111R under tray removal.

[nick_j007]

Hi all. Was trying to get the rear under tray off tonight to find that the first two bigger bolts that go onto the chassis simply spin (with my fingers even) in their mountings. They both do it which seems weird. As a result the under tray won't drop down for me to have a better poke about.

Any ideas please?

I thank you.

Nick

[Exige S]

I had this issue. What this means in that your rivnuts that this spinning bolt locates into have given up their grip on the subframe, usually from over-torquing. You have two options. Unfortunately Lotus chose to use these little rubber turds all over the car, it's really a horrible engineering solution.

1. Insert a hacksaw blade (the large type that is taller at one end than the other) into the end of the subframe rail from inside the wheel well. As you turn the bolt the rubber sleeve of the rivnut will "pull" the hacksaw blade in and trap it as it gets wider/taller, stopping the rivnut from spinning - you can now get the bolt out.

2. Drill that sucker out. I hope you have a tall set of ramps and alot of patience.

If you go with option 1, you can keep using this method. If you choose to replace the rivnut, I would do other other side at the same time - but be aware you will need a rivnut setting tool, and new knuckles.

Let us know how you get on!

[nick_j007]

Exige S said:

I had this issue. What this means in that your rivnuts that this spinning bolt locates into have given up their grip on the subframe, usually from over-torquing. You have two options. Unfortunately Lotus chose to use these little rubber turds all over the car, it's really a horrible engineering solution.

1. Insert a hacksaw blade (the large type that is taller at one end than the other) into the end of the subframe rail from inside the wheel well. As you turn the bolt the rubber sleeve of the rivnut will "pull" the hacksaw blade in and trap it as it gets wider/taller, stopping the rivnut from spinning - you can now get the bolt out.

2. Drill that sucker out. I hope you have a tall set of ramps and alot of patience.

If you go with option 1, you can keep using this method. If you choose to replace the rivnut, I would do other other side at the same time - but be aware you will need a rivnut setting tool, and new knuckles.

Let us know how you get on!

Dang! Not what I wanted to hear but thank you. I confess then that I'll give it to Paul Matty's to sort out later in the summer!

[Exige S]

Haha, ok, I hope then that it doesn't rattle like mine did!

One more thing you can try is to gently pull on the tray/bolt to try and "seat" the rivnut to stop it spinning.

[nick_j007]

Exige S said:

Haha, ok, I hope then that it doesn't rattle like mine did!

One more thing you can try is to gently pull on the tray/bolt to try and "seat" the rivnut to stop it spinning.

That could be worth a try thank you. I'm getting a little rattling but nothing too bad. Not that I can hear it at 8k revs