Rear diffuser removal

[cncBilly]

Well, how did it go? Got any tips for me???

Ya did it yesterday. Went pretty good...looks fantastic. I will put something together for you later today. It's 4:20 A.M. here and I'm currently doing a security shift at my yacht club and have an hour to go then off to my boat for 5 or 6 hours sleep.

 

[Dom]

Ya did it yesterday. Went pretty good...looks fantastic. I will put something together for you later today. It's 4:20 A.M. here and I'm currently doing a security shift at my yacht club and have an hour to go then off to my boat for 5 or 6 hours sleep.

Cheers! It's 12.30 here now. You must be 8 hours behind. Nearly time for lunch! I should be tackling the diffuser job on Wednesday so any tips/guidance will be much appreciated. Enjoy your rest!

 

[westcoastGT]

Cheers! It's 12.30 here now. You must be 8 hours behind. Nearly time for lunch! I should be tackling the diffuser job on Wednesday so any tips/guidance will be much appreciated. Enjoy your rest!

I helped Bill with the re and re , its not difficult , 2 pairs of hands would be helpful , you definitely need to drill out the 2 rivets on each side and when reintalling just use 2 screws to reattach the ends where they were. Bill has pics , it really turned out beautifully , he is virtually 100 % CF on the outside components now !

 

[Dom]

I helped Bill with the re and re , its not difficult , 2 pairs of hands would be helpful , you definitely need to drill out the 2 rivets on each side and when reintalling just use 2 screws to reattach the ends where they were. Bill has pics , it really turned out beautifully , he is virtually 100 % CF on the outside components now !

When all the clips etc have been removed does it just pull off? Do the tailpipes come off with it or should they be unbolted from the diffuser first?

 

[nhcowboy28]

When all the clips etc have been removed does it just pull off? Do the tailpipes come off with it or should they be unbolted from the diffuser first?

The tips are attached to the black lower diffuser with 2 or 3 screws (can’t remember how many exactly)

 

[westcoastGT]

When all the clips etc have been removed does it just pull off? Do the tailpipes come off with it or should they be unbolted from the diffuser first?

You have to be firm and a bit aggressive to remove it but its very straight ahead once all the hardware is removed , the tailpipes are attached with a single screw to the difusser .............perfect time to paint them if you wanted !!

 

[Dom]

The tips are attached to the black lower diffuser with 2 or 3 screws (can’t remember how many exactly)

I know that but can you pull the diffuser off with the tips attached or must you unscrew them first?

 

[cncBilly]

I know that but can you pull the diffuser off with the tips attached or must you unscrew them first?

Ok Dom here you go. The job all in all was easy but not simple. You do have to drill out two rivets, one on each side. I circled one in photo 1 they are soft a drill out very quick. Then basically it's 4 bolts ( 10mm) that hold the diffuser to the bottom of the exhaust outlets 2 each side, circled in photo 3 and a number of push-pins like circled in photo 1, a proper tool helps with these. The exhaust outlets will come off with the diffuser, then are removed from the diffuser, two screws each. Now look at the cicles on photo 3, braces are attched to these with push-pins and are a bit tricky getting out and putting back. Once all the push-pins are out start pulling the diffuser. Start at one side by were the rivets were and pull firmly but with caution and the clips will start coming out. The diffuser is quite flexable so it's kinda like peeling it off from one side to the other. Phote 4 just shows what we replaced the rivets with, I will likely replace these with smaller stainless. Before you start hose the the hell out of the inside of the diffuser, a lot of dirt and gravel was built up in there that you don't want in your face as you're lying there on your back. Putting the new one on we started from the centre and worked out, in hindsight I think it might have been easier to work from one side to the other. We had a bitch of a time getting the last 4 or 5 clips on each side by the rivets. With the diffuser being so flexable I think working one side to the other might work better. I huge thank you to my "Stinger Winger" Westcoast. He once again provided the work space and the enthusiastic help that made the job a blast. Thank you so much Westcoast you're a beautiful person that I am so happy to have met. Good luck Dom. Cheers.

