GM Front Cover(Bra)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
GM Front Cover(Bra)
I bought a GM front cover for my 97 for a trip I am going to take and tried to put it on today. I
nstalled the snaps and no way I could stretch the cover to fit the car. Let the cover sit in the sun most of the day as the instructions indicate it needs to be warm so it will stretch and confirm to the front end. No way. The cover is still almost 6 inches short. My son and I both were pulling on it and it isn't going t make it.
Any one have any luck with the GM bra and if so what am I missing?
nstalled the snaps and no way I could stretch the cover to fit the car. Let the cover sit in the sun most of the day as the instructions indicate it needs to be warm so it will stretch and confirm to the front end. No way. The cover is still almost 6 inches short. My son and I both were pulling on it and it isn't going t make it.
Any one have any luck with the GM bra and if so what am I missing?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,387
Likes: 691
From: Boise ID
I have the GM Bra and it fits perfectly. I did need to do a lot of pulling and stretching the first time.
Below is a Tech Tip link which has good pictures.
http://web.archive.org/web/200712032...D=32&TopicID=1
Below is a Tech Tip link which has good pictures.
http://web.archive.org/web/200712032...D=32&TopicID=1
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
I just installed my GM bra last night. It fit fine, but some stretching was need for the sides. You REALLY have to pull hard for the sides. Try putting on the opposite side on first. In other words, try the other side that you just tried first. Good luck.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 3
From: Fort St John B.C
Hmm, I dont remember it being that hard, I hardly use mine as well, just on long trips.
Maybe take a step away for a few mins and re-think your inks, then give it another shot? Maybe you overlooked something.
Maybe take a step away for a few mins and re-think your inks, then give it another shot? Maybe you overlooked something.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 1
From: Indianola Iowa
I installed my new GM bra two weeks ago and also had to let set in the sun for most of the afternoon. It also was about 2 inches short of snapping on, just keep working at it and it will finally go on. Also when I tried putting it back on the second time it was tuff, it will get easier after it's been on a few times.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
I installed my new GM bra two weeks ago and also had to let set in the sun for most of the afternoon. It also was about 2 inches short of snapping on, just keep working at it and it will finally go on. Also when I tried putting it back on the second time it was tuff, it will get easier after it's been on a few times.
I have the brake duct screens on also so don't quite know wht I am going to do there; perhaps I can tuck it in without removing the screens.
Thanks for the info.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,390
Likes: 24,797
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I ran the GM bra on my last car for 7+ years - never had a problem getting it to fit, even when brand new. You may just have to keep at it and make sure it has been warmed up - perhaps use a hair dryer to raise the temp of the vinyl a bit.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
My 97 is representing the first gen of the C5 in the First and Last Display and was trying to minimize the bug cleanup before it is on display on Friday that week. If I can't get it to fit I will have to improvise after I get there to get it cleaned up before going over to the NCM.
Thanks for all the help; really appreciate it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I had the same issue with my SPEED LINGERIE bra (triple layer/thicker vinyl) the first time I put it on. Lots of new cuss words.
The good news...once it's been stretched and the vinyl has memory, it's a one person job.
The good news...once it's been stretched and the vinyl has memory, it's a one person job.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Does the GM bra connect into the lower front fascia brake ducts? The screens I have are set way back and can't picture in my head why they would interfere with the bra as it's flat in front of the brake duct screens correct?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
The GM bra's tabs seemingly tuck in exactly where the screens are wedged in. If I get the bra to fit I may be able to tuck the taps behind the bra and will still allow air to the brakes; or I can try to trim the tabs off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
The GM bra has tabs that slide in behind the facia where the brake duct(s) are. My screens are behind the facia and "wedged" between the facia and the black brake duct lip.
The GM bra's tabs seemingly tuck in exactly where the screens are wedged in. If I get the bra to fit I may be able to tuck the taps behind the bra and will still allow air to the brakes; or I can try to trim the tabs off.
The GM bra's tabs seemingly tuck in exactly where the screens are wedged in. If I get the bra to fit I may be able to tuck the taps behind the bra and will still allow air to the brakes; or I can try to trim the tabs off.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: Wright City MO
My GM Bra doen't have any tabs that slide in by the front brake duct openings. Just the tabs that fit in front on top under the hood area, and then the snaps under the front, and then 3 snaps inside each of the fender wells, with a single tab at the top of each fender well area.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
My GM Bra doen't have any tabs that slide in by the front brake duct openings. Just the tabs that fit in front on top under the hood area, and then the snaps under the front, and then 3 snaps inside each of the fender wells, with a single tab at the top of each fender well area.
