spamman

I had a leak in the factory spoiler of my 97SE and it rusted the 2 bolts that hold the spoiler down to the trunk lid. One had been broken and the other broke upon trying to remove the nut. These are embedded into the spoiler and I need some help.

Has anyone had this problem and found a solution instead of buying an entire new spoiler? Can these lugs be removed (how?) and where to buy new lugs? OR did anyone have luck drilling into the existing lug and using maybe self tapping metal screws from inside the trunk?

Thanks: e3

Chickan

iTrader: (12)

hmm, bump for an interesting question. I'd personally say drill into them, but I've never encountered this.

DcMaN

iTrader: (13)

if it were me i would get a air grinder tool and slice the nut off. The gasket they put over the holes mustve been missing or broken causing water to get in and rust the bolts.

spamman

Sorry I must have been unclear. The right side of the spoiler has 2 lugs and nuts that hold the spoiler to the deck. One lug was rusted and was already snapped off. (Previous owner must have tried). The other one was very rusted (and was a bit loose letting water in). Upon trying to remove the nut, the lug snapped. So nothing holding the right side on.

So I may be filing the snapped lug flush with the spoiler base and then drilling a starter hole to run a self tapping screw in.

Nissan says you cannot replace the lugs, hence need to payy approx. 580 + paint for a new one. NO WAY JOSE!

Any other ideas? Thanks all. I am having my 2nd kid in a week and money does not exist right now. I will most likely be making new gaskets using a sheet of material and an exacto knife.

86maxima96

iTrader: (10)

i had this same problem. Nissan became notorious for this awful gasket leak. it is a relatively common problem. mine began to rust and eventually rusted through the trunk lid. i had it fixed when i had some other body work done. but i think that the lugs can be removed, if i remember correctly. otherwise, try looking for a spoiler at a junkyard, get your trunk lid refinished if it does have rust, and then paint both if necessary. cheaper alternative, but not the best. maybe you don't need the two bolts. just use a lil super glue...? haha

PARALLEX

lugnuts or whiteclip??? i may not be understanding this clearly... do u mean the outside of the wing or the two middle supports??

spamman

The inside 2 bolts down supports. They have a total of 2 threaded rods pressed into the wing and it get nutted from inside the trunk lid. Somehow they are pressed into the wing and I would assume can be removed and replaced. The outside white plastic clips are stupid expensive and so is the gaskets. I bought 2 of the plastic press clips this AM but will need the solution on how to bolt it to the lid.

D-Twelve

Junk Yard 100-200 tops i have to imagine....

If you can find one in your color...

spamman

Thanks for the reply but I live in the (if it is not pertinent to driveability nor safety) the fix can cost no more than $25.

ryant35

iTrader: (3)

Drill it and spray with penetrating oil, and take it slow. If you still can't get it out, drill it completely out and re-tap it with a larger thread and get a bigger bolt.

CUR167

You can also drill two screws at each corner of the spoiler. I had a similar problem with another car and that worked.

Zach95SE

iTrader: (3)

I had the same problem and had an easy solution. After trying for about 20 minutes to get the spoiler off I ripped it off of the trunk and bought one from a junkyard for $80.

86maxima96

iTrader: (10)

yeah, that pebble beige, wow, that's a rare find! good luck and god speed!