 

[westcoastGT]

Ok Dom here you go. The job all in all was easy but not simple. You do have to drill out two rivets, one on each side. I circled one in photo 1 they are soft a drill out very quick. Then basically it's 4 bolts ( 10mm) that hold the diffuser to the bottom of the exhaust outlets 2 each side, circled in photo 3 and a number of push-pins like circled in photo 1, a proper tool helps with these. The exhaust outlets will come off with the diffuser, then are removed from the diffuser, two screws each. Now look at the cicles on photo 3, braces are attched to these with push-pins and are a bit tricky getting out and putting back. Once all the push-pins are out start pulling the diffuser. Start at one side by were the rivets were and pull firmly but with caution and the clips will start coming out. The diffuser is quite flexable so it's kinda like peeling it off from one side to the other. Phote 4 just shows what we replaced the rivets with, I will likely replace these with smaller stainless. Before you start hose the the hell out of the inside of the diffuser, a lot of dirt and gravel was built up in there that you don't want in your face as you're lying there on your back. Putting the new one on we started from the centre and worked out, in hindsight I think it might have been easier to work from one side to the other. We had a bitch of a time getting the last 4 or 5 clips on each side by the rivets. With the diffuser being so flexable I think working one side to the other might work better. I huge thank you to my "Stinger Winger" Westcoast. He once again provided the work space and the enthusiastic help that made the job a blast. Thank you so much Westcoast you're a beautiful person that I am so happy to have met. Good luck Dom. Cheers.

My "Stinger Winger " Bill's car looks awesome with all the new CF parts !! And the feeling is mutual buddy !!

Cheers

WCGT

 

[Dom]

Ok Dom here you go. The job all in all was easy but not simple. You do have to drill out two rivets, one on each side. I circled one in photo 1 they are soft a drill out very quick. Then basically it's 4 bolts ( 10mm) that hold the diffuser to the bottom of the exhaust outlets 2 each side, circled in photo 3 and a number of push-pins like circled in photo 1, a proper tool helps with these. The exhaust outlets will come off with the diffuser, then are removed from the diffuser, two screws each. Now look at the cicles on photo 3, braces are attched to these with push-pins and are a bit tricky getting out and putting back. Once all the push-pins are out start pulling the diffuser. Start at one side by were the rivets were and pull firmly but with caution and the clips will start coming out. The diffuser is quite flexable so it's kinda like peeling it off from one side to the other. Phote 4 just shows what we replaced the rivets with, I will likely replace these with smaller stainless. Before you start hose the the hell out of the inside of the diffuser, a lot of dirt and gravel was built up in there that you don't want in your face as you're lying there on your back. Putting the new one on we started from the centre and worked out, in hindsight I think it might have been easier to work from one side to the other. We had a bitch of a time getting the last 4 or 5 clips on each side by the rivets. With the diffuser being so flexable I think working one side to the other might work better. I huge thank you to my "Stinger Winger" Westcoast. He once again provided the work space and the enthusiastic help that made the job a blast. Thank you so much Westcoast you're a beautiful person that I am so happy to have met. Good luck Dom. Cheers.

Terrific! Thank you so much for your detailed description and photos. What a fantastic help. Enjoy your CF diffuser!

 

[westcoastGT]

Terrific! Thank you so much for your detailed description and photos. What a fantastic help. Enjoy your CF diffuser!

something else we did with the OEM difusser off was to wrap the red bumper reflectors in black CF vinyl for a more stealth look ...................

 

[Dom]

Ok Dom here you go. The job all in all was easy but not simple. You do have to drill out two rivets, one on each side. I circled one in photo 1 they are soft a drill out very quick. Then basically it's 4 bolts ( 10mm) that hold the diffuser to the bottom of the exhaust outlets 2 each side, circled in photo 3 and a number of push-pins like circled in photo 1, a proper tool helps with these. The exhaust outlets will come off with the diffuser, then are removed from the diffuser, two screws each. Now look at the cicles on photo 3, braces are attched to these with push-pins and are a bit tricky getting out and putting back. Once all the push-pins are out start pulling the diffuser. Start at one side by were the rivets were and pull firmly but with caution and the clips will start coming out. The diffuser is quite flexable so it's kinda like peeling it off from one side to the other. Phote 4 just shows what we replaced the rivets with, I will likely replace these with smaller stainless. Before you start hose the the hell out of the inside of the diffuser, a lot of dirt and gravel was built up in there that you don't want in your face as you're lying there on your back. Putting the new one on we started from the centre and worked out, in hindsight I think it might have been easier to work from one side to the other. We had a bitch of a time getting the last 4 or 5 clips on each side by the rivets. With the diffuser being so flexable I think working one side to the other might work better. I huge thank you to my "Stinger Winger" Westcoast. He once again provided the work space and the enthusiastic help that made the job a blast. Thank you so much Westcoast you're a beautiful person that I am so happy to have met. Good luck Dom. Cheers.

