Factory spoiler snapped off, how to repair

[BrianH]

So this weekend while driving down the expressway a kind BMW 740 owner honked at me to tell me something's wrong with the back of my boxster. I pull over to discover the spoiler has broken one arm and is now swung 90 degrees down. In addition to a deeply scratched trunk and bumper.

I have the OE spoiler, not aftermarket. It seems the metal post is about 4mm in thickness and has completely snapped off. Does anyone have an exploded view of the spoiler section? parts needed to repair? instructions to remove the spoiler? Has this happened to anyone before?

p.s. in order to limp it home I had to keep it under 75mph which was difficult for the right foot to accept :)

[jmatta]

Where did it break? I know I've never heard of this before; perhaps there's an expert out there who can comment?

Has your car ever been in a incident that would have damaged the mechanism? I have an aftermarket spoiler on my car and I must say, those posts are pretty sturdy.

Looking at the parts diagram, I don't see where the posts are a separate item.

Edited March 25, 2009 by jmatta

[BrianH]

It is at the top of the Metal shaft that retracts into the body. The shaft is about 1" thick and i assumed it would be the same at the top when attaching to the spoiler. But it seems to reduce down to a skinny 4-6mm thick metal post. That is where it snapped. I looked closely at it and it doesnt seem like it just unscrewed, the metal is jagged and broken. I'll take more detailed pictures when i get home.

[BrianH]

ok got a picture for you guys.

[RFM]

The broken part is a simple Allen bold which hold the spoiler bottom to the shaft. The bold is treated with Locktight and is sometimes hard to remove, looks like someone ruined the bold head.

[BrianH]

anyone have instructions to fix this as well as the part number? I'm going to borrow a friend's Bentley manual, but i'm not sure that will even describe what i need.

[spyder803]

anyone have instructions to fix this as well as the part number? I'm going to borrow a friend's Bentley manual, but i'm not sure that will even describe what i need.

Try here:

https://techinfo.porsche.com/techinfo/pdf/e...USA_KATALOG.pdf

Its a pan head screw M6 X 16 micros self locking part number 999 218 016 02

[ericinboca]

Brian, I snapped the head off this bolt one time trying to remove it. I ended up drilling it out, retapping, and installing a new bolt. It took a lot of bits to drill it out and a bit of time and patience. I replaced the bolt with one I got at the hardware store matching my new drilled out size and threads.

[palmtree907]

Any time you need to drill a bolt out, use a cobalt bit NOT a high speed steel bit. Use moderate pressure, and only about 400-500 rpm. A lubricant like Boelube or Marvel Mystery oil will help too. Drill straight and be sure the moderate pressure isn't being applied sideways ,as you will bend the bit and drill egg shaped holes. one bit should last for many bolts. :clapping:

Edited March 26, 2009 by palmtree907

[spyder803]

Most hardware stores sell extraction bits for your drill as well and I have found these to be much easier to use. You can pick them up individually or in sets if cost is an issue. I'd go with one of them to try and minimize damaging the threads.