bonnet badge

[pae]

I have a nice shiny new bonnet badge, but I can't find how to remove the panel so that I can get the old one off !

I've got the easy-to-find screws along the top edge where the bonnet shuts, but what's holding the panel down at the leading edge? Loosening the nuts (exposed when the headlights are raised - the ones under the rubber strip) doesn't seem to help. Rather than continue to undo bits and have the whole front end fall apart I'd thought I'd stop and ask. Is it easy to explain?

Yes, I ought to buy a manual, but haven't done so yet.

cheers ......... Phil

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Think you'll find the panel doesn't come off...

If the badge is the same as on my old 944, then it just push-fits in to a couple of captive grommet-things.

I seem to recall the later 944's (S2) DID have removable badge panels, to get at the relocated air filter.

 

[924nutter]

The nuts you can see are probably the ones that hold the inner headlight pivot so you are wise to stop.
Go to your local model shop and purchase some polystyrene modelling tube that will just slide on the pins.
Heat a small section of the end of the pipe and swage it out
1)Early type with speed nuts
Using the new badge for measurements drill through the old badge with a 2mm drill as a pilot and gradually open up until the badge goes loose, around about 5.5mm but only drill down the thickness of the badge and no further.
Push the speed nuts through and retrieve them with a magnitic pick up tool through one of the small panel gaps
2) Late type with nylon sleeves
Using the new badge for measurements drill through the old badge with a 2mm drill and screw in a couple of sturdy self tappers, and use these to heave out the old badge with a pair of pliers.

Open the holes in the bonnet to the dia of the modelling tube.
Protect the drilled edges with some brushing primer and touch up paint.
Insert the tube, secure with cyanoacrylate.
Make four small cuts in the gasket from the centre hole outwards, two vertical two horizontal.
Stretch the gasket over the badge.
Secure with masking tape.
Ease the badge on.
Just before bottoming out put a drop of cyano on the
last little bit of the pins and push it home before the glue sets.
The pressure required to push the pins into the standard grommet can dent the panel as there seems to be no way to get behind to support it.
I have fitted the new badge to my 924 turbo in this way and it has held firm at over 135.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Another candidate for the Technical FAQ and a magazine article there John[]

 

[924nutter]

Feel free. I have done the head gasket article, and sent it to Stephen M. with sketches.

 

[924nutter]

Thinking about it, it might be possible to get to the underside of the panel if you take off the front bumper and work through the oval holes in the panel under the return edge. What ever works.

 

[pae]

Thanks all - I'll have another good look at it, and let you know how I get on.

Phil

Update, here's my definintive guide (well it worked for me, no guarantees for anyone else !).

[1] Had a good look around, can't see any other way to get to back of badge.
[2] Took out 4 screws mentioned previously and can just about get my hand/pliers/screwdriver to touch the location pins on the existing badge. Good - that may be important later.
[3] Measured pin centres on new badge, marked position on old badge.
[4] Drilled through from front of old badge. I actually used a 4.5mm drill, quite a bit larger than the pin diameter, but it caters for any misalignment. Drill very slowly. The panel flexes quite a lot so use a very sharp drill to minimise the pressure you put on it.
[5] You should feel as the drill starts to come through - I could. I was slightly off line, but close enough.
[6] If you were bang on the right place you'll find the pins have broken off, if not a bit of wiggling around through the drilled hole with a small screwdriver (watch the paintwork) should be enough to break the small amount of material holding the pin in place. The badge material is quite soft.

I was lucky. On my car (1988) the bushes that capture the locating pins are captive in the bodywork, and because I had drilled through carefully I hadn't destroyed them !!!

So, with one hand squeezed through to support the panel from behind it was simple to push fit the new badge into the existing bushes.

Another of those tidy-up jobs ticked off. Now to the sunroof...........

cheers ........... Phil

 

[924nutter]

Another satisfied customer.