ARB Deluxe Bar Fitment Issues

[Yukon LX]

My problem originated when i first installed the bull bar. The PO(my father in law, who heckled me on every penny on price) had apparently run into a pole in a parking lot, with airbag deployment. I did not know this, at the time of purchase, or till i went to instill the ARB bull bar. it took a great deal of grinding, pounding, etc to get it mounted. Bottom line, the left side frame must be slightly bent at the front, as it was hard enough to it on, much less lined up perfectly. Thus, the left side, had VERY tight tolerance, where the right had more than enough space.

Then the problem arose. After wheeling and hitting rocks ,flexing, high lifting etc, the left side eventually came into contact with the body. Now there is slight rubbing and a little rust starting to form. I loosened all the bolts and jumped, pounded, and pushed on the right side, and once tightened back up, could not gain more clearance.

So here comes the question, does anyone have an idea for an easy fix for this? If so, any advice is welcome. Below are pics, sorry, i only have my crappy black berry right now.

Left Side:

 

[Yukon LX]

Left:


Right Side:

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Did you pull the bolts that pin the bar in place prior to loosening the 6 mounting bolts?

 

[Yukon LX]

I didnt pull anything totally, but loosened it all less than hand tight, would that make a difference to pull totally? It was very hard to get it on originality, i don't know if that is a bad sign. 2 years later, the gap is not ok, and i am worried about crunching the fender.

 

[wareagle]

I've installed atleast a dozen ARB bull bars. They often need to be tweaked. My tool of choice to improve clearance with fenders is a a scissor jack. The jacks that are slit to accommodate pinch welds are perfect. Basically, loosen all bolts, then use jack to position bumper. Tighten bolts. Many ARB require a bolt to Pin the bar during winching and such. Drill and tighten that bolt last.

 

[Yukon LX]

can you give me anymore detail on using the scissor jack to create space?(where, when how?) Do my pics look like what you have seen before?

 

[wareagle]

Sure. The scissor jack from a compact car will normally fit between the ARB and the frame. You can use the jack to push the bumper away from the fender. The jacks that are slit to go around pinch welds are handier, since there are normally a few welds inear radiator than can be used. Ive been able to get about an inch of clearnance (needed for winching) without much trouble. I also used some wood shims to keep distance between fender and bumper. It's a lot of trial and error, but scissor and small bottle jacks car move things very well.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Besides the 6 big bolts that position the bar there's two smaller bolts down at the bottom that if you haven't removed, the bar won't budge. Well, I guess it will hinge forward as it pivots on those bolts. If the frame horn is tweaked you can take it to a body shop that does frame straightening. Then can pull the frame horn straight down to a floor anchor and straighten things up.