Kenwood Installed ***PICS ***
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I agree that the crack looks bad and I'd say someone was over enthusiastic trying to get a good fit.
On the other issues it's normal. I also have the gap on the upper right side. I find that it's OK until I snug down the nuts in the armrest and then it pulls away. Guys have tried tape around the locating pin to try to get a better fit. It holds it tighter when you push it home.
Also the antenna is working correctly. There's an auto extend lead that applies power to the antenna when the unit is on. Members have fitted switches inline on the auto extend wire to lower it on demand.
On the other issues it's normal. I also have the gap on the upper right side. I find that it's OK until I snug down the nuts in the armrest and then it pulls away. Guys have tried tape around the locating pin to try to get a better fit. It holds it tighter when you push it home.
Also the antenna is working correctly. There's an auto extend lead that applies power to the antenna when the unit is on. Members have fitted switches inline on the auto extend wire to lower it on demand.
Last edited by DeeGee; May 20, 2009 at 01:24 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 1
From: Md
STOP PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY! You tried to speak with him and he responded like a D....K. Typical of an installer of any piece that doesn't know or doesn't care about his quality of work. He should have never forced anything and he should step up with some good customer service. You owe him nothing. He needs to replace the cf piece. Don't take it back to him, that would be a mistake. I took my car back to a shop that had scratched a brand new chrome piece. I even offered to remove it BEFORE the work began. They acted as though I owed them just for being there. Then the next time I went they overcharged me to make up the difference. We went at it at that point. It is not worth the aggravation. You have already seen an example of his work and attitude toward customers.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,769
Likes: 3,697
From: The Sunshine State
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You are the man Dennis, I appreciate you going above and beyond. I'm going to talk to the installer tomorrow and see where he is after I share this info with him. Maybe Pat could refinish this one and you could resell it. It really is a nice piece! I'd be happy to aid with the cost if I can't get the installer to be a stand up guy. The arm is healing well and I appreciate your friendship 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
You should still confront him (the installer) about the damaged bezel. The thought of you or Dennis having to come out of pocket for a replacement due to his obvious negligence is insane. With that said, Dennis will definitely be getting my business when it comes time for interior mods.
.I agree that the crack looks bad and I'd say someone was over enthusiastic trying to get a good fit.
On the other issues it's normal. I also have the gap on the upper right side. I find that it's OK until I snug down the nuts in the armrest and then it pulls away. Guys have tried tape around the locating pin to try to get a better fit. It holds it tighter when you push it home.
Also the antenna is working correctly. There's an auto extend lead that applies power to the antenna when the unit is on. Members have fitted switches inline on the auto extend wire to lower it on demand.
On the other issues it's normal. I also have the gap on the upper right side. I find that it's OK until I snug down the nuts in the armrest and then it pulls away. Guys have tried tape around the locating pin to try to get a better fit. It holds it tighter when you push it home.
Also the antenna is working correctly. There's an auto extend lead that applies power to the antenna when the unit is on. Members have fitted switches inline on the auto extend wire to lower it on demand.
STOP PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY! You tried to speak with him and he responded like a D....K. Typical of an installer of any piece that doesn't know or doesn't care about his quality of work. He should have never forced anything and he should step up with some good customer service. You owe him nothing. He needs to replace the cf piece. Don't take it back to him, that would be a mistake. I took my car back to a shop that had scratched a brand new chrome piece. I even offered to remove it BEFORE the work began. They acted as though I owed them just for being there. Then the next time I went they overcharged me to make up the difference. We went at it at that point. It is not worth the aggravation. You have already seen an example of his work and attitude toward customers.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport Tn
My ORDER
After reading this i know for sure I found the right guy to do my bezel thats what a standup guy does good job dennis thats how a real guy stands behind his friends and work im totally impressed and my bezels coming your way
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
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From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Drifting
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From: Middletown de
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Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 477
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles California
I will also chime in on this install... The installer is at fault here he obviously did not have much experience with doing this conversion that is a very sloppy install I would have not accepted that when I went to pick up my vette.
Here is a few pics of some installs I have done as you can see form the pics the gap at the top can be adjusted properly to fit snug with the dash it does take alot of time to get everything to fit right but it can be done.
When you build the bezel remove the two tabs on the back that go into the dash and the bezel will fit much better.
Here is a few pics of some installs I have done as you can see form the pics the gap at the top can be adjusted properly to fit snug with the dash it does take alot of time to get everything to fit right but it can be done.
When you build the bezel remove the two tabs on the back that go into the dash and the bezel will fit much better.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
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From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
I'll have to see what I can do about the fit when I get a replacement. For now I'm just going to chalk it up to incompetence and remember in the big picture, this is minor. Those installs look great and I hope to get mine looking that good eventually.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Los Angeles California
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 929
Likes: 45
From: Wayne NJ
I would not pay him the full amount since he is the one who cracked the bezel. You can make the bezel fit better by lifting up the traction control cover and loosen the two small nuts that are under the cover.Now push the bezel forward and keep a little pressure on the bezel and then tighten the nuts. Thats how I got mine to fit better. I hope this helps.
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I would seriously consider stopping payment or at least only paying a reduced amount due to the damage to the bezel. If the installer ran into problems, he should have called rather than trying to force the item to work.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Port Orchard WA
wow man thats one hell of a gap and even tho the crack is "fairly" small... i would stop payment immediately and deal w things professionally... you paid them to do a job and they did not do it correctly, only came up w excuses... what happened to customer service in this country???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,977
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From: Delmar Delaware
If he wants to be like that,word of mouth is a killer. First bash his shop to everyone you talk to. Then report him to the BBB. And then,talk to a lawyer(make that a point of conversation too) and shut his sorry *** down.