I apologize if this has been discussed. I used the search bar but there are so many threads on this topic, and I didn't find an answer to my question.
Why can't new endcaps be fabricated in fiberglass to go over the existing ones?
Almost anything is possible with enough money.
The rear end caps would require making four molds, plus more for the rest of the other corners.
The caps are very durable and usually can be repaired, if all the pieces are kept, using a plastic epoxy.
There may be a few various end caps still available if you want to stock up.
Fiberglass does not flex well and will crack with repaeated bending. ABS plastic is very flexable, the bare caps are like noddles. There is plenty of flex in the rear corners, the primary reason why the caps loosen.
LD used fiberglass in several other places, I assume they decided ABS was the preferred material for the caps due to its flexibility.
Larry
I would love to get my hands on replacement, but I didn't know any are still available. I saw the post with the contact so I will email him.
Looks like repair is the most obtainable way to go. I will still have an autobody shop take a look. I'm interested to see what they say/ quote.
I would love to get my hands on a replacement, but I didn't know any are still available. I saw the post with the contact so I will email him.
Looks like repair is the most obtainable way to go. I will still have an autobody shop take a look. I'm interested to see what they say/ quote.
When Todd moved back East, he had left the remaining caps with a Caravan Club member. That was three years ago, and they may be gone by now.
I have replaced and repaired a lot of caps, and found that most of the time it was better to repair than replace. Removing a well-stuck-on cap can be very difficult. Care must be taken not to damage the surrounding paint or sheet aluminum.
When repairing a section of a cap that was destroyed, many times grafting in a piece of good cap was easier and much faster than removing the entire cap. With shop time now approaching $200 and hour, repair can be a lot cheaper.,
As long as a damaged cap has all the pieces and has not been badly crushed, the damage can be glued and smoothed out with Bondo and repainted. The bare caps are a gray color.
With the good possibility of placements not being available, repair may be your only choice.
What kind of cap damage do you have? Photos are useful when seeking advice.
Larry