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Exige Front tow hook

3393 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Iben
Hello,

How does one remove the plastic screw so that I can install the front tow hook? I tried both turning it and pulling it and I don't want to break anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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It unscrews. Try some gloves for a better grip or use some pliers.
No luck - I've tried pliers, large flathead screwdriver, etc. and it just doesn't seem to give?
Sorry, you've failed the Exige ownership test...please turn in your keys. :D

As Shinoo stated, it should unscrew like a regular bolt. Left or Counterclockwise to get it removed. Someone may have screwed it too hard to the right or clockwise, thereby stripping the threads. If it just spins, then that is the case and you may have to get slightly medieval on it.
Sorry, you've failed the Exige ownership test...please turn in your keys. :D

As Shinoo stated, it should unscrew like a regular bolt. Left or Counterclockwise to get it removed. Someone may have screwed it too hard to the right or clockwise, thereby stripping the threads. If it just spins, then that is the case and you may have to get slightly medieval on it.
:) Mine doesn't even turn - it's to the point where if I try any harder, I'll strip the plastic head. I put enough pressure on it that the car will roll back if I don't have the e-brake on. I tried this about 2 weeks ago when I first took delivery of the car and when I first looked at it, thought it would be a piece of cake.
...I put enough pressure on it that the car will roll back...
The car should roll on it's side not roll back. Are you sure you are talking about the same plastic screw in the front grill that everyone else is talking about?
You should be pulling on it for the car to roll forward not pushing to roll back. The plastic piece has slots to use a flat screw drive no? If all else fails just drill into it and remove the plastic bits.
vice grips>?
I think he means he's pushing hard enough to move the car while he's trying to turn it.
Tow hook

:) Mine doesn't even turn - it's to the point where if I try any harder, I'll strip the plastic head. I put enough pressure on it that the car will roll back if I don't have the e-brake on. I tried this about 2 weeks ago when I first took delivery of the car and when I first looked at it, thought it would be a piece of cake.


The tow hook is made of ordinary steel and is full of rust. This is the reason why the plastig screw is stuck.
My hook started to rust all over and I could't remove the plastic screw (it got destroyd).

I removet the tow hook completly. If I need to tow the car I'll use one of the wishbones.
The tow hook is made of ordinary steel and is full of rust. This is the reason why the plastig screw is stuck.
My hook started to rust all over and I could't remove the plastic screw (it got destroyd).

I removet the tow hook completly. If I need to tow the car I'll use one of the wishbones.
:no: Not a good idea - they are light weight and easy to bend.
Get a bunch of REALLY BIG guys; hold the plastic part firmly and have them turn the whole car counter-clockwise.:shrug:
The tow hook is made of ordinary steel and is full of rust. This is the reason why the plastig screw is stuck.
My hook started to rust all over and I could't remove the plastic screw (it got destroyd).

I removet the tow hook completly. If I need to tow the car I'll use one of the wishbones.
You also fail the Lotus Owner Qualification test. Read your manual.

xtn
Tow hook

:no: Not a good idea - they are light weight and easy to bend.
If you have looked at how the tow hook is conected/fastebed to the front crash structure (4 pieces of bolts to the glas fiber structure), I think it's better to use the wishbones to tow the car and I don't meen along the road but onto the rescue car/road help
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