Look what I got...ok I need help now.

[BeauBlues]

I picked this up for $400!!! All original and came with the decklid. Man what a deal!! Ok, the guy said that the rubber needed to be attached better and he was sure right about that. The outside of the rubber is fine and the inside of the back portion is fine also but the inside of the left and right sides of the rubber are missing their studs and is all dry rotted. Any ideas of how I can fix this little mess.

[audi2.7t]

Better off looking for a good used one in the parts forum or e-bay although new ones on e-bay are usually around $300.

[CBRacerX]

Wurth Black Silicone Oil-Resist (or even better 3M Windshield Glue), some creative clamping and screws into the rubber from inside the wing base and you might get a few years out of it. But after that the disassembly might destroy the wing base.

Or, get a new repro rubber surround (~$300)

[KevinP73]

Beau, call me at the shop. I can help

[tsuter]

$400 and it needs a new lip cause the studs are pulled and the holes are drilled for the wiper arm and the third-center brake light. And hopefully that number on the deck is just a decal.....yep.... got a deal!!

[BeauBlues]

Here are the pics you requested Kevin.

[KevinP73]

No Doubt, thats a factory part. You scored !!
(Quick Edit) The tail base is factory but the deck lid is a normal lid modified to accept the tail.

[Jack Olsen]

What about inserting new studs, but staggering them between the old locations?

[BeauBlues]

Hey Kevin, I went to the hardware store to pick up the threaded rod. You said 3/8 but when I saw the 3/8 it looked massively thick. So i got the 5/16 instead. Compared to the studs that are still on the rubber the new stuff is a little thicker than the originals. But the 3/8, I dont think that would even fit in the holes on the tail body. Unless the original studs where ment to be thicker on the sides. Let me know if I did the right thing.

[BeauBlues]

Oh yeah to add a little to my story on how i got this tail for such a deal look at the link. The tail started out at $350. average for just a tail. When I looked at the picture, you can see the decklid attached. If you havent been around these tails a lot you cant really tell that there is a decklid even there. Its the angle of the picture that kept others from bidding.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7942072606&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT

[Wil Ferch]

"Formerly Steve Wilkenson" may be better able to describe the large diameter drywall anchor screws ( ?) he used to re-atttach the tail to the base....you know...the kind of screw that loks like a hole-digging auger with the big screw flanges.....from Home Depot....

Steve?

- -Wil

[BeauBlues]

Thanks Wil for the idea but Kevin already supplied me with a great idea.

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by BeauBlues
Hey Kevin, I went to the hardware store to pick up the threaded rod. You said 3/8 but when I saw the 3/8 it looked massively thick. So i got the 5/16 instead. Compared to the studs that are still on the rubber the new stuff is a little thicker than the originals. But the 3/8, I dont think that would even fit in the holes on the tail body. Unless the original studs where ment to be thicker on the sides. Let me know if I did the right thing.

You did fine I meant to say 3/16. I was off on the size of the rod Sorry.

[Jack Olsen]

Are these the hardware store thingies that are like a wood screw on one end and a straight bolt on the other?

[BeauBlues]

Well, Jack no, I was talking about threaded rod about three feet in length so I can cut up and make studs out of.