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My 2012 Fit was recent struck by a cinder block, knocking the rear spoiler off. It appears that the nuts were ripped through the pre-drilled holes. I cannot figure out how to get the nuts back into the holes. Has anyone encountered something like this? Are there any tips on securing the spoiler back onto the car again?
Wow! It pulled your pop-rivet out. I would try to flatten the body back out with a hammer and dolly, then reinstall the bolt with a larger washer and nut.
Last edited by GrE8_Fit; Sep 15, 2022 at 03:05 PM.
Okay. I’ll have to piece everything out later this evening. I was trying to figure out if I would have to install a portion of the nut or bolt, then flatten the raised lip in order to hold the bolt in place before re-installing the piece. The grey piece on the bolt itself should be embedded into the car itself, right? That’s what the bolt screws into in order to hold it on to the car. Such a pain. I appreciate your input!
Last edited by cmstatler; Sep 15, 2022 at 03:02 PM.
Yeah, that nut deforms and pinches the sheetmetal, creating a threaded rivet. You can replace it, of you want to spend the money on the tools (about $50). Or, take the hatch interior panels off and use a nut and washer. Either way, I would flatten the surface out a bit.
This is super helpful. The visual is perfect. Thanks, again. I’ll have to do some digging on this. It also looks like the metal piece that the spoiler covers cover was just held on by a circular piece of adhesive. When I popped the nut covers off on the spoiler itself, the whole metal piece came off, too. I’m sure I can get some sort of adhesive tape or something to hold those two bolt covers on that are the same color as the spoiler.
The only part I’m stuck on is how to get a washer that is large enough to hold the bolt on? It doesn’t appear that I can access the hole from the underside of the lift gate. I’m not sure how to secure the bolt without being able to put a washer or some sort under the hole on the body of the car in order to hold the bolt to the body? Maybe adding a new rive nut is going to be the ticket.
Last edited by cmstatler; Sep 15, 2022 at 03:44 PM.
Have you tried pulling the plastic trim off the inside of the hatch? There might be some access.
I'm curious as well, I've never looked. But I just bought an OEM spoiler and I'm undecided about how I want to install it on my base model (with no mounting holes.)
