Quote:
Originally posted by goldgunner
Disassembly is fairly straight forward: requires 'un-crimping' in the channel in the back side that holds the long spring in place. I found that using a dremel cutting wheel was the best: just creating a slot in the crimp large enough for the spring wire to come out.
Pay attention, and take pictures or sketch of the back side assembly before removing anything. Nope and doh...I didn't
However, the logic of how the spring functions once reassembled is clear - the most difficult part is getting the spring correctly twisted and held in place long enough for a permanent 'hold' to occur. The aluminum may be recrimped - but I had difficulty with that and found that JB Weld worked well to hold the spring in place.
The hinges - actually hinge halves - that I have available are precise reverse engineered items of very high quality. However, they are not chrome plated, but electro-polished to a very high sheen.
The only hand fit that is necessary is to the slot where the deflector ‘long’ panels fit in: the ‘bumps’ that are on the panels vary in how far they protrude, and with miniature jewelers hand files (available at radio shack) you can either make the bumps less high or widen the hinge slots a little, until you get a good interference fit.
I'm well satisfied with the results on my SC: the complete deflector assembly works consistently and smoothly. No binding what-so-ever.
I chose to have all of the sunroof aluminum pieces, including the hinge halves, anodized (actually chemical film chromate conversion) mil-spec quality with the standard yellow color. Came out a little light yellow, and evened out the old aluminum side channel coloration, resulting in a new appearance that won't oxidize, stain or discolor.
Cheers,
Jim
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Whew
Having not looked that closely at my wind deflector hinge assembly this SOUNDS like a lot of work for what it is! I really don't even open my sunroof all that much, I just hate having broken things on my car. I WILL go look at it closely now but I don't "get" what is being "un-crimped" or taken on with a Dremel tool? Is this on the wind deflector assemby in total, once taken off the car? Or are you saying I have to take a Dremel to my new paint? Guess I'd better go review before deciding on a plan.
Jim, in the link you provided, you said you made a lot of 50 piece parts and they were available for $37-38 apiece. Still have any available? Please advise. The amount is no issue but the PITA factor is worth considering. Thanks for the great info on this. A rare WTB thread that probably should be moved to the Tech board. Maybe a moderator could consider an edit-and-move of this thread. Best, Dan