[Z06] Cracking bodywork question

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Jun 8, 2008 | 11:28 PM

mcirino

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Cracking bodywork question

My 02 Z06 has about 43000 miles on it now, and I've noticed a few places where bodywork and trim has cracked. Both the plastic moldings above the windows have cracked, and today I found that the passenger side rocker panel is cracked below the brake duct. Does anyone know what might have caused this? The car does get some hard driving, could chassis flex cause cracking in the bodywork? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

Jun 9, 2008 | 12:59 AM

BlackZ06

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From: San Rafael CA

I doubt chassis "flex" has anything to do with this .... the Corvette chassis is one of the stiffest in the world.

Cracks or other damage to the rocker panels is usually road debris. I drove over a metal cover for a water valve (about 6 inches in diameter metal cover that should be locked into place) in the street a couple of years ago and it "popped up" and punched an ugly gash in my rocker panel.

No ideas on the moldings over the windows....

Jun 9, 2008 | 01:57 AM

mcirino

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The strange thing is that the crack has no other visible damage around it. I haven't run across anything other than minor gravel and there are no gouges or scratches near it that would indicate I hit something. My other thought was that maybe the car had been lifted improperly when it was getting serviced. But I just noticed the crack today, and it hasn't been anywhere for service in months and there isn't any sign of damage related to that, either. I just find it odd that I now have three pieces of bodywork that are cracked.

Mike

Jun 9, 2008 | 02:11 PM

Millenium Z06

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I would bet something hit both places you are describing. Maybe debris in the road for the rocker panel and possibly hail for the window molding. Sunlight may have also caused the window molding to crack.

Jun 9, 2008 | 02:49 PM

SJSZ06

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: Lawrenceville GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcirino

I don't know about the rocker panel, but the window moldings are known for cracking. Mine cracked on the drivers side (02 Z06). It's stress related. I saw one post with something about the way they are installed, but don't remember exactly. New moldings are more expensive than I wish to deal with, so since it isn't causing any leaks I will just live with it, or maybe try to fill it with something to partially hide the crack.

Jun 9, 2008 | 02:56 PM

acrace

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From: Livingston County, Michigan

The molding above the driver side window on my Z is cracked as well. About 1" from the rear edge.

Jun 9, 2008 | 04:24 PM

Millenium Z06

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Mine is an 03 with no cracking at all and my car is garage kept so the suns UV rays do get to it. My suspicion is that the bulk of the cars experiencing these window trim cracks are cars that spend most or all their time outside in the sun.

How many of you with cracks have cars that are outside most of the time?

Jun 9, 2008 | 05:05 PM

acrace

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From: Livingston County, Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millenium Z06

My car sits inside nearly every evening (excepting maybe a dozen nights a year when its under a car cover outside) and as its a weekend pleasure vehicle, doesn't spend much time in daylight.

As far as the roof molding, I suspect that its due to body flex. I haven't looked at mine closely in terms of how its fastened, but I would wonder if there is a slot for fore-aft movement and the fastener torque. Just speculation by me.