ive had my trunklid spoiler "break off" several times since i got the car last september. stored it in winter so thats even less time ive used it. my problem is that everything ive tryed to hold the pedestals to the spoiler fails. always away from home. meaning i have to pull the spoiler off whereever i am or chance it comming off while driving. what do you use to keep these parts together. ive tryed different epoxys and some other stuff. nothing works.

 

Forget trying to re-use the plastic pedestals with a stud molded in it. The plastic just breks with age and the stud comes loose, Here's what I did. I made aluminum clips that I epoxied to the bottom of the spoiler. They are bent with a flat portion that matches the angle of the rear deck lid when you install the spoiler. I drilled a hole in that flat portion of the clip and slipped a j-clip onto them to hold the screw which mounts the spoiler from the stock hole locations. Mine has been installed this way for years now without any problems.

Lon

 

Alright Lon!

Give us some pics or something!

I've already lost one spoiler over this crap!

 

I had the same problem. What I did was, cut off the pedestals and glue bolts there with J-B weld. I also used a big washer for more grip area on the bolt head. Just make sure you get the angle right.

Ok it's now about three months later one bolt popped loose. It seems my idea isn't so good, J-B weld won't hold.

 

I like the bolt idea. What I did about a year ago was make new "posts" using 1/2 PVC pipe. I cut them down to the right height and epoxied them to the spoiler using Plastic Weld. The original brass studs were then epoxied into the centers of the PVC posts. I had to do some final shaping with a dremel tool.

I don't know how anyone thought those little plastic posts would stand up to years of opening and closing the trunk.

 

im not having a problem with the threaded insert coming out of the plastic stud. the plastic studs are i good shape. i just cant keep the studs attached to the spoiler.

 

You are lucky the plastic is not all cracked around the metal studs. You might try the Plastic Weld epoxy that I used. I think I bought it at an auto parts store but I am pretty sure that I have seen it at Home Depot too. The stuff smells terrible but it really seems hold.

I had orginally tried JB Weld. Usually I have good luck with it but for some reason I could only get it to hold for about a month or two and the studs would break off again.

 

Is this the kind of spoiler we are talking about or are we talking about the wing type?

 

Yes, the center section with HMSL (high moount stop light) is the convertible only spoiler we're discussing.

Just a FYI. I just discovered that ASC improved the spoiler attachment method slightly for model year 90 and up. They added an L-shaped metal clip that slips into a pop-riveted metal clip that is pop-rivited to the deck lid. The spoiler end pieces are attached to these clips with a single screw from each end. Previously it was only held on by the 4 plastic pedestals with integral molded threaded insert. When these plastic pedestals broke free of the spoiler or the metal inert broke free wave goodbye to the spoiler. At leats you had a better chance of keeping the spoiler on the car with the improvement ASC made with the 1990 model year.

Give me some time. I'm working on manufacturing formed metal brackets as I previously described and will be offering them on my web site. I'll have two versions. One kit for the 1987-89 will also include the formed metal tab that pop-rivets to the deck lid and L-shaped brackets in addition to the 4 center brackets. The 1990-92 kit will include just the 4 center brackets. Each kit will include everything needed to attach the spoiler to the car.

Lon

 

Mine had double sticky tape just inside front and lower back edges so that is how I reinstalled it and holds very well. I used 3M automotive trim tape.

 

Good info Lon.

I rem when I pulled my 91 vert wing and sold it to Ragtop I was like How the hell do these things FLY off when It has that metal rivited tab.

 

I'm sorry, Mabey i'm just a little slow. But i've been looking at mine and i can't see any screws to hold it down. Mines been loose since i baught it (wiggles about and inch front to back), and i've been neglecting it for some time now. Mabey somone can elaborate a little more on the screw locations. thanks...

 

Look on the inside of the trunk lid. You'll see 4 black plastic plugs. Pop those out and you'll see them. As I recall they were a nut with an integral washer. These are attached to a threaded post on the spoiler that is molded into a roughly 9/16 diameter gray plastic column that is epoxied to the underside of the center section of the spoiler. On 1989 or 90 (not sure which model year the change occurred) there is also an angle bracket that is slipped into a bracket that is pop-riveted to the outer trunk lid. A single screw was installed into it from the outer edges of the spoiler.

Lon

 

Great, i'll take a look tonight

 

I took off the top section running along the rear quarter panel to have it repainted. I cannot get it to sit back on the car exactly where it was without a 1/16th of an inch of faded paint showing. Double stick tape is not sticky enough. Help!

 

sorry for the double post...i need some help.

 

How about the spoiler end caps for the Bird, Where and what epoxy should I use for them? I'm of the mind I should repaiont before that, and address any water damage, but just not sure what steps to do
Mine is a pedestal mounted Firebird ASC car of course. Camaro wings are different
Bill

 

mine needs serious help at the moment

 

So lonsal,
When can we expect that kit you were talking about?

MarkB

 

still trying to figure this problem out. i used the strongest epoxy i could get and it broke the two outers posts off again last night. it keeps seperating the post from the spoiler. good thing i keep a ratchet and socket for it in the car. just what i didnt need to find out after the fuel pump died and had to have it towed. luckly i removed it right before they towed it.