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Cracks on pilars
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:04 am
by herman1170
A gen 3 SWB did is cracking on both front pilars right behind the mirrors. Did anyone experience similar problems? The vehicle was never in an accident before.
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:37 am
by NeelsN
I am the unfortunate owner

of the vehicle that Herman is refering to. If I can figure out how to post photos, I'll do so tonight, I'm new to this forum

Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:17 am
by CATS
I have not heard of too many of this popping up over the years but remember reading of a similar case some years ago on a Pajero forum from Australia. I will google a bit and see what I can come up with.
Incidently, I was told about a swb that has the cracks on the A-Pillars last week at a fitment centre. I assume it was yours that was refered to, as it was also in Centurion.
As a matter of interest I will try and have a look at my vehicle's pillars over the weekend to see what it looks like just as a precaution and comparison.
I assume it should be reasonably easy to fix be a reputable panel beater and should be covered by your insurance.
CATS
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:26 am
by CATS
Here is a reference that I found, but this is not the one that I refer to. Read through the whole thread and you will see that it is mentioned that there are some reports of it happening, escpecially from heavy loads on the roof.
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... hp?t=16126
Please keep us updated and post pics
CATS
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:29 pm
by NeelsN
CATS wrote:Here is a reference that I found, but this is not the one that I refer to. Read through the whole thread and you will see that it is mentioned that there are some reports of it happening, escpecially from heavy loads on the roof.
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/sho ... hp?t=16126
Please keep us updated and post pics
CATS
Thanks for the thread, I'll definitely read through it. There is no indication that my vehicle was ever fitted with a roofrack, therefore heavy loads could not have been the cause.
Re your previous comment, I am in Centurion but the only fitment centre that can possibly know about it is CCD, where my son-in-law works. He is actually the one who first saw the cracks.
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:20 pm
by CATS
Thanks for the photos. I will check mine as well and report back.
I heard about such a vehicle from Johan at Cellsound in Centurion.
Please keep us updated
CATS
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:20 pm
by NeelsN
CATS wrote:Thanks for the photos. I will check mine as well and report back.
I heard about such a vehicle from Johan at Cellsound in Centurion.
Please keep us updated
CATS
Yes, then it is my vehicle (CCD = Cellsound Custom Designs), my son-in-law works for Johann
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:06 pm
by CATS
NeelsN wrote:CATS wrote:Thanks for the photos. I will check mine as well and report back.
I heard about such a vehicle from Johan at Cellsound in Centurion.
Please keep us updated
CATS
Yes, then it is my vehicle (CCD = Cellsound Custom Designs), my son-in-law works for Johann
Oh - OK, so then it is the same vehicle. must say I have not heard of any such cases reported on any forums in South Africa. Yours is the first that I recall.
I checked my vehicle which is a 2001 LWB with just shy of 250000km and roofrack fitted and used often, although not overloaded, and it shows no signs of such similar cracks.
I hope you can get it sorted easily at a reputable panelbeater.
CATS
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:00 pm
by RoelfleRoux
Neels,
Have you had the car since new?
Is it a face-lift model with a sunroof?
These cars don't have a ladder-frame chassis like the Gen2, so a high jump could possibly cause such stress fractures.
Re: Cracks on pilars
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:47 am
by NeelsN
RoelfleRoux wrote:Neels,
Have you had the car since new?
Is it a face-lift model with a sunroof?
These cars don't have a ladder-frame chassis like the Gen2, so a high jump could possibly cause such stress fractures.
Roelf,
No, I bought it 2nd hand but all indications are that it was hardly if ever off tar roads before my time, and I don't do show jumping to impress others. It's a 2003 Gen3, and never had a roof rack fitted and has no sun roof. There are no signs of accident damage either.
I am currently in correspondence with Mercedes Benz/ Mitsubishi, awaiting their reply.