I need instruction on front spoiler removal - 1978 308 GTS (US)

I am trying to remove the front spoiler on my 1978 308 GTS (US). I used the thread started by 308tr6 dated 2004 entitled "308 front spoiler removal" as a guide. I have attached it for your convenient reference.

"1. Remove the louvers behind the headlights which are secured with 4 small sheet metal screws - this gives you access to 1 of the 8mm bolts (each side), which secures the spoiler to the upper fender.
2. Jack up the car and remove both front wheels and provide lift jacks to get you access under the car front (obviously be safe here).
3. Remove the inner front fender mud guards which are secured with 4 screws (philip head) and washers (each side).
4. Remove the 8mm bolt that is accessed from the wheel well (each side).
5. Remove the front grille and bumper (bolts and screws are obvious and easily accessed).
6. Remove the remaining 3 8mm bolts per side which fixes the fender to the spoiler - via the front access where the grille and bumper was.
7. The remaining fixments are rivets - 4 of which are directly visible immediately behind where the grille was, and 4 of which are on the underside rearmost portion of the spoiler (reason for jacking up car to access). I would suspect that on other years of cars the rivets may have been small sheet metal screws. In my case I could not get a drill in the access area directly behind the front grille, and just used a small grind wheel to delicately grind the top off without gouging a hole in the fiberglass spoiler. The other rivets can be drilled out from underneath if you have supported the car high enough to get a drill under vertically.
8. Once all these fasteners were out, I lightly tapped around the edges with my fist to break loose the light glue or sealant that was used, and pried slightly with a flat edge. Without much effort the spoiler then slid forward and down rather easily. "


I removed (7) 8mm bolts from each side where the fiberglas meets the metal; (4) rivets from behind the grill; (2) rivets and (4) sheet metal screws from spoiler bottom below the spare tire/battery tub. Although I had a different number of fasteners to remove, the spoiler is loose. However, I cannot get sufficient movement either forward or downward to remove it. The seam of my spoiler sits on the angle iron support that also serves as the mounting bracket for the blower fan. This angle iron support is approximately 8 inches in length measured along the forward to rearward line where the spoiler is in contact with it. This is preventing me from getting downward movement. Forward movement is stopped by two obstacles. The finished wheelwell lip hits the previously mentioned angle iron support at its most rearward point after having slid forward 1 1/2 inches. The bottom side edge of the spoiler below the spare tire/battery tub hits the diagonal mounting bracket for the blower fan. I could probably force the lower contact point past if I saw success on the horizon for the upper blockage. I don't see that it would help the dilemma up top. Any suggestions that will get me to the finish line would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Bob

 

I know exactly those bolts of which you speak. My were beneath much sealant. For me after scraping it away they came out readily. The difficult ones were the front most - within 3/4" of the nose; plus someone had gone to the trouble of crimping up the washer. I had to drill out both of those.

The spoiler is loose. It moves forward 1 1/2 inches. Not enough, however, to remove it. Please someone point me in the right direction. I'm literally and figuratively hanging.

Bob

 

Thank you, thecarreaper. I will apply the more accurate description you supplied me in the search engine and read what I find. I may send you some questions if success still eludes me.

Bob