924Board.org

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

1. I have a stock 3-part 924S/944 rear spoiler that I want to attach to my hatch. I have removed the studs from the spoiler, and IIRC, read somewhere that it can be attached to the hatch with epoxy. I looked this weekend at my local auto parts stores, and they were all freaked out about me trying to epoxy the spoiler on the glass. The strongest cold weld stuff I saw was from Permatex, and was a two-part epoxy rated at 4500 psi. Would something like that be sufficient? Any other suggestions?

2. I need to replace my aging hatch struts. Considering the extra weight of the spoiler, I'm guessing I should go with 924S or 944 hatch struts, but I'm concerned about fitment. Any suggestions / recommendations?
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Mikri184 · Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Posts: 746 Location: Ferndale, WA

I have seen many of these attached with glue or apoxy, not sure on what type was used, but seem to work quite well. It may end up being trial and error, but if you talk to a glass tint place they maybe able to direct you in a good adhesive. And yes if your hatch struts are aging should replace the extra weight of the spoiler will defiantely not stay up with crappy shocks.
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Life is to short to be looking for something?

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

So can I just install 944 hatch struts??? Are they the same fitment???
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Yes, 944 hatch struts will fit on a 924 hatch no problems.

I was missing one hatch strut when I got my car, so I installed 2 used 944 struts. It is good to use old ones as they don't apply as much pressure to the hatch as new ones, which will help not seperate the glass from the frame.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Alex Roy · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 7:06 am Post subject:

I've installed two spoilers just by taking off the three metal trim pieces around the edge of the hatch (you have to leave the top one though), then drilling the screw holes in the hatch frame. It's pretty nerve wracking though, as if you hit the glass with the drill, you can shatter the glass.

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

CMXXXI · Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1939 Location: Vicksburg, MS

I'm confused... your signature says '81 - don't all 924/931 after 1979 or 80 have a spoiler? Or do you have a replacement hatch from an earlier non-spoiler car?

Secondly, I was under the impression that the larger 944/951 wings were direct bolt-on replacements to the smaller stock 924/931/924S wings.

Have I missed something all along here?
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'79 Eurospec 931

tj924 · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:32 am Post subject:

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Spoilers were not even offered as an option on the early NA's. First cars to get them were the 931's.

As for bonding that piece to the hatch:

Scuff the crap out of the hatch frame with scotch-brite, scuff the area of the spoiler that will be attaching it and use something like panel adhesive. You can find it at at the link below or try a local auto body supply house.

It is used to bond repair panels on the body without welding them so it will be plenty strong.

http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=1654&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=epoxy+adhesive
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MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
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jpab924 · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject:

leadfoot · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 5:30 pm Post subject:

Polyurathane adhesive.... not epoxy resin.... that's for surfboards....
Just make sure you measure it all up. It should hang a little over the edge on the rear for the best fit, it's not exactly the same shape.
I attached the sides to the main wing before putting it all on the hatch.
Use clamps to line everything up before you glue and make sure you dont fill in the water drain channels.
Clamp everything when adhesive is setting, get some of the locking variety and use some wood to space out the pressure on the main wing, important to keep this flush with the glass.
Leadfoot

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

I'm pretty certain this car never came with a spoiler, and based on the condition the car was in when I got it, I highly doubt that the PO would have had the initiative to replace the hatch, even if the glass were broken...probably would have used a garbage bag.

Bolting the spoiler on is not an option, as there are no bolt holes in the existing hatch, and I don't want to risk ruining a perfectly good hatch for a spoiler I picked up for $50. I figure if the glue-on spoiler idea doesn't work, I figure I can always restore the hatch back to the way it is.

I was also having trouble understanding how the hatch struts could cause the frame and glass to separate, so I was glad to see JPab's post. I'll be sure to use 2 hands, just like I do on the steering wheel

Looks like I'll be scraping off all that nice new flat black paint I just applied to the hatch frame

Wasn't sure until I got the hatch if the frame would be visible. Mark, thanks for the pointer to the panel adhesive. Think I'll give it a try. I'll post results and pix when it's done.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Leadfoot
Thanks for the extra tips ... hadn't thought of some of those ideas, and I can see how it will definitely help get a good tight fitment. Looking forward to tackling this one, but will have to wait until next weekend...stay tuned.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

crazyinkc · Joined: 10 Nov 2002 Posts: 226 Location: Olathe KS

Or you could come down to Kansas City and take the hatch I have sitting behind my friends garage. It is already drilled and ready for a spoiler. I think I have the spoiler too but I think a few of the studs are broke off. The hatch is free if you want to come and pick it up. I do not want to ship it sorry.

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI