Jerky

I'm sure you've heard that on before, right? Anyway, long story short, I smacked a curb pretty hard coming out of a drift and the thing is in pieces! No damage to anything else thank goodness! So now, I'm looking for a new one but there's two different GM part numbers for it, and the difference is close to $150! They look exactly the same, is there really a difference? I'm inclined to buy the cheaper one, but I want to make sure I'm buying the right thing. The P/N's are: 15916658 and 20939829

Ketchum

There on E/bay. Aftermarket. Lot less money then factory.

Gearhead Jim

See recent thread by Calemasters, he had the same question and got it resolved.

AORoads

I've read that it's also possible to weld them up and make them actually stronger than original. May be a less expensive route to go if you can find a shop to do it.

Good luck and tell us how it turns out for you.

vetteright

Maybe one part number is for the aluminum frame Z06 and the other for the steel frame base model and GS?

ufso

Wait until Monday and give GMPartsHouse a call, they'll help out for sure!

calemasters

15916658 This is the old P/N, with a dealer list price of $404.98
20939829 This is the new P/N, with a dealer list price of $172.19

There is very little difference between the old PN and the new PN. Basically a couple of weld locations are revised, one other very minor change and the new PN comes in not painted. I had to prime and paint, but for the cost difference, it was worth it.

BTW, you do not need to remove the front fascia as stated in Service Information.

cranky

lot less quality and fit too...................... you get what you pay for................................:toet ap:

Ketchum

I found no obvious difference in the broken one I removed and the E/bay aftermarket one I used except price. When I bought there was not one through GM for $172.19. The design stinks.

C6J

You also need the Rivnuts.

calemasters

For me, the hex holes punched in the front of the cross bar (for the air dam bolts) for the compression nuts (riv nuts) were too large. The compression nuts would rotate in the holes. Had to epoxy in the compression nuts. The compression nut on the side of the assembly for the dual horn mounting installed without an issue.

cclive

I would remove it and see if it is in good enough shape to be welded...stronger and better with no fastener issues. Anyone who can weld aluminum...which is much more common now than it was in the past.

C6J

I assume you didn't clamp them down hard enough with the special tool

Jerky

what is this special tool?

Gearhead Jim

A rivnut is similar to a pop rivit that is threaded on the inside, and the tool used to install them is similar to a pop rivit tool.

Because the rivnut expands as it is installed, it doesn't need to be a precise fit. But if the hole is really too large then the rivnut simply can't expand enough and will still fall out or spin when you try to install the screw.

CWHPARTS

i broke mine in my 05 and replaced it with the newer one. its half the price and actually tucks up a lil higher giving you about extra .5'' of ground clearance. you do need the rivnuts, you need 3 of the small size and 1 large. all c6 crash bars are alluminum.

AORoads

interesting thread, and interesting design which may be improved upon with the C7 (?).

Gearhead Jim

Geez, I hope they improve it.
Can't hardly get any worse, judging from the number of casualties we see here.

AORoads

true, true.....

Jerky

Just placed my order for a new one on Partstaxi. Now, where the heck do I get those rivnuts?!?!