[C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

[John M.]

I'm trying to find the black rubber caps that are supposed to be on each end of the rod that holds the security shade. Does anyone have any ideas on where to find them? I've checked all my usual suspects...

Failing a source, can anyone tell me what these caps look like? Perhaps some cazry (like me ) has these kinds of pictures...

[Joe C.]

Re: [C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

John:

Be more specific about the location of these rubber caps. I just looked at mine and there are none. My car was built in May 1985. I am the original owner of this all original car. There is no reference to these caps in the TIM&JG, if I remember right.

Joe

[John M.]

[C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

Joe,

Thanks for your response - the TIM&JG actually does mention these (I can check which page when I get home this evening). They are supposed to be caps that sit on the ends of the rod that holds the shade when you pull it out (I _know_ I could describe that better ). Their purpose, I believe, is to keep the rattles down.

I took a deduct for them being missing at my last judging...

[Ken A.]

Re: [C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

Joe, we took a deduct also on our 88, but I don't know where to find them. We didn't even know they were missing!
Ken

[Joe C.]

Re: [C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

John,

I see it now, on page 48, par 1, line 3. Again, mine does not have them, nor did it ever have them.
Understandably, there are many omissions and errors in the TIM&JG..........it is, after all, the first edition. Notwithstanding all of the hard work and research that went into its creation, there is a dearth of information contained within, as relates to 1985 models. Trust me, the manual is rich in 1984 and 1986 information, and lean in 1985 information. As original owner cars are judged, the database will be updated, I am sure.
The rubber caps that you refer to, were probably added in late 1985, or early 1986. I have been in contact with those responsible for the manual, and many updates will be added in the next edition, using my car, among others I am sure, as models.
I am sorry that you were penalized, but, the TIM&JG will probably be "perfected" in time, as long as exceptional, original owner cars survive for examination.

Joe

[John M.]

[C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

Joe,

Thanks for your detailed response. I guess this will go into my dossier of "stuff I talk to the judges about", along with the color of the targa top and the placement of the emissions labels. Just out of curiosity, when was your 1985 built? Mine _just_ turned 21, on November 18th - it seems to me that early 1985s are almost as unusual as 1984s...

[Joe C.]

Re: [C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

John;

Mine was built in May 1985. Yeah, we discussed the color of the targa top. Yours is dark blue, not smoke grey, right?
At least your early car doesn't have the backwards lettering on its Gatorbacks, like the 1984's.

Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: [C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

John------

I don't know anything about any "rubber caps" on the end of the sun shade rod. However, the rod did have hard plastic (likely polyethylene or polypropylene) "inserts" on either end. These "inserts" fit into the forward "clips" on either side which are what retains the sun shield in the extended (i.e. "covered") condition. These inserts are about 1-1/2" to 2" long and, without them, I don't think that the rod would be long enough, by itself, to engage the forward clips I described. However, it's possible that the rod is longer than I think.

If the ends of your rod are simply the metal rod, itself, then I think these "inserts" are missing. If you have these plastic "inserts", then I don't think that there was "anything else" originally there.

Anyway, the "inserts" I described above were not a seperately SERVICED item. They were supplied only as part of the sunshade assembly. Where one would find them seperately, I do not know.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

One thing more: it might be possible to fabricate the "inserts" that I described from a piece of rigid PVC tubing, the ID of which would fit tightly to the OD of the rod.

[John M.]

[C4] Security Shade Rubber Caps

Thanks for the input, Joe - it's not an official NCRS C4 thread if I don't see your name!



I'll have to go out and take a closer look at the security shade rod.