Rear Reflector Replacement

[bmcfarland]

Can someone provide tips/recommendations on how to properly remove the rear center reflector on my 1985 911 coupe? A previous owner left me with a crack in my “O”. Thank you!

[AlKidd]

Approx 8 clips in the panel behind the reflector that grip fingers on the reflector itself. There is a heat shield above the bumper that has to be removed to gain access. About 5 screws in it.

[bmcfarland]

Thanks for the quick response, AlKidd. I was really hoping you were going to tell me the reflector spring clips could be pried away from the body panel from the outside. Is there anything else I need other than PB and patience to remove the heat shield?

[bmcfarland]

I may be looking at the wrong thing, but the attached photo seems to show the bolts holding the heat shield in place are partially covered by the bumper. If so, that makes heat shield removal interesting and may involve disposition of the bumper as well???

That possibly being the case, my cracked “O” is starting to look like the beauty mark on Cindy Crawford.

[boyt911sc]

For better access, try to remove the muffler, the heat shield, and finally the fasteners holding the plastic Porsche trim.

Tony

[isby]

Here’s my 2 cents, as I recently cracked mine (still kicking myself) while prepping the car for paint (even though I was being careful, using PB, etc.). The metal clips (at least on my ‘84) were holding on to the reflector for dear life, essentially digging in to the fingers on the back of the reflector. Before I realized you could remove the heat shield, I tried to slowly pry the reflector off the clips. I ended up with a small crack at the bottom of the reflector. The lesson I learned is that if you don’t gain access to the back to assist with removal, the risk of cracking it go way up. When I install my new reflector ($800 later), I plan to open up the clips and secure the reflector from behind via lock nuts. Maybe this will spare a future owner some aggravation.

[bmcfarland]

More accurately than the last illustration I posted, this one shows how the heat shield is designed and fastened in MY85.

How to fully back out the heat shield bolts (part 35 in the illustration), given the bumper interference shown in the previously posted photo of my car, was throwing me. It appears the heat shield has open ended slots. Partially unscrewing the part 35 bolts and using the clearance on the front end of the shield should facilitate wiggling the heat shield lose without removing the bumper.

Is that correct? Am I missing anything? Much obliged!

[TracyC]

I removed my rear bumper and muffler along with the heat shield for access. If not it is pretty tight trying to get the clips to release

[bmcfarland]

Seems like major surgery to fix a small cosmetic issue that I can probably learn to live with. This exercise reinforces the obvious value of the people on this forum. Rubes like me (who don’t know what they don’t know) can get very useful guidance before they are completely wrapped around the axle. Thanks all!

[reclino]

Gain access to the back and bend the clips so the reflector can be removed without cracking it. The clips can be replaced with new from Porsche, or you can straighten out with needle nose pliers.

[AlKidd]

I recalled them being small screws but small bolts could be there as well. As Tony mentioned, a lot easier with the muffler out of the way. The screws for my heat shield were accessible with the bumper on. Any chance your has been bumped in the butt?

Originally Posted by AlKidd

Approx 8 clips in the panel behind the reflector that grip fingers on the reflector itself. There is a heat shield above the bumper that has to be removed to gain access. About 5 screws in it.

[bmcfarland]

Definitely no butt bumps during my watch. Anything is possible before then, but no obvious signs of a rear end collision - side bellows and bumper assembly are all symmetrical, straight, level and properly positioned. But I understand what you are saying. A minor bump could have compressed the impact absorber, thus the reason the heat shield fastener are partially covered by the bumper.

Even with my limited skillset, I think I am up to muffler and heat shield removal. The prospect of single-handedly R&Ring the bumper - not so much.

[ToySnakePMC]

Having just replaced my rear bumper with freshly painted Euro bumper, I can attest that it’s a relatively easy job for you to tackle on your own. Remove side billows and you’re on your way!

[AG81]

On my 88 coupe. All I had to do is open the engine lid. Lift the rubber flap covering the top of the center reflector. Removing the top fasteners and the center reflector lifted off. There was no removal of the bumper or the muffler.

[bmcfarland]

Thank you, AG81. I could be wrong, but I believe Porsche changed the attachment design sometimes after MY85, possibly when they redesigned the look of the reflector in subsequent G-bodies like yours???