Back Panel And Diffuser - Help!

[Foggy]

I am removing the diffuser and back panel (where the number plate fits and the exhaust surrounds) as they have gone dull and the matt paint has worn back, so I want to remove refurbish and respray them both in matt black to freshen the whole look of the back of the car.

 

I have removed the diffuser and thought there would be a couple of bolts which would then be accessible to remove the rest, but I cant find any way of getting it off. I hope that it isn't riveted on, as I had a look in the boot floor and there appear to be 3 pop rivets.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I would prefer to get it all off the car, rubbed down and sprayed on the bench.

 

Simon

[un1eash]

My understanding was yes it's pop riveted on from the boot.

[chris_h]

They were bolts in the boot in my 2004 exige, so I guessed they changed at some point. Drill them out and bolt them back in??

[un1eash]

They were bolts in the boot in my 2004 exige, so I guessed they changed at some point. Drill them out and bolt them back in??

That's most likely what was done with yours. My 2005 Elise are rivets.

[chris_h]

I bought my car new and was like it from the start. Perhaps exige and Elise different?

[un1eash]

Knowing Lotus they ran out of rivets one day so changed and then changed back again.

[Musicman7]

I too would like any help with this as I have bought a 111s Diffuser, drop link and number plate mount (all from elise parts) for my Elise S2, and can't get the panel which the number plate attachs to off!

 

Thanks

[AlexD]

The number plate panel is held in with 3 large head pop rivets, lift the boot carpet and sound foam and drill the heads off with a 6mm drill and it will fall off job done

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Musicman7]

The number plate panel is held in with 3 large head pop rivets, lift the boot carpet and sound foam and drill the heads off with a 6mm drill and it will fall off job done

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Alex

[Foggy]

I did that with mine, but it was still a b*****d to get off once the rivets were out, due to the exhaust pipes going through the panel I had to bend the ends back clear of the pipes then wrestle the whole thing off whilst also breaking some of the heat protective material!!

 

Its all good now though and one of the best mods I've done to the car.