Hey all.
I bought my 89 GTA last spring and I'm trying to figure out if I still have the factory rubber spoiler or has one of the previous owners replaced it with a plastic one . How would I be able to tell the difference ?. I can knock on it and sounds hollow.
Thanks

 

If it's hollow,It's been replaced with the Fiber Glass.I'm pretty sure 87- 90 had the Painted Hard Rubber.

 

If it flexes in the locations noted, it's rubber.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...1&d=1422026330

 

Thanks. I'll have to check that out . Just squeeze the ends and see if it flexes. I know I can push on the center and it flexes. When I tap the top of the spoiler and bottom part bedside 3rd brake light it does have a plastic kinda of noise to it. Also when I pop the hatch from inside the car sometimes it pops right up. Most times I just use the key to catch it from springing up.

 

I'm not sure of the weight difference between the two. My 88 GTA has the original rubber spoiler and my 89 TTA has the Fiberglass. Both hatches seem to be the same weight on them. They don't "pop up" when you hit the hatch button.

 

About 40+ lbs. Those Rubber ones are freaking heavy.I now have to open with the key,it flies up really hard.
I have to change the struts to a light weight hatch

 

WOW...Both my hatch's stay up, they don't do anything like yours though. Maybe time to check into new struts.

 

If they stay up and don't fly up,I'd leave them alone,they seem to be operating correctly.

 

Are you able to tell buy looking at a picture its factory or not ?

 

its fine, they release from the latch/motor mechanism and sit there till I l lift it a little.

 

you can try and post one. Pay attention to where it connects to the glass on the sides and also the mount pads on the hatch itself.

 

I wasn't able to take any pictures. I added some pictures from this Summer to my album. Not sure if you can see it close enough to tell. I was just more curious then anything. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/album.php?albumid=9161

 

I really can't tell by your pics,but it should sound Hollow all across the back.Do you have these brackets in my pic?installed as per directions from Hawks,but some people install them just like the OEM.

 

Where abouts in Ottawa are you? I'm in Pet, the GF lives in Ottawa and I'm there most weekends, my T/A was in the garage all last summer but I'll be out this year!

I replaced my old rubber spoiler with a fiberglass one from paradise alley just north of Toronto (I picked it up since I was in the area, no shipping and the price was the same as I saw on the Hawks site even in Canadian $)

There is a huge weight difference between the two, and the fiberglass one does not flex at all. Check where the rear deck lid meets the glass, for how well the spoiler fits there, that could be a give away and with how well the third brake shroud fits... Mine didn't fit so well so I no longer have a third brake light lol.

I do believe 91-92 was the year for what I call the "whale tail" spoiler, that big flat fiberglass thing hanging out the back.

 

Upon further inspection I believe I may have the original spoiler. I noticed a tiny little crack on the left arm . I kinda thought it was the original cause It only has 53,000 kms (32,000 miles ) on the car. Car was repainted in 2006. I would have never thought their is rubber under the paint. If It wasn't for reading this forum I would have never known. (Knock on the spoiler and has a plastic sound. ) Thanks for all who have replied.
Wtr388 I live in the west end of Ottawa. Nice to meet someone who lives close and has passion for third gens. Feel free to pm me sometime for a meet up once your car is on the road. I lived in pet twice growing up. Probably know the same people lol.

 

if it has a hollow sound its the glass piece, if it has a solid thud when you knock on it then you have the factory aero wing.

if this car is your "weekend toy" be sure to blow out the area between the wing and deck lid of water as this is the one area that usually starts to break down on the factory wing. also keep it waxed, this will help preserve it better. eventually the factory wing will start to change as rubber does this and a glass version will be reqd.

 

Thanks for the tip quickchicken. I actually don't drive the car in the rain. Keep it in my garage in the summer. Only wash with a rinseless wash so the car does not see water. The previous owner who I know , bought it in 2009 and never drove it in the rain ( hardly ever drove it sat in his garage ) In the winter I sent it into heated storage. I protected the finish with a product from carpro "cquartz finest" I highly recommend the treatment to others.

 

good deal Brett, your wing should last a good while, esp with the waterless cleaner and no rain driving.