw if i can shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted December 2, 2010 Report Share Posted December 2, 2010 or just but a torx driver and leave it with the towing eye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted December 2, 2010 Report Share Posted December 2, 2010 Do they not provide a Torx driver in the accessory pack (or whatever you want to call it) in the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted December 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2010 Do they not provide a Torx driver in the accessory pack (or whatever you want to call it) in the boot. Nope, ive looked, That would be far to sensible.....lol shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegleg31 Posted December 3, 2010 Report Share Posted December 3, 2010 whys this in the 4x4 section? was'nt it in general chat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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