Two questions!
Is it necessary to remove the bolts shown in photo 3? Will the exhaust tips not simply come offf with the diffuser if you leave it attached?
I notice the tabs on the diffuser have a little lip on them where the go into the painted bumper section. Do you just pull the diffuser out when all the hardware has been removed or should you press each tab down from behind as you remove it?
Many thanks.
Dom

 

[nhcowboy28]

Two questions!
Is it necessary to remove the bolts shown in photo 3? Will the exhaust tips not simply come offf with the diffuser if you leave it attached?
I notice the tabs on the diffuser have a little lip on them where the go into the painted bumper section. Do you just pull the diffuser out when all the hardware has been removed or should you press each tab down from behind as you remove it?
Many thanks.
Dom

You don’t HAVE to I suppose. Tips are attached only to the diffuser. Not to the exhaust. I pushed the tabs on the inside while gently pulling the black diffuser from the outside.

 

[cncBilly]

Two questions!
Is it necessary to remove the bolts shown in photo 3? Will the exhaust tips not simply come offf with the diffuser if you leave it attached?
I notice the tabs on the diffuser have a little lip on them where the go into the painted bumper section. Do you just pull the diffuser out when all the hardware has been removed or should you press each tab down from behind as you remove it?
Many thanks.
Dom

1). Not sure but there is only 4 of them and they come out in seconds.
2). Once you get the first few tabs out they will just pull out with a little tugging.

 

[Dom]

Ok Dom here you go. The job all in all was easy but not simple. You do have to drill out two rivets, one on each side. I circled one in photo 1 they are soft a drill out very quick. Then basically it's 4 bolts ( 10mm) that hold the diffuser to the bottom of the exhaust outlets 2 each side, circled in photo 3 and a number of push-pins like circled in photo 1, a proper tool helps with these. The exhaust outlets will come off with the diffuser, then are removed from the diffuser, two screws each. Now look at the cicles on photo 3, braces are attched to these with push-pins and are a bit tricky getting out and putting back. Once all the push-pins are out start pulling the diffuser. Start at one side by were the rivets were and pull firmly but with caution and the clips will start coming out. The diffuser is quite flexable so it's kinda like peeling it off from one side to the other. Phote 4 just shows what we replaced the rivets with, I will likely replace these with smaller stainless. Before you start hose the the hell out of the inside of the diffuser, a lot of dirt and gravel was built up in there that you don't want in your face as you're lying there on your back. Putting the new one on we started from the centre and worked out, in hindsight I think it might have been easier to work from one side to the other. We had a bitch of a time getting the last 4 or 5 clips on each side by the rivets. With the diffuser being so flexable I think working one side to the other might work better. I huge thank you to my "Stinger Winger" Westcoast. He once again provided the work space and the enthusiastic help that made the job a blast. Thank you so much Westcoast you're a beautiful person that I am so happy to have met. Good luck Dom. Cheers.

Well, job done! It was like you said - easy but not simple. The hardest part was getting the two screws out (and back in) that screw into the diffuser at the top on either side of the centre lip - not the screws belonging to the exhaust tips. There was very little access to them. The push-pins in the braces were also tricky like you said.
Anyhow thanks again for you help - it was invaluable!

 

[cncBilly]

Well, job done! It was like you said - easy but not simple. The hardest part was getting the two screws out (and back in) that screw into the diffuser at the top on either side of the centre lip - not the screws belonging to the exhaust tips. There was very little access to them. The push-pins in the braces were also tricky like you said.
Anyhow thanks again for you help - it was invaluable!

Right on, that's what it's all about. Cheers

 

[westcoastGT]

Well, job done! It was like you said - easy but not simple. The hardest part was getting the two screws out (and back in) that screw into the diffuser at the top on either side of the centre lip - not the screws belonging to the exhaust tips. There was very little access to them. The push-pins in the braces were also tricky like you said.
Anyhow thanks again for you help - it was invaluable!

Hey Dom did you take any before and after pics ??

 

[Dom]

Hey Dom did you take any before and after pics ??

I did. I’ll upload them tomorrow - too much wine drunk at present, God knows what I’d upload!

 

[westcoastGT]

I did. I’ll upload them tomorrow - too much wine drunk at present, God knows what I’d upload!

Give it a go , we'll be the judge ................bawaaaaaa

 

[Dom]

Hey Dom did you take any before and after pics ??

Here we go!