| sven |
As some of you might remember, I've been looking for a suitable bull bar for my MDX for a while, and it seems like the one from Manik is the only option at the moment.
I recently discussed this with a true off-roader (drives a Land Cruiser w/ snorkel, winches etc) and he mentioned the following potential problems for me:
1) the monocoque design, - there are no frame rails to attach a solid bar to .
2) airbag sensors (we've discussed that before)
3) a non frame attached bar, e.g. a so call "brush guard" might actually cause more damage to the vechile. The point is that a lightweight bar will simply bend and crumple the hood, perhaps even the sides, even if they themselves are hit pretty low down.
Sure, one has dissipated the energy of the crash, but by ruining other body parts ...
Has any of the bull bar owners been in a crash yet? What's the thoughts on above? |
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| chris.soto |
Sven. This is a duplicate post. I didn't know how to link to the original.
I just spoke with a tech representative at Manik and he forwarded a service memo made for aftermarket resellers.
There is no significant difference made to the rate of air bag deployment by installing Manik Brush/Grill Guards (and similar bars which bolt directly to the frame). The memo goes on to explain how the Bar installation is designed to be away from the sensors so as not to negatively impact (damage) them.
It further explains that the Air Bag Systems are activated by inertia (they monitor "G" forces being applied to the driver and passengers in the event of a frontal impact) similar to seat belt systems and do not work on front-end deformation in an impact (referred to as "contrary to popular belief").
They state they have never had airbag deployment be an issue in the tens of thousands of bars they have sold.
I am very happy to have a green light on installation for myself.
I hope this helps anyone else concerned with safety issues.
Chris |
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| tdnone |
| I agreed that the air bag sensor is not the issue. However, I believe that damage to the frame is more expensive if not irrepairable (for lack of words) in a collision if the bar actually attaches to the frame. The same is true for hitch in the rear. However, the hitch is just one horizontal "frame" and less of a chance for being hit right into it than the bull/crash bar. |
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| ghost |
| The hitch attaches to the frame quite securely along the sides and at the back; if anything it seems like this would act to reinforce the frame (compared with the a bull bar that might exert leverage on front end of the frame). |
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| sven |
so can someone that has installed the Manik (or other) bull bars please verrify how sturdy it is? (e.g. by leaning heavily into it)
What I would like to avoid is to have a small fender bender where the bars folds itself over the hood and significantly increase the damage to the car. |
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| mgmdx |
The grill guard is very sturdy and should not move at all when you lean on it, if properly installed.
I have a grill guard installed on my Pathfinder. Approximately a year ago my wife rear-ended another car at approximately 10-15 mph. Aside from some minor scrapes on the rubber pads on the front of the guard, there was absolutely no damage to the car itself.
On a separate occasion she pulled into our garage a little too fast and scraped the corner. Once again, there was no damage to the car, only a scrape on the grill guard side that protects headlights/corners of the car.
Had the grill guard not been installed, I would have had to pay $500 insurance deductible to have the car fixed each time.
I think a grill/brush guard serves as a good front end protection against minor bumps and scrapes. I also like the agressive look it gives to the SUV. I plan on purchasing and installing one on my MDX. Although I do like Manik guards, I would like to evaluate other alternatives before making a final decision. I spoke to Customer Service at WAAG. They plan on releasing a model for MDX by the end of the year. |
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