WTB - Passenger Side Sunroof Wind Deflector Chrome Hinge for '76

[ossiblue]

goldgunner,

Thanks for the explanation, it makes sense. Sounds like there are no real preventative measures, just maybe vigilance when closing the sunroof, if possible. I'm going to check out my hindges today, just to see how thing are wearing. I really appreciate your (and the others) input. And Dan in Pasadena, thanks for inquiring about a surprisingly common ailment.

[Dan in Pasadena]

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

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

[goldgunner]

Dan - The dremel work I describe is on the underside of the two 'hinge deflector assemblies': the dc automotive parts list link shows these as items # 22 and 23. So, all of this disassembly and reassembly work is completely underneath those units and hidden from view.

There's 2 screws (if I remember correctly) that hold those (# 22 & 23) in place: go ahead and remove one of them and look at the back side.
My 80 - and probably all the SC's - have the crimp I described (on the under side); I'm hearing that the 70's may have a different assembly method as to the spring and hinges, but that the hinges and spring are the same.

Yup, still have these hinge halves available.

I was thinking the same - that this is a pretty straight forward technical discussion that should be on the tech board...

[Dan in Pasadena]

goldrunner,
I will print this thread out and take a look at my car when I get home tonight. My car is a '76 so I don't know how it may differ from an SC. Once I get an idea what we're talkign about (I'm sure it'll make a LOT more sense once I'm looking at it and reading your description) I'll decide if this is something I want to take on right away or wait. Very interested in your part though. Thanks again for all the work you've done on this nagging little problem.

I really do think Wayne or a moderator should ask you to write a Tech article complete with photos and diagrams. It would save a lot of guys a lot of confusion.

[djdsc]

Ok, so this should officially be moved to the tech section now that we have the required pictures.

Left and Right deflector pieces with right broken hinge.



Broken right hinge



Top and Bottom of pieces



Bottom of Right broken piece showing spring / hinge pin



Crimped section.

[Dan in Pasadena]

BUMP for MODERATOR - Any chance of this thread being moved over to the 911 Tech board? I know that would be unusual - Parts For Sale to Tech board, but it has morphed from my original "WTB" thread into a fairly detailed technical discussion of what appears to be a common problem. Plus there are good pictures of the problem and the fix using Pelican member machined parts of very high quality and relatively low price. Any help appreciated.

goldrunner and djdsc have the knowledge and/or the pictures for a Tech Article.

[Dan in Pasadena]

djdsc, Thanks for those pix. Now it is beginning to make sense.

goldrunner - from these pictures, I see what gets Dremel-ed out - the pinched crimp of aluminum holding the spring in the slot, right? Looks like those three large counter sunk holes are the monut points for hte whole deflector assembly - or at least this portion of it. If thats all, then gettingit off the car is a no-brainer. Still not sure about the little "bumps" as you describe them. I'll have to do my own little bit of forensic work.

But it SEEMS like:

Grind the crimp out

Use a small tool to remove the spring (which also functions as an "axle" or pin for the broken hinge part).

Replace hinge part with new and (somehow) reinstall wind deflector to match non-broken side.

Is that about it? Are you saying a strategically placed small blob of JB Weld holds the thing together after it is done? Either that or a new crimp using some unGodly powerful crimper or maybe a chisel...though that sounds crude and heavy handed. Process sounds like a winner.

[911K]

I just received four of these hinges today and installed them after work. They are very high quality reproductions and work perfectly. Thanks again, Jim, for making these available.

On my '68 sunroof, the crimp in the metal is not there which made installation very easy. I just pried the spring out of place in the middle with a small screwdriver, twisted the spring to remove the old hinges at the ends and installed the new ones.

Mike

[dcautomotive]

some bimmer kid called me one day and said they were the same as on his 70ish 2002.

fwiw

[Terb Grubmeel]

911K,

Please list the shop, you call "JIM" who has made quality reproductions of the hinges? Please share.

thanks for keeping this thread alive, we're all learning!

T.G

[goldgunner]

Terb - that would be me.
jimd@transpec.com
aka goldgunner

my initial thread as referenced above:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/show...light=DEFLECTOR