spare wheel bracket

chaps
I have fitted a nato hitch to my 90, all ok so far, except for
when I try to use the hitch the spare wheel is in the way.

I have decided to bite the bullet and go for the macho "wheel on roof
rack" look, but obviously when the spare is removed, you end up with 3 long
bolts just waiting to take someone's eye out. So gents can you advise me on
taking off the bolts along with the 50 or so Philips screws holding the
plate on.

Will the bolts detach from the plate so I can refit it just leaving the
silver plate or will I have to put a new panel on the door

tiy
Eddie

IIRC the mounting bolts are integral to the inner bit of the set up, and are
welded on. Just take it all off and cover the area with a suitable bit of
alu plate rivited on.

"mogg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> chaps
> I have fitted a nato hitch to my 90, all ok so far, except for
> when I try to use the hitch the spare wheel is in the way.
>
> I have decided to bite the bullet and go for the macho "wheel on roof
> rack" look, but obviously when the spare is removed, you end up with 3
> long
> bolts just waiting to take someone's eye out. So gents can you advise me
> on
> taking off the bolts along with the 50 or so Philips screws holding the
> plate on.
>
> Will the bolts detach from the plate so I can refit it just leaving the
> silver plate or will I have to put a new panel on the door
>
> tiy
> Eddie
>
>

"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> IIRC the mounting bolts are integral to the inner bit of the set up, and
are
> welded on. Just take it all off and cover the area with a suitable bit of
> alu plate rivited on.

Sadly the bolts are not at all well fixed on, One of mine has fallen off.
I'd advise putting a nut on the thread and bashing it with a hammer, the
weld will probably fail and the bolt will come out.

If not, an angle grinder will take it off.
TonyB

"TonyB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> IIRC the mounting bolts are integral to the inner bit of the set up, and
> are
>> welded on. Just take it all off and cover the area with a suitable bit of
>> alu plate rivited on.
>
> Sadly the bolts are not at all well fixed on, One of mine has fallen off.
> I'd advise putting a nut on the thread and bashing it with a hammer, the
> weld will probably fail and the bolt will come out.
>
> If not, an angle grinder will take it off.
> TonyB
>
But if you do that, you can't sell it on eBay ;-)