924Board.org

[Matthew]

Just looked at Clark's garage tech stuff on removal of later 944 badge panel. I have a UK spec 1982 924 and the nose panel appears to be stuck or welded at certain points along the seam at the back end of the panel, where later cars apparently have a row of bolts instead. Clark says I need to drill these out if I am to get the panel off. I am not that confident on this, can anyone give me some advice on how to drill through these and then how to fasten them up again (I have to replace the badge)? What concerns me is that if I bolt the panel back on (I have no welding equipment), the raised bolt heads will snag on on the bonnet/hood when I try and close it. On later cars the fastener look like the bolts are recessed to avoid this.

Anyone done this before and can offer me some handy hints please?
Thanks guys

[ESC944]

Matthew,

You can get some nice drill bits, specifically for drilling out the welds, you take your time and do it right... then its a simple matter of using the right kind of bolts when you put it back together. Or use a later model nose panel and use its holes...

But are you replacing the panel or just the badge?

I went threw this when installing a 924 turbo nose on my old 944. Of course in the case of my old car, I used a fiberglass replacement panel and that covered up the holes. I used the same kind of fastners as the fenders use and screwed her down. If I still had the car I could take some pics, sorry, but not that hard.

The badge is a different animal. I would think you could do it without removing the nose, but would proably have to be a little creative in doing so. Maybe someone will comment on that part.

[Matthew]

Actually it's just the badge I would like to replace, but I had assumed that in order to get behind this tricky panel (to apply the nuts to the back of the badge pins) you would need to remove the panel completely. The PO has in fact removed the badge and filled in the holes, and had the panel repainted, so bored was he of having the badge stolen - common problem in England.

If it's possible to do the badge replacement without removing the panel then yes I would go for it - Clark does not think it's possible though, from what the website says.

[CMXXXI]

Replacing the badge is relatively easy. If you remove the plastic grill from the lower valence and lay down on the ground and look straight up, you will see either a hole or a plug covering a hole directly below where the badge is. Using a socket wrench with an extension you can reach up through this hole to where the badge is bolted down. I've replaced several badges over the years (theft), so I speak from experience, it can be done without messing around with the sheet metal panel.
_________________
'79 Eurospec 931

[Matthew]

Ok mate thanks for the tip, I will have a crack at it!
Cheers
Matthew