Targa Roll Bar Seal Rivets

[cegerer]

So what's the trick to getting the 4 plastic 'rivets' into the Targa bar? These are the ones located in the front seal, on either side of the female fittings for the top pins. I tried pushing hard and then tried tapping with a hammer and block of wood. Result? Two damaged rivets. I've only got 4 left, so I've got to make it good. I was thinking of heating them up or applying grease. Anybody have any tips? Thanks. -- Curt

[Early_S_Man]

Curt,

If those are the ones I am thinking they are ... there is a plastic center locking pin that needs to be pressed back out about 80% to allow installation. After you get it fully seated, press the pin back in place with a flat-bladed screwdriver or Popsicle stick.

[alan911]

Early-s is right. The center "pin" must be out first. This is the "install mode" for these things. Once in place then push the center post in to lock it in place. The center post spreads out the little grabber prong thingys. You will never get them in (or out for that matter) any other way. And you will go through the other 4 very quickly.

[cegerer]

Porsche must have superceded that style rivet with a new one. The new one simply has serations on the shank and a little plug that goes in the hole on the cap. The plug does nothing that I can see! Here's the photo:

[alan911]

Oh ! Those are a little different than mine. (77 Targa) .BTW, Good pic.

Look at it this way. That little plug must to something. It's not their for decoration.

Look at the pointy end and see if you can't see a post that gets pushed backwards back out the hole where the plug goes in the back. The post , once it's pushed in is suppose to expand those ribs so they grab sidways and don't fall out.

The fact that you can't get them in tells me they are already expanded with the post pushed in.
Look again.

[cegerer]

The rivets are completely hollow. There's nothing to expand that I can see. I think they are totally friction fit. I guess I'll 'experiment' with them. They are, afterall, the least expensive Porsche parts available! $0.45 for the rivets and $0.31 for the caps. -- Curt

[jkeyzer]

Curt -

I feel your pain. I had exactly the same problem and bent a couple before I found a method that sort of worked to put them in. I greased the outside of the rivet lightly and used a punch inserted through the hole in the head of the rivet to drive it into place. It worked most of the time.

I am still wondering if there is a better way, but for now the problem is solved.

[cegerer]

"It worked most of the time."

Great. I tried that and punched clear thru the rivet! I guess the proper method is to buy a couple of dozen rivets and hope that 4 will eventually work.

My next attempt will involve cutting slits in the serations to reduce the resistance a bit. The other thing I noticed is that my seal appears to be quite tight and I really don't even see the need for these rivets! Other than to cover up the holes in the seal. Thanks. -- Curt

[cegerer]

Cutting the slits failed. Weakened the rivet too much. So, I filed off all of the serations except the two nearest the head of the rivet. It worked. (I knew that 6 years of engineering school would eventually pay off!) -- Curt