If you own an S4 or above you really need to pull the rear wing annually, clean the mounting bolt threads and the inside of the cap nuts.

I'm swapping wings and doing just this. I'm also cleaning the mounting hardware and painting it all.

I think I'm going to borrow Stan's suggestion for the waterpump bolts and apply thread sealant to prevent further rust.

There is no easy way to replace the bolts and once they break well that's a problem.

 

I think this is a good plan and I plan to do it soon.

 

@Kevin in Atlanta : By sealant, do you mean DC111? What's the torque on these things? I haven't looked at that part of my car yet, not at this level, at least, but I like the PSA, seems like solid advice. Seems like a nice, short preventive maintenance job.

Thanks

 

No, permatex thread sealant with PTFE.

7 ft lbs, maybe.

 

Maybe that's what happened to my '89 before I got it.

 

the cap nuts fill with water then rust to the studs,
PTFE sealant will keep the threads from filling with any liquids

 

And the cap nuts are upside down - that does not help.

My advice is to limit the sealant to the threads and and avoid putting in the cap nut.

 

What is 'PSA'?

 

Public Service Announcement

 

Agreed. Cleaning the threads annually is important. I switched from acorn nuts to nyloc nuts a while ago to prevent captured water. I coat the threads with primer, but the ptfe is a good recommendation. I also stopped using the desk pad sticker in favor of a bicycle inner tube cut to fit. It seems to offer more paint protection and better seal around the holes.

 

Maybe add an o-ring to the bottom of the stud?