Interior Exterior
Q:
So at a local autocross event today, I managed to absolutely obliterate some cones. In the process I lightly cracked and chiped out some paint on the corner of the lower part of the square where the license plate mounts in the front.
I also lightly bent the aluminum sheet under the front of the car over a large (5 inch) area from the impact of the cone(s) base. I think I can remove just the sheet and 'flatten' it, and this would also expose the entire front near and under the license plate mount, where I can reinforce the crack, then repair it, without removing the clam?
See attached pic (the light area is due to the camera flash, though some paint is missing), but you'll get the general area.
A:
Yes, this is a common point of failure and can be fixed with the clam on the car.
You need a small UberetteClam
A:
UberetteClam ?
A:
A smaller version of my UberClam. Some foam/backing fiberglass in that area.
If it was me and I was autocrossing a new Elise, I would do this as a preventative measure.
A:
ah I read that thread.. yeah that would have been nice, but I'm really not keen on removing the clam if I don't have too. Hopefully I can get under there, and repair it, paint it, etc.. maye I'll add some foam.
A:
Jeff-you can take off the front service panel and get to this area from behind without removing the clam. Put the car on jackstands in the front to get some more working space. It's all right there. And I have the exact same damage already. I haven't gotten around to fixing it quite yet.
A:
102nd use for duct tape?
A:
I'd fix it (or at least reinforce it) soon. As Randy can attest, little cracks become big ones fairly quickly. The body is so thin, any crack creates a big problem. I also put a slight bend in my front aluminum under panel-it easily straightened out. My clam was another issue. It had to come off for the repair.
Tom
A:
102nd use for duct tape?
There might be more truth to this statement than you think. I'm thinking of using it on the long crack going way back, and then using a fiberglass patch on the nose part, inside and out. We shall see.
A:
where can i find more info on UberetteClam