Ehh title seemed appropriate. Just finished reinstalling my louvers after a 12 year hiatus. Repainted flat black and intend to paint the new aero wing the same when it arrives Friday.

Easier said then done though. Since taking the louvers off way back when I've moved a few times and lost all but the two hinge brackets ( only have those because they were stuck on and I couldn't get them off). Went through the usual searches and found that the hardware is next to impossible to find.

Here was my solution; I have the 1 piece aluminum variety and its been with or on the car since day 1 according to paperwork. I started off making replica hardware based off photos and that didn't go badly but was very time consuming. Finally called around and found out most after markets today are installed via double sided tapes and sealed with silicone. Hmmm.

Using the hinge mounts I made 4 more "tabs". 1"x1" metal squares with a nut welded in place. Paint and finesse later I was able to remove the dzus connectors from louvers and replace with beefy industrial looking thumb screws ( allen head). Next were the 2 lower brackets. These would also be adhered in the same way but would have a longer tab to slide under the back deck giving it at least some mechanical hold.

As you can see they aren't the ugliest homemade bracket in the world and they stay almost totally out of site.

I used 3m heavy duty outdoor double sided tape on each backside and then sealed around them with a black silicone sealant.

They are setting overnight and then later Friday I will put it all back together.

My only question I guess is will the tape stand the test of time. When I removed them the first time they also had a similar product on and it was a fight to remove so I know the concept is right.

 

Pictures being attached would help 8-)

 

A quick update; 5 out of 6 bracket pads stayed put through a sunny day and stormy night. The one that failed is only noticeable from inside and is still halfway stuck. Test fitted the aero spoiler today and looks like there might be an issue at the wings. Anyone had a similar issue with this? My next plan is to loosen up the louvers and see if I can get everyone to play nice.

I know the original setup worked together but as we know the new wing is rigid where the OEM was somewhat plyable.

 

I am not a big fan of the louvers but those look Ok , keeps the heat out and I am all for that. Keep us posted on your progress I am thinking of investing in a glass Aerowing myself.

 

I've found in regards to the louvers either you like them or you dont. I did early on but grew tired of them looking faded and leaves kept getting stuck under it ( previous to me someone used heavy duty tape to secure every contact to the glass, making opening it next to impossible. )
Once I did, I just took them off. Now I do appreciate them more because they really do keep the back interior from fading and drying out.

 

OK so I was right sadly. With both attached neither fit. The aero wing ends up sitting on a good 1/2 inch of both sides of the bottom louvers...I can get the wing points into place and they sit right with no overhang. Closer to the base and its a no go.

Options;
1) install anyway. The result would look OK from first glance with about a 1/4" gap on part of the deck since both pieces are painted the same. Problem is I would have to remove spoiler anytime I wanted to open louvres.

2) modify the louvers to be narrower at the bottom 3 rails. Could be done, just don't want to screw it up. Also don't know what final product would look like.

3) modify spoiler to fit. This would mean removing inside portions to fit around the louvers.

Options 2 & 3 offer me the ability to open the louvers as needed, but require mods. Option 1 is perhaps less work but I question the end results.

I assume that the OEM spoiler dealt with this by being somewhat bendy. Fiberglass not so much.

Opinions?

 

Dont know about the wing but 2thumbs up for making your louvers work!!

 

I'll post some pics in a few of what I'm seeing. Probably have to take a trip to local shop to see what they can do. Frustrating to get so close

 

Top looking down


Other side

 

Lack of experience on my end, sorry I cant offer any help.
I would guess to cut the center section & add a to it to take the ends further outward.??.

 

I'm thinking remove the lower portion of the wing so it will kind of site adjacent to the louver. Have to get to work on Photoshop I suppose 8-)

 

Did some more detective work today. Looks like the lower edges of my louvers have some odd texture to them. I noticed this before but assumed it was from rubbing against the spoiler back in the day. Now I'm thinking the look like saw markings...as in it was shaved down to fit with the spoiler. This is interesting for 2 reasons. 1 the louvers were on the car when it was originally sold at the dealership ( according to my documents) and 2 perhaps that means it was done by the dealer at the buyers request. They just made it work.

Regardless after some more fiddling I think I might onto a hybrid solution. Have the spoiler widened as suggested above but also shave down the lower portion of the louvers. There still lies an issue though...I could only widen the back portion about a 1/2" total and still leave a 1/4" space on the outside for appearance. Would that be enough and would it be worth the cost. If all else fails I will just take the louvers off and install the wing and tint the back window I suppose until I can comeup with a better solution.

 

Talked with shop today. Widening the back is the way to go. Suggested I cut about halfway in and see if I can gain some spread that way. If not take it in two and add for width.