Door bars

[bluemin]

Anyone have any idea when door bars were introduced into Mk3 & later doors?

I take it that there's no actual difference in the doors with bars and that they will fit all Mk3 & variants. Is that correct?

Finally can the bars be easily removed as it's just extra weight that's not needed.

[newtune]

I believe they came in on mpi cars along with the airbags, not to sure about taking them out ?
would have thought they were part of the door,

James

[guru_1071]

they came in about 1996 and can be removed - they are held in with star drive bolts - they are awkward to get out though as they need to come out at the top where the glass is

[bluemin]

That's OK then as there's no glass anyway. Replace with perspex in due course.

Star drive bolts though............trip to Screwfix might be in order.

[IAIN]

Save your self the hassle and leave them in.
They aren't heavy any way and are a sod to remove with out damaging the door skin, you might be glad of a little extra strength one day.

[bluemin]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...........certainly don't want to damage the door skins but the bars are dead weight as the car has door bars as part of the rollcage. Every little helps with weight saving.

[IAIN]

Well eat one less mars bar = one door bar The weight only maters if you compete with the car and come second !
I'm off now.

[bluemin]

Hate Mars bars. Like eating a door bar............Like crisps though.

Have to stop eating snacks anyway as saving up for pad4's repacement (Mk1 in a Mk3) windows.

Coming second is not an option.

[guru_1071]

the other way to get them out without risk to the door skin is to chop them in half (or thirds, i cant remember) then wriggle each half out through the hole where the window regulator goes

[cheleker]

Add to your stash of trivia...door bars introduced in the 70s...on Canadian spec. cars along with a lot of other safety features not deemed necessary elsewhere.

[bluemin]

One door bar now removed.

As regards the weight of the door bar you must be going by the weight of a box of Mars Bars. Weight of one door bar (less screws) = 950gm. One Mars Bar weighs 62.5gms.