Sharkbody

My GTS 'PORSCHE" reflector on the rear clip is loose and feels as though it may fall out at some point. Anyone have this issue before? How is it fastened exactly? Thanks. G

Jim bailey - 928 International

velcro....

TheoJ

There's a thread on this on the forum. I've used the idea to attach two long bolts to the rear reflector and drill two holes in the rear panel to attach the reflector. The Velcro does not hold the reflector as it tends to bend during the years. The Velcro strip in the middle looses its grip and reflector pops up in the middle. Look at GTS in your area and you will notice that many have this problem.

Instead of drilling in the reflector panel I welded two 3cm disks to M6 bolts at a 30degree angle, and glued them disks to the panel using JBweld quick. two M6 nuts and you're done. Worked great.
regards,
Theo (928gts.no-ip.info)

Randy V

I recommend against using the bolt method.

I'll post detailed instructions later today how to fix it using double-sided body panel tape. The fix takes 10 minutes, is reversible, requires no drilling and lasts for years.

Sharkbody

Thankyou all for your input. I eagerly await any and all viable solutions. G

ROG100

Hi George,
I highly recommend the bolt solution and it has worked succesfully on a number of cars - my experience with the tape failed miserably after water ingress. Will never warp again when mechanically bolted in place.
Email me if I can help out.
Roger

ew928

Haven't got my panel back on.
But I'll be ditching the plain jane velcro and use heavy duty velcro to attach the panel.

Something like these:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

Rated at 20 lbs/inch sq for tensile disengagement and
10 lbs/inch sq for seperatioin strength.

Just another idea. (Only caveat is that it may damage paint upon removal)
But so does drilling holes.

Ernest (NYC)

Kevin in Atlanta

I used the door panel clips to fix mine. Drilled holes into the back of the reflector, epoxied the door clips to the reflector, drilled holes into the bumper cover. Popped 'em in. Done.

Randy V

The problem of the 'bowed out' center reflector strip is due to two things in my opinion. The dissimilar plastics used in the inner and outer halves of the strip cause the strip to warp over time. The velcro attachments weaken, allowing the strip to bow out even further. By the time it becomes obvious that there's a problem, the strip has bowed out so much that the velcro attachments do not have enough 'grip' to restrain it in the flat position.

Here's the easy way to fix it.

First, remove the reflective strip. To do so, remove the tool kit to gain access to the rear light assemblies.

Each light has a large aluminum hexbolt that secures the light in place. Loosen by hand and remove the hexbolt - it should be just finger-tight. You will see that the bolt has a secondary locknut that is used to set the inset depth of the light assembly.

Once the hexbolt is removed, the light assembly can be swung out and removed.

The reflective strip has tabs on either end that sit behind the light assemblies, thus the reason to remove the lights first.

Pull the reflective strip off. It is attached at each and and in the middle by heavy-duty hook-and-loop fasteners (velcro). Trying to replace this with new velcro will not work, as the outward bending force of the now slightly warped reflective strip is stronger than the grip of any velcro material available. Trust me on this one - I first tried several different types, including super-duper marine velcro that is pretty much the same as the original stuff used by Porsche. I even tried using it along the entire length of the strip. No dice.

You will want to use heavy-duty body panel tape such as the stuff by 3M - found at Pep Boys, etc.

Get the wide 7/8" stuff like this:

http://www.cleanacar.com/mmm68.html

A 36" roll of the stuff costs around $12.00 (not the $40+ indicated in that link)

Before you get started, you might want to give the reflective strip an good polishing with some plastic polish, available at any auto parts store. This will remove most scratches and hazing and will make the strip smooth and shiny like new.

Step 1: Remove the original velcro pieces from the back side of the reflector strip AS WELL AS the velcro pieces on the rear body panel. It may take a bit of scraping to get it all off.

Step 2: With some medium sandpaper, rough up the entire backside of the reflective strip AS WELL AS the painted body panel it attaches to. Yes, I know it doesn't seem right sanding that nice shiny paint under there, but once the strip is back in place you'll never see it.

Step 3: Wipe the back side of the strip and the body panel with isopropyl alcohol to make sure it's real clean and let dry thoroughly.

Step 4: Dry fit the strip so you have a good idea of how it will be put in place once the panel tape is on. The reflective strip fits within the bumper indent with very little up/down or lateral movement, so it's pretty easy to get proper placement.

Step 5: Cut two (2) strips of the body panel tape that are almost the length of the reflective strip, leaving them 1 inch short from each end of the strip.

Step 6: Apply the two lengths of panel tape along the length of the reflective strip, spacing them evenly top to bottom, about 1/2" in from the edge. Push the tape down securely along the length, running your hand along the plastic release liner.

Step 7: Once you are satisfied that the tape is securely stuck to the reflector strip, carefully remove the release liner. Pull it back at a sharp angle to prevent pulling the tape off the reflective strip.

Step 8: Place the reflective strip against the body panel, trying to get the middle section to stick first (slightly bowing the strip inward) then working out towards the ends. Using a soft cotton cloth, apply firm pressure along the length of the strip to ensure good adhesion along the length of the strip.

Step 9: Reinstall the light assemblies, adjusting the set nut on the hexbolt as necessary to achieve proper flush mounting of the lens relative to the body.



I performed this fix on my GTS over a year ago. Since then it has been through desert heat, numerous rainstorms and car wash cycles and is still snugly in place.

Jerome Craig

Mine was warped and starting to delaminate. Ordered a new from DR for $58. Got it in a couple of days and installed using heavy duty foam tape. No trouble so far. Has anyone tried to use EL or LED lighting to make the whole panel light up on braking. I kept the old panel and am thinking about using a dremel tool to separate the two halves and then see if I can find some lighting that will work. But it's not a high priority right now.

F4GIB

Sounds like a great idea. I'd prefer it to be on when the headlights are.

TheoJ

I tried both different Velcro and re-glueing the velcro to the body and strip. None had reasonable results. The strip is somewhat bend however, which creates a permanent force until it staightens over time (if ever...). The fix with the two bolts is great however. Easy to gradually adjust. This also prevents the strip from breaking when repeatedly pushing against the strip to make it stick, which will at some point cause it to crack.... Also removing is easy now. I think it outruns the other options. I'm quite happy with the fix.

@Roger: thanks for sharing the original idea.

Theo (928gts.no-ip.info)

ROG100

The velcro idea is definitly worth trying as its pretty easy to do.
However as soon as you get to the point of having to push the reflector back into position to get it to stick down again go the bolt method as you will eventually break the reflector as Theo said - ask me how I know.

Alan

Bring out the toilet bolts! I love those things they have so many uses...

My reflector strip is quite flat - I guess I'm just lucky.

Alan

ROG100

Alan,
We had managed not to mention "toilet bolts" until you showed up.
Roger