[petroboy]

I'm sure this has been addressed before. I tried a number of searches and could not find a relevant topic. I apologize in advance if this is a repost.

I need to get a track inspection before LOG29. The shop I prefer is roughly 16 miles from my house. To save time and expense, and to make sure nothing is over-tightened, I prefer to remove (and then replace) the undertray and diffuser myself to enable the inspection. It is not convenient to do this at the shop.

I am concerned that driving the car without the undertray and diffuser is a bad idea, but I don't have a feel for the relative level of risk involved.

I would appreciate advice on the risks and/or potential realistic hazards in this scenario.

 

[Bavarian Motorist]

I've driven without the diffuser for many miles and it's fine. Not without undertray though...

 

[sleeprfocus]

If there isn't a lot of debris on your roads and you're not planning to go at freeway speeds, it probably won't be a big deal.

 

[Mr. Know]

One of the panels is definitely structural...although I'm at a loss as far as which one is required to operate the vehicle. Check the owner's manual, I believe it tells you specifically not to drive without a certain panel in place.

 

[holmz]

One of the panels is definitely structural...although I'm at a loss as far as which one is required to operate the vehicle. Check the owner's manual, I believe it tells you specifically not to drive without a certain panel in place.

Well it is the one between the read diffuser and the floor pan.
The one that covers the fuel tank, that has a bunch of big bolts.
There would be little reason to have that one off.

 

[petroboy]

Well it is the one between the read diffuser and the floor pan.
The one that covers the fuel tank, that has a bunch of big bolts.
There would be little reason to have that one off.

Yeah, I'm not talking about the shear panel. I'm only talking about the ones held on by the 8mm bolts and the two center Torx/13mm bolts.

I figure every other road car drives around all the time without any under-body protection from road debris, so the risks in the Elise aren't much greater.

I'm only worried that I'm missing something major and obvious, for which I will be mocked mercilessly when something goes horribly awry.

 

[Mr_Baker]

I'm only worried that I'm missing something major and obvious, for which I will be mocked mercilessly when something goes horribly awry.

You are, but unfortunately we can't tell you about it. Or I'm kidding, sorry.

 

[R'elise Me]

nothing structural about the undertray. You can drive it w/o.

 

[BatmobileS240]

You can drive without the undertray.