Front Spoiler Removal

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skippymoss
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Front Spoiler Removal

Post by skippymoss »

Just spent a chunk of my afternoon trying to remove my front spoiler in readiness for van painting.
Some of the pozi screws/ bolts came out fine.
But I've got half a dozen along the front that just spin and don't unscrew
I guess the rivnuts aren't tight?
So thought I'd get the drill out...
This makes heat and/or makes the washer spin and so it eats into the plastic of the spoiler.
:roll:
So gave up for today.
Any other ideas anyone?

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skippymoss
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by skippymoss »

Good, but a little bit hi tech I think;
http://www.clemson.edu/ces/cedar/images ... -TeamC.PDF" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Foam and magnets for me to stop the rattles :|

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skysurfin09
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by skysurfin09 »

Same here mate....half on half off. :(
'89 2.1 injected (Digijet)...travelling in hope over adversity

scottbott
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by scottbott »

some of mine turn as well when I tried to undo it,left it on the back burner for now as more important jobs to do,hope someone has an answer to the problem
Nil carborundum illegitimi

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skippymoss
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by skippymoss »

Didn't get a chance to have another go at this this evening.

However, plan so far is;
1. I would drill the bolts if I can find some way to stop them spinning around. Only alternative I can see is to grind them off (keep stopping to let them cool down - maybe use a bit of oil/ grease?) but I think that will be a slow job and a good way to ruin a plastic spoiler.
2. Move the spoiler out of harms way
3. Grind off the bottom of the bolt which will be sticking out a couple of mm and also the lip of the riv nut taking care not to grind the holes or make them any bigger (don't think drilling the rivnut out is an option as they just spin round - unless I can superglue them in place temporarily)
4. Knock the rest of the rivnut into the cross member
5. Either put up with horrendous rattling and/or fish the bits out with a magnet if I can find a hole big enough and/or fill the thing with expanding foam
(there must be a better way than this)
6. Borrow a rivnut tool and replace with stainless bolts, washers and rivnuts (try http://www.polished-stainless.com - Michael is a very helpful bloke and has all of these and lots more in stock). He also has Rawl nuts which are a rubber version of a rivnut with a brass insert which don't require a special tool to fit. The process of tightening the nut squishes the rubber body. Need to check that they are man enough for the job though - but will be easier to get out if things go breasticles up I bet.

Any better ideas? :idea

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1664
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by 1664 »

I used a small thin disc cutter to slice the heads off. Did it a bit at a time, alternating screws to stop them getting hot enough to melt the plastic.
Vorsprung Durch Technik my ar$e!

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lloydy
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by lloydy »

i've always found if the screw turns, it will come out. You just need to be able to pull on it when unscrewing. Have you tried pulling on the spoiler when unscrewing? Or levering with a flat head screwdriver whilst doing the same?
Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you

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1664
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by 1664 »

lloydy wrote:i've always found if the screw turns, it will come out. You just need to be able to pull on it when unscrewing. Have you tried pulling on the spoiler when unscrewing? Or levering with a flat head screwdriver whilst doing the same?
That worked for a couple but not the rest unfortunately
Vorsprung Durch Technik my ar$e!

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lloydy
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by lloydy »

put the other screws back, and pretend you never started?
Time is a drug. Too much of it kills you

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skippymoss
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Re: Front Spoiler Removal

Post by skippymoss »

Good call lloydy - The quickest way to solve a problem: Give Up :lol:
Sadly I was already past the point of no return, but am now done
Found that drilling suited me better than disc cutting as it creates less heat and there's less risk of damaging the plastic spoiler. And access to some of the bolt heads with a cutter was a bit tight especially in the corners.
Getting rid of the old rivnut was a piece of p**s - just weakened the flange and knocked them through with a hammer.
Turns out there are plenty of holes through which to fish the stray bits out with a magnetic pick-up tool
Also found that the brand new M6 rivnuts I have spin in the holes when installed so need to get some splined ones I think - http://www.memfast.co.uk/shop/Vprod2.asp?cat=2252003316" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Still thinking about those rawlnuts as they are wider and probably easier to install
http://www.rawlplug.co.uk/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=34" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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