I received a few goodies for my birthday, side-strakes rotory accents, etc... and Chrome Exhaust Shrouds-- However, after reading the instructions, they specify you must remove the rear bumper to install... Talk about a serious pain in the A$$.

So, I got my thinking cap on, and was able to install them in 15minutes/side w/out removing the rear bumper. All thats needed besides whats specified in the instructions:

(1) Radio Shack Propane-Based Soldering Iron (They run $14-$20 bucks usually).

Steps:

1) Insert the shroud as snugly as possible.
2) At various angles, 'melt' out the hold thats present for the bolt
3) Remove tail shroud
4) See if bolt fits (it won't the first time), continue to auger the hole out with the soldering iron-- test as you go until the screw fits through.
5) Reach around the exhaust underneeth (its not that tight actually), and place the washer/nut on the bolt.
6) Using a cresent wrench clamp onto the nut.
7) Screw in from the bottom using and end-wrench (the cresent wrench will turn and eventually stop when it hits underneith)
8) Pull the rear tabs down in back and wrap them around the bottom plastic...

..Congradulations, you have now installed 1 of 2 tail shrouds.

-- Aaron

Thanks,
Now I can do mne, I have been putting it off until now.
Great short-cut.

The Baller

Where are the pics?

Congrats on the goodies, somebody has described and documented the exhaust finisher installation without removing the bumper. If I recall the information was linked to another page offsite. Not home at the moment to look at my bookmarks, if I find it, I'll post it here.


EDIT: Actually I found it by doing a search for "exhaust finisher install". Here ya go:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9241&highlight=exhaust+finisher+install

This is such a handy idea that, even though it's been done previously, I'm inclined to leave it as a DIY thread... IF you at least throw a pic or two up please. ;)

Seriously, there's no reason for a pic... its just going to be me poking a hole through the bolt-hole of the exhaust shroud with a soldering iron..its so simple if you need a pic, you probably shouldn't be doing it yourself :-)

check out the other post... I put pics up today.

Thanks amartin,
Just finished my install in 10 min. using your method.
Nice extra detail.
Now for the parking brake in red.

Another shot

fixing pictures

fixing pictures
Nice chrome finishers...haha