Ian Longhurst Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 I want to remove my spare wheel bracket and No. Plate. Any tips on successful and tidy execution? Whats the best way of lighting no. plate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomGaval Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 Ian, Caterham sells an inexpensive bracket for the superlight's that pop rivets underneath the rear back panel. I just mounted one. The light shines upward onto the plate. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted June 14, 2001 Share Posted June 14, 2001 Mine was done like this: - remove bracket leaving half inch stubs. - std. rear number plate light bolts through the spare wheel retainer hole (carrier based light's wire is extended up to suit). - 19mm blanking grommets finish off the stubs. Then - metal rods inserted into removed carrier ends, fixed using 2 small cap head bolts (could use r-clips) per leg. - 2 small holes drilled in each stub on the car. This means I can reattach the carrier (metal rods slide into stubs on car and are held with more cap head bolts/r-clips) should I want some luggage carrying capacity or ever decide that having a spare is sensible. When reattaching it I take out the plate light on the rear and plug the wire for the light into the carrier based one (spade connector). The end result with the carrier removed doesn't look quite as Gucci as cars that never had a spare wheel carrier (in my opinion). BUT it does avoid having to fill the hole and makes the set up more versatile (I've yet to use the luggage carrier bit but probably will on Le Sept Sauve). Pictures of the rear are on page 8 here so you can see what it looks like. If you need any more detail on it (or any more images) let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelspeed Posted June 15, 2001 Share Posted June 15, 2001 I made my carrier removeable in exactly the same manner. I bought some very elegant plastic bungs that fit into the end of the sawn off tubes from RS, part no 237-2228. Trouble is I had to buy a bag of 100 when I only wanted 2. So if anyone wants a couple they're for sale at cost, 3p each, make cheques to.... Oh alright I'll stick them in the post, they're just cluttering up the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Longhurst Posted June 25, 2001 Author Share Posted June 25, 2001 Thanks Everyone, I went for Tom's bracket idea £3.60, excellent , easy and looks cool. No more walking into bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted June 26, 2001 Share Posted June 26, 2001 Having taken delivery of a SL spec car that was ordered (dealer mistake) Inow need to remove the carrier... thanks for the advice here, couple of questions however, I want to drop the no. plate to the btm of the rear panel, therefore think i should go for the SL fitting. Tom, if I do this can I bolt it on (rather than rivet) if I want to refit the wheel carrier (long trips for example)? I appreciate there is only the rear chassis member and alloy panel, where does the fitting actually rivet onto? Andy, I like your idea and visited your site, but can't see how the fitting would reassemble... do you fit the small cap head bolts through the carrier at 90 degrees to the inserted rod? Any chance of a closer photo of stubs and carrier? Sorry to be thick but I want to get it right before I get the hacksaw out. Finally, Chelspeed... can I scrounge some bungs? Quite happy to forward a SAE to you? Thanks Tricks Y67 CDS "Mutley" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 Yes the bolts go through the rods at 90deg. I'll happily get some better photos for you but am not likely to have the car back until the weekend. Can you wait? The only other issue with putting the plate lower is what you do with the hole in the rear panel that the spare wheel bolt went into... Chelspeed - I'd also like to send you an SAE (can you mail me your address pls. Always worth trying alternatives (and the blanking grommets can pop out at times - cheap to replace but if yours fit nicely, even better!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulBaker Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 All these people removing their spare tires, do you therefore have the wheel bracket going spare (you know the bit that screws the wheel onto the car) I have one of the old design ones, where it is just a plain screw thread and actually hold the tire up against the paint work. a) marking the paint, and b) having to remove the wheel to get into the boot. If someones got a spare of the new design (i,e you people with new cars who've just taken them off) (newer design actually holds the wheel away from the paint). Any going spare. They're only £12 new so I could just get a new one. But if there's one going begging..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 Paul, I'm keeping mine so that i can use it for long trips (European)... but my new car's bolt does not hold the wheel off the rear panel, though my old car (L6 KAR... L reg) did have a V bracket... I think it may depend on what wheels are origionally fitted. But i agree its worth distancing the wheel from the body work (5oo miles and the panel is marked!)... plus with 13" wheels its impossible to get to the centre rear studs on the cover. Andy, If it isn't too much hassle I would appreciate a close up photo, and hope i can return the favour at some stage... thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 As soon as I get it back I'll get a picture sorted. Unfortunately I've suffered yet more delays with the car and it's unlikely I'll have it until next week now (and what joy I'll have travelling up to St Helens and back in a Fiesta or Daewoo)! Am I just unlucky or have I chosen the wrong place to get work done. Answers on a postcard. As for the spare wheel bolt, I'm also keeping mine (I'm thinking of using it to solidly attach a box/case to the back for long distances...) but wasn't aware there was a different type. I think you might be able to use spacers to keep the wheel away from the body work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 Andy.... you have to live south of Watford I've decided if you own a seven... not much help for those of us in t'north (edinburgh and ireland for me)... anyway thanks again, if it makes you feel better I did 1200 miles in an F reg Golf last Thursday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murph7355 Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 I'm from Sheffield originally but have lived in the Sarf for about 8yrs now. Do you mean there aren't many service places up there? I read somewhere that something like 80% of 7s were sold within 70 miles of Caterham itself (must stop misquoting articles but it was something like this!). Haven't Caterham just organised some more approved agents around the country? Maybe there's a serious business opportunity...must get down to the local college and see what courses they have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomGaval Posted June 27, 2001 Share Posted June 27, 2001 Answer to question "can I bolt the light bracket instead of pop riviting it?" NO. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynicolson Posted June 28, 2001 Share Posted June 28, 2001 Andy, yes they have some service dealers who in my limited experience are as much use as a chocolate ash tray... don't think there are enough 7evens north of the border to justify a true specialist, I used to think about setting up myself, but have seen a number of such enterprises fall on their face, call me cautious. Anyway good weather here so that must be an excuse to go for a blas...................t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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