towbar im confused

[Billathome65]

Hi guys am totally confused and need advice.

Have just started the process of fitting a towbar on my 2002 c3 LX and checking all the info and watching vid on youtube it states that to mount the towbar pull the rear bumper away and behind the rear wheel mud guard there should be two holes to bolt the towbar to the car?

Well after spending ages with the preliminary work and moving the mud guard guess what? NO holes to bolt the towbar????

Anyone else come across this issue? I would have thought that all C3's would have the same mounting spots so I am really confused.

I really don't want to be drilling holes but am now stuck with a trailer and towbar I cant use.

Am I missing something?

[Paul-R]

Speaking in general, all towbars fit on the same mounting points on cars and these are provided by the car manufacturers. Everything has to be E marked for compatibility. If the mounting holes are not there then you've probably got the wrong towbar.

Does the towbar fit snugly apart from the missing holes? Do all the other holes align up?

[Billathome65]

The towbar came off another c3 same age so not even checked fit as i was just getting the car ready to start mounting the bar, and the video on youtube shows the mounting in a specific area

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6tbPhWgDcA&t=39s

So am confused as to why they are not present on this car?

[Paul-R]

Just a thought. Is one an ordinary C3 and the other a Picasso?

Are you sure the holes aren't there but covered with a blanking plug/tape/underseal?

[Paul-R]

Did you take the towbar off this other C3 - or at least see it fitted before removal? Or were you just told that it fitted a C3 of your age?

[Billathome65]

It was advertised as coming off a C3 same age so didn't see it removed mines an ordinary C3 that's why I bought it but had assumed from seeing videos that the mounting holes would be in the same place on all C3's.

Am a little miffed now as I now have a towbar and trailer I cannot use and cannot afford a new towbar,

aint life and bloody cars complicated?

Problem with theses C3's is that there is very little information available out there and the videos when available don't really detail what C3 is being worked on.

There was one oval blanking plate where one hole should be but that when removed just showed the inside of the subframe so I am now thinking am I going to have to drill two holes through the subframe in order to mount the towbar

[Paul-R]

You shouldn't need to drill any holes to mount a modern towbar. Can you not take the bar back?

Is there an identification plate or sticker on the bar? Any manufacturer's name? Can you post any photos?

[Billathome65]

When I get a moment I will check the towbar but not sure it has a manufacturers name.

The towbar was bought as second hand privately even though it has no sign of usage but can't be returned and if it was not off a C3 as it was advertised I cant sell it on.

What is the confusing thing is the video clearly shows a C3 and where the mounting point should be?

[Paul-R]

I haven't listened to the video as my works computer is soundless but is it the same model year as your C3?

[Billathome65]

Hi sorry for the late reply the model in the video is the exact same design as mine a 2002 -2009 model as is evidenced by the rear light and bumper design as you know the design changed after 2009 so as far as I am aware the car in the video is between 2002 to 2009 so id assume the anchor points would be in the same place as I saw no other holes when I removed the bumper and mud shield

[Paul-R]

Well, at that point I'm stumped. We still don't know whether the bar actually aligns with the bodyshell (disregarding the missing mounting holes). It does mean removing the bumper just to find out of course.

If it does line up then I might - just - be tempted to drill though. That's a big "if" though.

[Homer]

I wouldn't drill anything.

This should help.

https://www.tridenttowing.co.uk/downloa ... 17C31A.pdf

3. Pull out the rearmost edge of each mudguard from behind the bumper lip to give access to the chassis mountings.
4. The mounting points are covered with sealant tape. Locate their position on the outward facing surface of the chassis rail
near its end flange. Carefully remove the sealant tape to expose the threaded mounting holes.

The 2009 on version is very similar.

https://www.tridenttowing.co.uk/search/citroen-c3

[Paul-R]

I did say a big if. I'm not really convinced it's the correct towbar and offering it into position would probably show that the fit is not good.

[RichardW]

Is there a chance it's been shunted, and the rear chassis legs replaced? Maybe the holes are just well hidden!

[ekjdm14]

I wouldn't drill anything.

This should help.

https://www.tridenttowing.co.uk/downloa ... 17C31A.pdf

3. Pull out the rearmost edge of each mudguard from behind the bumper lip to give access to the chassis mountings.
4. The mounting points are covered with sealant tape. Locate their position on the outward facing surface of the chassis rail
near its end flange. Carefully remove the sealant tape to expose the threaded mounting holes.

The 2009 on version is very similar.

https://www.tridenttowing.co.uk/search/citroen-c3

That sounds like the holes may just be well hidden & need to be found under sealant At least the threads ought to be clean if that's the case.