930 outer sills

[macandsue]

I have just had need to replace my nearside outer sill ( trim sill I think it is called ) I ordered it from design 911 as I understood it was a genuine Porsche part. It looked ok at a glance and a cursory inspection said it was reasonably correct. The welds where the hips were added showed on the outside but I worked out that once I had sealed and undersealed it and then primed and painted it, the poorly manufactured and rubbish assembly details would disappear. So I did all that, then came the crunch, after a big struggle I managed to force it into place. Basically it is not the same shape exactly as the original. The next step is to fit the rubber trim, easy you would think. Not so, I tried every trick in the book, wash liquid, grease and even oil but it would not slide or snap into place. So reluctantly I took it back off and tried to fit the rubber to the sill off the car. This was when of course I started to realise that all the gaps and the setting of the flange, which had just been carelessly spot welded on, were all wrong. I counted and marked more than 20 places where there was going to be a problem. I phoned Design 911 and asked them where they got this sill from and they assured me it was from Porsche. I described the problem to them and they of course had no answer. I had made a big mistake of course in as much that I didn't dry assemble it, or rather try to, before I painted it. Had it been after market dross then I almost certainly would have , it being quoted as Porsche supplied I felt confident in it, ERROR! Next I spoke to my Local OPC and related the problem to them, they as by now, I had done, suspected that it was not a genuine Porsche part. They ordered me one from Porsche and I duly went along 100 miles return journey to have a look. Guess what? it was worse. The welds were appalling and the gaps and securing holes even worse than the previous one. The chap at the OPC I dealt with agreed it was not good and was going to send it back with his comments. So now £300 later notwithstanding time. I have now no suitable sill to fit and where do I go next. I can't send it back and expect to get a refund having covered it in paint and even then I would have no sill to put my car back on the road. It is by the way a Supersport not a turbo but the problem is the same. This is a cautionary tale. All that is Porsche does not glitter. Does any one have a source of reliable panels ?
Mac

 

[SEE YA]

Hello, I have a 930 have you thought of trying a breakers yard?. Maybe find a better one than yours the fit will be better then.

When I put my rubber on the sill it took two of us to do it. I used 3in1 on the strip of rubber one pushed and the other one pulled it up the sill.

I hope this helps?.

 

[robsangster]

Hi replaced both of mine several years back, I do remember them being fairly awful prior to prep and paint, however looked super once stone chipped and top coated. The channel is rough though. Im sure you've tried every way possible but I always found working from the front towards the rear was best due to the flare at the rear arch. Again LOTS of fairy liquid was required along all edges both metal and rubber.... and yes was still a struggle. I found that sliding the rubber on a foot or so and then popping the very front off again gave me something to physically pull so to speak, while with your other hand (palm) applying pressure to ease the rest along and stop the front edge that is not in the channel growing longer. Then once on keep pulling until the front edge is beyond the rear arch and rubber fully in the channel. I was then able to reverse direction pushing with my palms to get the edge that wasn't in the channel seated.


Sounds awfully complicated, its not really - but worked every time - don't underestimate the lubrication required - then clean the front face of the rubber to give you good grip when using your palms to ease the rubber along

Good luck!