How to install a wing?
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05-09-2021, 08:21 AM
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How to install a wing?
On the inside of the trunk, there are 2 layers of metal, one that’s like flat and the one further inside that is all bumpy with holes in it. The legs of the wing won’t fit on the flat space of both of the layers. Is there a way to remove the inner-most layer to then install it? It’s also an aluminum wing so I’m not sure if it would be too heavy or not
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05-09-2021, 12:18 PM
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Usually requires some sort of metal fabrication to install a wing and make it look clean. I usually take an additional 1/4" aluminum plate and bolt it to the inside of the existing trunk metal just to get a solid surface to mount against since the trunk sheet metal is flimsy at best. Then use a hole saw to remove the high points in the sheet metal (this is all after you have pilot holes drilled through the trunk for exact placement), trim the rest down with a dremel.
You can skeletonize that new plate usually so it's not just a flat rectangular piece of metal bolted to the inside of the trunk, if you want to get super fancy you can make it in a way that still allows you to install the existing trunk liner/trim around the plate, just pay attention to where existing trunk liner mounts are and try to use as many as possible. You're going to be missing some ones in the middle obviously but you can cut the liner so the low parts actually tuck UNDER the new plate which helps support it and keep it from sagging.
Attach the new mounting plate with threaded inserts in 6-8 locations installed in the trunk sheet metal, then the skeletonized wing bracket bolted to them, then cut some round stock tube to make shims that fit into the gaps where you used the hole saw to cut out high parts in the metal.
This will allow you to get a very SOLIDLY mounted wing without deforming the top layer of painted sheet metal on the trunk.
If this sounds like too much fab work you can always use a slightly longer bolt, then buy some small diameter thick walled metal tubing and make yourself a wedge washer by cutting the same angle as the sheet metal on one end, then cut it flat on the other end. slide it over the bolt and now your nut has a flat surface to lock up against.
DEFINITELY use stainless steel bolts with nylock nuts if there weren't any supplied in your hardware kit, I've seen cheap kits that had regular nickel plated hardware with regular nuts.
A friend of mine has very decent "cheap" method for reinforcing the sheet metal in the trunk, he drills the hole, then uses a can of spray foam insulation and fills the cavity with it. Be aware this stuff expands quite a bit so place a trash towel down in the trunk because the excess is going to come out both ends, if you put a couple layers of tape over the top hole it makes most of it come out the bottom into the trunk. It's best to close the trunk while it cures so it goes straight down onto the towel in the trunk.
The metal will still flex a little but nothing compared to using no reinforcement.
You can skeletonize that new plate usually so it's not just a flat rectangular piece of metal bolted to the inside of the trunk, if you want to get super fancy you can make it in a way that still allows you to install the existing trunk liner/trim around the plate, just pay attention to where existing trunk liner mounts are and try to use as many as possible. You're going to be missing some ones in the middle obviously but you can cut the liner so the low parts actually tuck UNDER the new plate which helps support it and keep it from sagging.
Attach the new mounting plate with threaded inserts in 6-8 locations installed in the trunk sheet metal, then the skeletonized wing bracket bolted to them, then cut some round stock tube to make shims that fit into the gaps where you used the hole saw to cut out high parts in the metal.
This will allow you to get a very SOLIDLY mounted wing without deforming the top layer of painted sheet metal on the trunk.
If this sounds like too much fab work you can always use a slightly longer bolt, then buy some small diameter thick walled metal tubing and make yourself a wedge washer by cutting the same angle as the sheet metal on one end, then cut it flat on the other end. slide it over the bolt and now your nut has a flat surface to lock up against.
DEFINITELY use stainless steel bolts with nylock nuts if there weren't any supplied in your hardware kit, I've seen cheap kits that had regular nickel plated hardware with regular nuts.
A friend of mine has very decent "cheap" method for reinforcing the sheet metal in the trunk, he drills the hole, then uses a can of spray foam insulation and fills the cavity with it. Be aware this stuff expands quite a bit so place a trash towel down in the trunk because the excess is going to come out both ends, if you put a couple layers of tape over the top hole it makes most of it come out the bottom into the trunk. It's best to close the trunk while it cures so it goes straight down onto the towel in the trunk.
The metal will still flex a little but nothing compared to using no reinforcement.
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