Any Smart Mechanics Out There - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

mndoug · 05-13-2009, 08:29 AM

I'm considering purchasing a bike rack but the installation costs (not to mention the high price of the rack) is a bit unaffordable. I'm a bit nervous about doing this myself as it appears to be a bit more than I'm willing to do.

Turbo42 · 05-13-2009, 08:42 AM

Oh no it is very simple. You will have no problems

**jwight** · 05-13-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybenz

Oh no it is very simple. You will have no problems

Famous last words! Right up there with "watch this!"

"Open the pod bay door, Hal!"

mndoug · 05-13-2009, 09:36 AM

I was told that they have to remove all three back panels, alter the frame with some sort of drilling and that the installation will cost as much as the VERY expensive rack. About $500 for rack and about $500 for installation! For an affordable car, this seems very incongruous with everything else Smart does...

Turbo42 · 05-13-2009, 09:39 AM

the bike rack bolts right into the eyelit holes in the rear bumper I just put one on about 3 weeks ago and it holds a doctors bike that costs 12,000

mndoug · 05-13-2009, 10:34 AM

According to the Service people, that would be an incorrect installation. Proper installation requires re-drilling of those eyelits for some sort of rust protection. I wish I could be more specific, I don't pretend to understand what they were talking about. But they were adamant that you should not just attach it to the eyelit holes without doing this involved procedure.

Kermit · 05-13-2009, 10:40 AM

John - I just had someone ask me to do what mndoug is mentioning. He already did an install like what you said - installed in just the eyelits but there seems to be an additional bracket/bracing that goes under the center panel rack to make it very secure where the rack won't bounce at all.

The owner explained it very well but said he felt he wasn't mechanically inclined enough to attempt the panel pull.

I specifically asked twice if he was sure about the drilling of holes. Just didn't seem right. He too has one of those bikes that cost as much as a car.

Note: It was not a redrill of the tow bolt holes. A separate new hole altogether is what was described.

Turbo42 · 05-13-2009, 10:46 AM

it does not need to be done

mndoug · 05-13-2009, 10:52 AM

We're looking to do the double bike rack which will add even more weight. And the bikes are heavier too. Does that influence your opinion babybenz? I'm so tempted to buy the unit and install the way that you have done. On one hand I wonder if Smart is exploiting this as an opportunity to drum up service fees, but on the other I see bikes and blood scattered all over the highway.

OC1Dave · 05-13-2009, 10:54 AM

Go to your nearest U-Haul joint and have them install their hitch for about $300. Theirs attaches to the frame and uses a removable receiver hitch type rack (from Wally World?) for $75 or so. The hitch can also be used to haul a (very) small utility trailer. I have hauled 4 mountain bikes on mine without incident and would be very nervous with that amount of weight supported only on the "threads" of the tow hook recepticles. The downside of this installation is fairly low ground clearence, although the hitch does protect the oil filter to a certain extent.