Is it common for spoilers to crack here?
01-31-2014, 10:35 AM
#48
Burning Brakes
Pulling this out from the archives.
My spoiler is getting worse and worse. It started with a hariline crack in the middle of the spoiler like Jetta has in his picture.
Over the course of a year it has grown to be wide enough for two finger nails to be stuck in it next to each other.
Now I even have a second crack on the bottom part of the spoiler (where the lip is). This is growing as well.
The climate here is extreme... so that may accelerate some of the effects I'm seeing here.
The place where the spoiler is cracked I can see it being raised a little from the grille.
From looking at the car and mechanism, I can't see anything wrong. No rub marks, can't see it pushing hard into the car's engine lid, got a spoiler wall. I lubricate the bushings. It does shudder a bit while retracting... but I don't think that has anything to do with it.
What I'm thinking now - as I really want this fixed - is to try PC Auto Bond and then having it painted. This product is a little flexible and bridges gaps. I've used to to fix the under tray of my other car and it held up quite well. If it expands and contracts a little only the paint will crack I believe. As long as I don't see the big gap I see now in the rear view mirror, I'll be happy.
Has anybody found a fix for this that lasts?
My spoiler is getting worse and worse. It started with a hariline crack in the middle of the spoiler like Jetta has in his picture.
Over the course of a year it has grown to be wide enough for two finger nails to be stuck in it next to each other.
Now I even have a second crack on the bottom part of the spoiler (where the lip is). This is growing as well.
The climate here is extreme... so that may accelerate some of the effects I'm seeing here.
The place where the spoiler is cracked I can see it being raised a little from the grille.
From looking at the car and mechanism, I can't see anything wrong. No rub marks, can't see it pushing hard into the car's engine lid, got a spoiler wall. I lubricate the bushings. It does shudder a bit while retracting... but I don't think that has anything to do with it.
What I'm thinking now - as I really want this fixed - is to try PC Auto Bond and then having it painted. This product is a little flexible and bridges gaps. I've used to to fix the under tray of my other car and it held up quite well. If it expands and contracts a little only the paint will crack I believe. As long as I don't see the big gap I see now in the rear view mirror, I'll be happy.
Has anybody found a fix for this that lasts?
01-31-2014, 03:57 PM
#49
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Detroit (Rock City); 1990 C4
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IMO we'll need something to bridge the gap; glued butt joints do not hold up. Ideally a fiber patch on the underside, but it's tough to get in there. My car is black, so I've considered cutting some carbon fiber band-aids and simply gluing them on the outer surface. The repair will be visible, but my hope is that the cf will look sweet enough that instead of saying "nice kludge, jerky..." it'll say "here's a guy who's confident enough to apply a space age fix even though it's not perfectly factory..."
02-01-2014, 02:39 AM
#51
Instructor
Hi Lemass,
Can you elaborate or post some pictures? TIA
Can you elaborate or post some pictures? TIA
02-01-2014, 02:30 PM
#52
Burning Brakes
Lemass,
Very interested in the procedure.
I have no other options available here. The only used spoilers around all have cracks already and a new one will probably cost a small fortune... for what is essentially a small crack.
Very interested in the procedure.
I have no other options available here. The only used spoilers around all have cracks already and a new one will probably cost a small fortune... for what is essentially a small crack.
02-02-2014, 09:33 PM
#53
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
I wrote to the PCA Tech Q and A guys about the causes/cures for 964 spoiler cracks and never got a response. I also asked if this was happening with any of the other operable rear spoilers on other cars such as 993s etc. Apparently they didn't feel it was worthy of their attentions. Or they don't know and don't want to admit it.
02-02-2014, 11:16 PM
#54
Instructor
Its a commen topic about cracked spoiler :-(
I came across something on a german site that was discussing how to repair the plastic parts.
And they were talking about a new way to deal with it.
There is alot of plastic on our cars and bikes that need repairs
Look at this youtube clip
A way of saving the retailed 720€ for a new plastic spoiler
I came across something on a german site that was discussing how to repair the plastic parts.
And they were talking about a new way to deal with it.
There is alot of plastic on our cars and bikes that need repairs
Look at this youtube clip
A way of saving the retailed 720€ for a new plastic spoiler
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lacouelle (03-21-2022)
02-12-2014, 07:58 PM
#57
Instructor
Eve Spoilers,
One of the german guys send off his spoiler that was cracked and got it returned after one week.
It was repaired in a way like the video clip above.
150€ was the cost for the repair which is OK compared to buy a new one....and you will not get a crack on the same spot :-)
Forgot to write freshly painted as well included in the price of 150€
http://www.lackiercenter-werne.de/
But this should be a normal repair at most body/plastic shops
Ohh, yes I also have some cracks on mine that needs some attention...it has a history of being to much in the CA sun
One of the german guys send off his spoiler that was cracked and got it returned after one week.
It was repaired in a way like the video clip above.
150€ was the cost for the repair which is OK compared to buy a new one....and you will not get a crack on the same spot :-)
Forgot to write freshly painted as well included in the price of 150€
http://www.lackiercenter-werne.de/
But this should be a normal repair at most body/plastic shops
Ohh, yes I also have some cracks on mine that needs some attention...it has a history of being to much in the CA sun
Last edited by P356GT; 02-13-2014 at 03:23 AM.
02-13-2014, 04:54 PM
#60
Three Wheelin'
No crack on mine and the new spoiler air deflector to replace my cracked one has been laying in my garage for a few years. I'd guess the crack is related to the spoiler open/close pressure and not the air deflector.
Glad to not have experience with at least one typically 964 issue!
Glad to not have experience with at least one typically 964 issue!