Lotus Forum Lotus Forum
Go Back   LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community > Lotus Discussions > Interior/Exterior
User Name
Password
Register Home Forums Active Topics Gallery Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


       
Registered Members do not see the above ads. Please Register Today - It's quick and free!
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 03-24-2005, 12:08 AM   #1 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: bay area, CA
Posts: 162
removing seatbelt plastic covers

I'm thinking of removing the plastic covers that cover the seat belt hooks behind the drive's seat... they are bulky and don't fit the car. I think the bare metal will look better anyways.

anyone removed these? there is an internal clip holding it on, don't want to break it in case I want to put it back later...
elise seeker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2005, 06:33 PM   #2 (permalink)
Registered User
 
BMJM100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Worcester, Ma.
Posts: 389
Seatbelt covers.

very easy to remove. Take a look at the top of the cover and you'll see 2 clips. Just lift with a small screwdriver and it will pop open.

Bruce
BMJM100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2005, 07:35 PM   #3 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: bay area, CA
Posts: 162
it pops open, but there is something at the top keeping it from coming off. the other problem is the backing piece needs to be removed, which looks like the seatbelt bolt must be removed to take out the piece... have you done it?
elise seeker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2005, 09:26 PM   #4 (permalink)
OSX Black hat
 
charliex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Las Vegas , NV
Posts: 9,935
mine broke off the first day
charliex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2005, 11:04 PM   #5 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: bay area, CA
Posts: 162
cool... can you post a picture before mine irreversibly break off accidentally?
elise seeker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2005, 11:41 PM   #6 (permalink)
Mr. Sparkle
 
biobaggie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Posts: 631
There's a plastic rivet/plug thingy (appx 1" long and 3/8" - 1/2" diameter)that has a series of semi flexible ridges that look like screw threads. The ridged portion passes through a hole in the other part of the cover, thus keeping them joined together. It's impossible to pull off since the ridges have a much larger diameter than the hole. The head of the rivet/plug is actually glued on to the yellow/white hard foam that is packed into the black plastic cover, so the best way to remove it is to break the glue seal and the 2 pieces come apart. I glued it back in place on reassembly with no problem(although it sounds like you won't be reinstalling). The head of the rivet/plug is shaped exactly to the contours of top part of the plastic cover, so it it is easy to glue back in exactly the same place. I was going to take some photos when took mine off but couldn't find my camera at the time .
biobaggie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2007, 04:50 PM   #7 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Chris Mackey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 2,587
My driver side plastic seatbelt loop cover thing broke last night while I was sliding my ass into the car.

I think I'll just bust off the passenger side, too. It looks better.
__________________
2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs.

ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com
Chris Mackey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2007, 04:58 PM   #8 (permalink)
Registered User
 
buzzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: The Moon
Posts: 879
Images: 10
Replace with the Exige part. It's much smaller and better looking.
__________________
Gone to talk about lotus somewhere else.com
buzzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2007, 01:45 PM   #9 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Chris Mackey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 2,587
Quote:
Originally Posted by buzzy View Post
Replace with the Exige part. It's much smaller and better looking.
I did this just today. It does look much nicer. The dealer let me have it for free.
__________________
2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs.

ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com
Chris Mackey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2007, 02:49 PM   #10 (permalink)
1/3 Rotweiler, He Crazy
 
t65tampa's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 654
Quote:
Originally Posted by biobaggie View Post
There's a plastic rivet/plug thingy (appx 1" long and 3/8" - 1/2" diameter)that has a series of semi flexible ridges that look like screw threads. The ridged portion passes through a hole in the other part of the cover, thus keeping them joined together. It's impossible to pull off since the ridges have a much larger diameter than the hole. The head of the rivet/plug is actually glued on to the yellow/white hard foam that is packed into the black plastic cover, so the best way to remove it is to break the glue seal and the 2 pieces come apart. I glued it back in place on reassembly with no problem(although it sounds like you won't be reinstalling). The head of the rivet/plug is shaped exactly to the contours of top part of the plastic cover, so it it is easy to glue back in exactly the same place. I was going to take some photos when took mine off but couldn't find my camera at the time .
I just installed a harness bar and 6 point harness. I ran into the same problem when I was dealing with the covers. I was able to get them unclipped and access the big bolt, but had to actually disarticulate the cover to get the work done properly. When I was done and needed to reassemble the cover, I used superglue to attach the internal plastic piece with that rivet/plug onto its foam attachment on the posterior half of the cover. It worked fine and the reattachment has held up nicely.

I contemplated leaving the covers off, but I thought it looked better with them on. It's not like I didn't have them to replace, so I put them back on. Maybe you will like the unfinished look of the exposed bolt, but it's not like it's a beautiful piece of kit to show off. I want to try to figure out a way to show off the gorgeous aluminum door hinges.
__________________
Dean
2006 Pontiac GTO
2006 Infiniti G35
2008 M-B C63 AMG
2002 Honda S2000
1997 BMW 318 iC
t65tampa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2007, 03:29 PM   #11 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Chris Mackey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 2,587
I thought about leaving them off, but someone pointed out that the bolt head is pretty close to your head. It could be very painful.
__________________
2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs.

ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com
Chris Mackey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2008, 11:10 AM   #12 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Faze's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 196
I decided to get some Exige covers as well, much nicer. Here's a photo of them side by side (Exige one is installed). The covers are about $23 for the pair - Part number is A117U6014F from LotusGarage.com. The best part is you don't destroy them when you need to take them off again. They are also lighter

__________________
--
2006 Lotus Elise - Starlight on black, black badges, HT, touring/sport/premium packages - HID, Katana SC, Clam-tilt
2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL
2006 Kawasaki KLX-250S
2008 KTM 450 EXC-R

Last edited by Faze : 02-24-2008 at 11:16 AM.
Faze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2008, 11:16 AM   #13 (permalink)
perfututum futūtor
 
RoadDad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,989
I've been contemplating that change for awhile. That does look a lot nicer.
__________________
"Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus.
Me... I don't need to.
Bite me." -Randy
RoadDad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2008, 10:48 PM   #14 (permalink)
Registered User
 
VegasT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 146
They're useless..... always popping off....

I took mine off my Elise the first day i drove it.

I like the new design on my Exige S... don't think I will touch those.
__________________
2007 Lotus Exige S
2005 Lotus Elise (Sold)
2003 Hummer H2 (Daily driver)
2007 Merc. E-550 Sport (Wifes car)
VegasT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2008, 02:27 AM   #15 (permalink)
Director of Engineering
 
chuck_risen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: I live in Glen Ellyn IL, a suburb of Chicago.
Posts: 914
They do pop apart easily but go back together just as easy with a little epoxy. They didn't use enough glue on mine but after I put on a little epoxy they have been on and off about at least 6 times and have not come apart again. Not the best design Lotus. It should have been a molded hinge like most auto manufacturers do:
1: Easy to do with plastic
2: Costs less
3: Doesn't have the glue to deal with
4: Easier to work with because you don't have to be worried about breaking it again
chuck_risen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2008, 05:14 AM   #16 (permalink)
High Roller
 
JUNGLISTluder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 808
Images: 6
Just ordered my new covers. Thanks Faze!
__________________
96 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta
06 Lotus Elise Supercharged - SOLD
88 BMW 528is
JUNGLISTluder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2008, 08:28 AM   #17 (permalink)
Moderator
 
TimMullen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 11,363
Images: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by elise seeker View Post
I'm thinking of removing the plastic covers that cover the seat belt hooks behind the drive's seat... they are bulky and don't fit the car. I think the bare metal will look better anyways.
See next quote.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Mackey View Post
I thought about leaving them off, but someone pointed out that the bolt head is pretty close to your head. It could be very painful.
+1 - I don't understand people that remove safety items for a very minor "improvement" in looks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VegasT View Post
They're useless..... always popping off....

I took mine off my Elise the first day i drove it.
See previous quote.

Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck_risen View Post
It should have been a molded hinge like most auto manufacturers do:
Mine was one piece (I believe) - but the "hinge" broke (the "tabs" showed stress/break lines). It was that way on the day I picked up the car. The cover was later replace with a new one (under warranty) and I've had no further problems.
__________________
Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels.

I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner


Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/
05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple.
94 Miata R Package - Black
72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White
TimMullen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2008, 11:55 AM   #18 (permalink)
perfututum futūtor
 
RoadDad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,989
Tim is using common sense. Hit your head on the cover -- not so bad. Hit your head on that exposed bolt -- you may have a hole in your head. It's not as hard to do as you think it might be.
__________________
"Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus.
Me... I don't need to.
Bite me." -Randy
RoadDad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2008, 02:29 PM   #19 (permalink)
"Are you in a band??"
 
jesterbot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 456
Quote:
Originally Posted by Faze View Post
I decided to get some Exige covers as well, much nicer. Here's a photo of them side by side (Exige one is installed). The covers are about $23 for the pair - Part number is A117U6014F from LotusGarage.com. The best part is you don't destroy them when you need to take them off again. They are also lighter

Very clean look - Funny how the old ones just look cheap and ill-fitted in comparison. Ordered - thanks!
__________________

20XX Lotus Evora SC
2009 Star Raider
2007 F-150 Lariat
2006 SY Elise - SOLD
jesterbot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2008, 02:31 PM   #20 (permalink)
Registered User
 
Faze's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 196
Yeah, I think they took them out of the same Hummer parts bin as the rear view mirror.
__________________
--
2006 Lotus Elise - Starlight on black, black badges, HT, touring/sport/premium packages - HID, Katana SC, Clam-tilt
2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL
2006 Kawasaki KLX-250S
2008 KTM 450 EXC-R
Faze is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

  LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community > Lotus Discussions > Interior/Exterior



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:35 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0