Please Help

bourbonbaby · #1 31-05-2008, 06:12 AM

I have a VR commodore a mechanic crashed my car and tried to repair my front group A bar which didn't turn out the greatest, he also left off my reinforcement bar. which then made the bar worse and almost fell off. i have tried asking the RTA and Holden for information about it and also tried finding out if it is illegal not to have one on the vehicle but i had no luck. does anyone know any links that might show the purpose of a reinforcement bar? it would be of great help as i am taking him to court to replace everything he ruined.

Not_An_Abba_Fan · #2 31-05-2008, 09:51 AM

The reo bar has a couple of purposes, firstly, just by it's name it should tell you what it does. It is part of the vehicles impact system, it provides a bit of strength behind the plastic bumper but also is part of the crush zones. I don't think there is a specific law that says it needs to be there, but as a safety item, it is required, or a suitable substitute.

bourbonbaby · #3 01-06-2008, 05:44 AM

Thanks, but is another purpose for it to hold on the bumper bar/ front spoiler? i mean i didn't have it on for a month and my front spoiler started to drop. it is an ADR requirement to have a reinforcement bar on the vehicle. but i need to find something in writing to give to the courts that shows the full purpose.

Calaber · #4 07-06-2008, 07:26 PM

I think the reo does more than just reinforce the bumper (Actually, it IS the bumper, the plastic cover is only a styling facia). I think it also helps to tie the two front end side rails together to provide additional strength to the front of the car. The reo is a boxed section and on VT onwards, its mounted directly to the front of the chassis rails with six bolts. If the reo was omitted, the only major component joining the two rails would be a square tubular frame between the front control arm bushes.

Of course, the VR front end will be a bit different, but the reo still has a major part to play in front end strength.

Benboy · #5 12-06-2008, 09:21 AM

Mate, if the mechanic was responsbile for the prang then he's responsible to repair it. Why are you running around trying to organise parts etc? Put it all in writing to him, send it registered mail and give him say 14 days to respond otherwise take him to Small Claims Court to recover costs. You can get relevant info, paperwork etc from your local Magistrate Court Office. In the meantime if your car does not comply with ADR's then it is unroadworthy and illegal for you to drive it around.

744driver · #6 12-06-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benboy

Mate, if the mechanic was responsbile for the prang then he's responsible to repair it. Why are you running around trying to organise parts etc? Put it all in writing to him, send it registered mail and give him say 14 days to respond otherwise take him to Small Claims Court to recover costs. You can get relevant info, paperwork etc from your local Magistrate Court Office. In the meantime if your car does not comply with ADR's then it is unroadworthy and illegal for you to drive it around.

Exactly, you shouldnt be wasting *YOUR* time

bourbonbaby · #7 12-06-2008, 12:47 PM

i have done exactly that, it's going to court but he's trying to say that i never had a reinforcement bar on the car, when there was one on there.
one month without it on the car my front end started falling off. i just needed something that stated it is there for that purpose also.

centy · #8 30-06-2008, 02:27 PM

go to the wreakers and get photos of the reo bars on a few cars and also a few pics on the bar on pranged ones that will make it obvious what it is for.
Get a letter from a panel beater it may help to.
Take your car for a roadworthy to see if it passes as is and use the report, make sure you point out that the reo is gone.