68 Door Panels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
68 Door Panels
I made a quick video of my door panel problem It's a lot easier to see in the video. I think I'll send it to Wilcox and Corvette America too. I put a lot of time and effort into these doors to have crappy fitting panels. Let me know what you think.
68 Vetteman http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t=MOV02840.mp4
68 Vetteman http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h...t=MOV02840.mp4
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
I had the same exact issue when replacing the windshield pillars. The velcro tabs did not line up and after a lot of phenagling, once lined up, they just popped free. Not a quality replacement option. Expensive and inaccurate - just like most repro's - not built exactly to spec. There's plenty of threads bashing repro vendors, so I won't pile on, but for the cost of these items, you'd expect the parts to friggin fit right.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The video was very effective at showing the difference in "holding power" with the OEM clips vs. the aftermarket units. I think there are considerable differences between the two, with many fewer "posts" in each 'new' clip vs. that of the factory piece. Also, the OEM material seems to be a harder nylon plastic, rather than the softer (probably recycled) newer material. It also appeared to me that the dimensions of the posts/pins and their shape was different, which also may affect holding power.
Basically, they just don't get the job done. And, I don't think this is any new revelation to C.A. I'm sure they've heard these complaints before. But, customer discontent doesn't seem to make any difference.
Basically, they just don't get the job done. And, I don't think this is any new revelation to C.A. I'm sure they've heard these complaints before. But, customer discontent doesn't seem to make any difference.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Bought my door panels 8-9 years ago from Corvette Central(Corvette America sticker on the back) and ran into the same issue.....one would think that would be enough time for the manufacturer to fix this issue....
Other than that and having a slight warp in the middle which I have since corrected, they look and fit fine
Other than that and having a slight warp in the middle which I have since corrected, they look and fit fine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 284
Likes: 6
From: Palm PA
Bought my door panels 8-9 years ago from Corvette Central(Corvette America sticker on the back) and ran into the same issue.....one would think that would be enough time for the manufacturer to fix this issue....
Other than that and having a slight warp in the middle which I have since corrected, they look and fit fine
Other than that and having a slight warp in the middle which I have since corrected, they look and fit fine
68 Vetteman
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
I cleared off the workbench, and laid two 2x4's down, and put a towel over each one to prevent damaging the vinyl on the door panel. Then I set the panel face down on the bench, with one 2x4 under the top of the panel, the other running along the bottom. Then I placed a cast iron cylinder head on the center of the panel(you might be surprised at how strong these panels are), right on the high spot, and left it there for a few days(wasn't in any hurry
). Took the warp right out Some have suggested leaving them out in the sun to soften them up, others have used heat guns, but this worked for me
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