REPLACING PORSCHE BADGE ON 944
I was clearing out one of my old files on the PC today and I came across this that I wrote a while ago and it might be worth adding to the site as a Technical Tip - see what you think.
So little b***//~#* levered the crest off the front of my car. I got a replacement with advice that it simply pushes on - well it doesn't and this is what you actually have to do if you want it to look decent, or indeed to stay on! :-
"This is how to take the badge panel out on a 944
Undo the 4 screws above the radiator (easy)
Headlamps up and pull out the rubber wiper strips that they close against and take off the front plastic trim around the head lamp (not essential but makes the next bit a LOT easier - and you will need all the help you can get!!) (easy)
Undo the bolt at either end of the badge panel that goes in to the end of the wing. This bolt is surrounded very closely on 3 sides by the end of the badge panel where it forms the bottom of the headlamp enclosure. Access appears to be impossible UNLESS you have a BOX SPANNER (no where near enough room for a socket or ring spanner) of the appropriate size (fortunately I did - from memory it is either an 8 or 10mm) and lots of patience and dexterity (about 1/6 turn per time is about the limit at the start of the unscrewing procedure!!)
Release the screws (one each side) that are access through the headlamp openings and head towards the intercooler (easy)
Pull the badge panel out forwards (easy) I was then able to fit the keepers on to the back of the badge pins with a spanner and torque down the badge - thus trapping and holding firm the gasket. Re-fitting is the reverse So if you ever need to get the badge panel out that is how you do it!"
One point that I noted when I had the badge panel off was that the intercooler sits VERY close to the underside of the badge panel - indeed mine had two dents in the top from the retaining pins on the back of the badge, and they are not very long. So if you have a Turbo be VERY wary about leaning on the badge panel!! All the best Dave B
superglue the rubber gasket in place before fitting. Steve B
There is an easier way - my information was that the 944 badge has no fixings, it's just a very tight push fit. To be honest, if some little b*****d wants to take my badge, I would prefer him to take it without trashing the whole panel.
The problem with just using the push fit arrangement is that the gasket never seems to fit neatly. When I fitted my new badge at Christmas (lovely present!) I used a strong contact adhesive to glue the gasket firmly onto the back of the badge, with the lip fitting perfectly around the edge, then simply pushed it into place. It hasn't moved since, and looks the business.
Q. When you say that the badge isn't a push fit, what was the problem? Was it loose? I'm sure you can replace the little plastic sleeves that the badge pushes into. Rgds, Simon H
When I removed my badge I used a couple of plastic cable ties, fed underneath the badge that enabled by to gently ease it off. Using a sharp instument can damage the enamel - Rob H
12.3.01 - I re-fitted my badge during the summer - I think the only way to do it properly (without knocking other suggested methods) is to take the badge panel off. The gasket should be a very tight fit, and when the badge sits flat on the panel, the gasket behaves itself. Another good thing about removing the badge panel, is that if you have a small dent in it as I did, it can pushed-out quite easily from the inside, and I cleaned/waxoyled the entire area underneath the panel before re-fitting. From talking to Dave, I would say that if you have a turbo, then remove the badge panel as opposed to pushing the badge/panel down whilst still on the car since this might not do your turbo any good. I would agree that all of this is a lot of trouble to go to just to fit a badge, but in my view, once you've done it, you can forget about it knowing that it's right. As for people who steal badges, I favour the Saudi approach to these matters... Mark R