bluegoose

Hey everybody,
I have a 89 Firebird and I am going to install my aftermarket aerowing spoiler. I purchased the spoiler about one ago. I have the mounting hardware but no instructions. For the life of me I can’t figure out how to mount the tips to the car. All the bolt holes line up, it’s just the "wings" I am having problems with.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance
Brad

FIRECHICKEN

iTrader: (3)

I do believe that if the hatch is not an "aero" hatch it won't have the required tabs mounted to it. I think they are welded to the metal glass trim from the factory. So, I guess either weld on new tabs or get a factory wrap around wing. Maybe I'm wrong??

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

Yup. The Formula and TA rear glass trim has tabs welded to it. They are a slotted hole and the peg on the spoiler botton slides in it.

MNformula350

iTrader: (2)

I was under the impression, that the aftermarket one did not use those tabs?

I haven't seen one in person though, so I guess I could not say.

But if they do use those factory mounts, then yeah you will need a hatch from a 86-90 Trans Am or Formula.

bluegoose

Ok, yes my car does have the tabs and welded slots on the window trim. When I purchased this spoiler, I was told that I won’t use any of my stock mounting hardware. Now, the hardware that I have has a 90 deg bracket, approx 3/4 inch length on each leg, and the kit had only two of these brackets. What I think is that the bracket needs to be screwed in the spoiler at the wing tip, and then placed in the welded metal brackets. I was playing around with it today and that is the only way this hardware kit will work. I will let you guys know how it turns out tomorrow.

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

Pics? I bought the one from Hawks and it was a GT Auto made part. I bought it some years back tho

bluegoose

Here are some pics...

bluegoose

More pics.

The pics have my notes.

Any comments??

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

i have the same spoiler and ill tell you this

the instructions dont tell you a damn thing, heres what you have to do pretty much, mount the 90 degree pieces (or if you have some extra time and money build new ones cuz the old ones arent worth a crap, take those rubber foam things (this is what i did cuz it didnt come with all the mounting hardware) and unpeel the tape from it and put double sided tape on the other side, stick it aroudn the holes on the rear of the spoiler now slide the spoiler with the 90 degrees onto the window, and then notice where the foam things get stuck to and drill the holes there, they will not be exactly but you can ream the hole out witha drill a bit until you getthe holes where they need to be at...then everythign is kidna smooth sailing from there and i'm sure you can get the rest, the thing is that the information i just gave you is like included with the 3 steps they list to mount the spoiler, but the 90 degree pieces are just going to bend instantly so you might want to consider fabbing new pieces liek that, i did and i havent had a problem since, my spoiler sucked so if you know someone who would like to help you, i woudl strongly encourage their help cuz i coulda used it on mine lol



actually, shoudla looked at the spoiler that you have first adn told you taht it actually isnt the same one i have lol, i have the 4th gen style and it sucked to put on but yeah, mines not hte same as yours....sorry if isaid anything confusing lol

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

I think those j-bends screw into the bottom of the spoiler and hook the window trim. Kinda gay. What I did, was get some stainless steel screws with a head that is the same size as the OEM slot opening and big anough to slide in and catch it. Install the spoiler with the hardware to mount it to the back portion. Then go back to the sides and make a tamperary marking where the OEM mounts line up with the new spoiler. Make a mark ar the rearmost area of that OEM catch where the opening ends. Remove the spoiler and screw the ss screws in at those points. Be sure to have also noted if it was centered or off-center. Screw those screws (which are now catch-studs) in leaving enough out to catch the OEM slides. This may take a couple trys to get perfect. Then having help when installing it, start with the spoiler pushed forward, line up and insert your screws (studs) into the OEM slots. Then pull it rearward and finish by attaching the back hardware. I recommend replacing those black-oxide allens with stainless ones. This is how I did mine. I remember now that I see your parts that it had that crappy install kit. Above mentioned is wht I devised and its lasted about 6-7 years now.
Lemme know if its unclear or you need any more info

bluegoose

Mikz,
I like your idea, time to go shopping and ge more beer.

I will keep everyone posted and will take pics of the install.

BTW, here are the instructions, I finally found a company that would send them to me.. All I can say.. POS!!!


AEROWING INSTRUCTIONS

IF REPLACING AN ORIGINAL AEROWING, THIS IS A DIRECT BOLT ON SPOILER.

1) REMOVE FACTORY WING FROM CAR.

2) OPEN HATCH AND REMOVE THE PLASTIC PLUGS COVERING THE BOLTS FOR THE SPOILER AND BRAKE
LIGHT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HATCH.

3) AFTER REMOVING THE BOLTS, SLIDE THE WING FORWARD TO REMOVE IT.

4) CHECK THE DECK LID TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO HIGH SPOTS WHERE YOUR OLD WING BOLTED ON.
(MOST HAVE THIS DO TO THE WEIGHT OF THE FACTORY WING AND FROM USING THE WING TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HATCH)

5) INSTALL YOUR THIRD BRAKE LIGHT TO NEW SPOILER.

6) INSTALL NEW WING USING THE NEW HARDWARE.

7) SET WING ON CAR (hanging off the end of the lid approx. 6"-8".) WRAP THE TWO CLIPS AROUND GLASS TRIM. (SPREADING ENDS SLIGHTLY)

8) INSTALL NEW BOLTS FROM UNDERSIDE.

WARNING
DO NOT USE THE NEW SPOILER TO OPEN OR CLOSE YOUR HATCH.
YOU MAY HAVE TO OBLONG THE MOUNTING HOLES ON SOME CARS.
ALSO ON SOME CARS YOU MAY HAVE TO REMOVE THE FACTORY CLIPS
FROM THE GLASS TRIM.
IF GLASS HAS BEEN REPLACED YOU MAY NOT GET A PERFECT FIT.

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

Wish I had pics of my install. It was quite a long time ago tho. Lemme know if you need any more help.

bluegoose

Today was not very productive; it appears that either the hatch, aerowing, or both are warped. I can get either right or left side to seat in the window brackets, once that side is seated, the other side doesn’t line up with the window brackets and I must pull on the wing (pulling away from the car) but that is alot of pulling to line it up, I don’t think the screws will take that pressure in the fiberglass.

If I get both sides in the window brackets, will the aerowing stretch/mold into
the new position therefore releasing the pressure/force ???

Mikz86TA

iTrader: (4)

sounds like either is warped. need to check it for flatness

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

mine was slightly warped aswell, i foudn it as more of a blessing in disguise than anythign when i finally got some stronger 90's on the tip and got it mounted for the last time cuz it really pulled it a lot tighter

formula00ra

iTrader: (1)

I did it the same way you did. Clipped in the drivers side first then pulled a little on the passenger side and dropped them into the retaining slots. Went very well until I tried to bolt up the CHMSL and the left threaded retainer broke. Now I have to find a CHMSL and remove the spoiler and reinstall. Two steps forward....