Help Installing GM Factory Bra
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 29
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Help Installing GM Factory Bra
Hey Guys,
I hope you all had a great holiday. For Christmas I got the factory bra. In my excitement, I ripped open the box and opened the instruction manual, placing the snaps, screws, etc. to mount the bra on top of the box. It seems, (though no one will admit it), that somebody threw away that precious plastic bag with all of the materials to mount it.
So, without calling the dealer or factory, does anyone know of a way to install the bottom/large portion of the bra without the provided materials? I know it's a long shot, but I'd rather not go through the hassle since I'm driving to New Orleans for New Year's. I know the new materials won't arrive on time.
Thanks for your help
I hope you all had a great holiday. For Christmas I got the factory bra. In my excitement, I ripped open the box and opened the instruction manual, placing the snaps, screws, etc. to mount the bra on top of the box. It seems, (though no one will admit it), that somebody threw away that precious plastic bag with all of the materials to mount it.
So, without calling the dealer or factory, does anyone know of a way to install the bottom/large portion of the bra without the provided materials? I know it's a long shot, but I'd rather not go through the hassle since I'm driving to New Orleans for New Year's. I know the new materials won't arrive on time.
Thanks for your help
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
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From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
The grommets supplied with the bra are pretty worthless anyway. You can get 5/8" #8 marine snaps that work nicely in place of the standard snaps. Either a marine supply store or auto upholstery shop should be able to help you out for not much $$$.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
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From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
You'll have to go to the hardware store and buy about nine of the male part of the snaps that are on the Bra. True Value should have them. Then you can try to use the existing screws that are removed to install the snaps. If they don't work, find sheet metal screws that will. Then look under the Tools heading for Tech Tips, there a good post on installing a GM Bra. 
Last edited by sxeC7; Dec 27, 2004 at 07:07 PM.
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Originally Posted by thevettenet CA
The grommets supplied with the bra are pretty worthless anyway. You can get 5/8" #8 marine snaps that work nicely in place of the standard snaps. Either a marine supply store or auto upholstery shop should be able to help you out for not much $$$.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,751
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From: Ventura, CA Fight On Forever
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
You need 7 stainless steel snap fasteners. The correct size is metric but the available size, as stated above, is 5/8" long by #7 or #8. If you use a debris srceen that attaches to the front bumper at the same location as the 3 under bumper snap fasteners, you will need longer ones, which are hard to get in small quantity.
This hardware is avialable at maine stores and Lowe's. Don't waste you time at the Roam Depot. Best,
mtv
This hardware is avialable at maine stores and Lowe's. Don't waste you time at the Roam Depot. Best,
mtv
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 597
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From: You want HOW much for that Corvette part??? Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by DAWS C5
Also check out the CF Tech Tips for a good install article.
the instructions in tech tips are much better than those that come with the bra
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Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Temecula Ca
Originally Posted by atl97vette
the instructions in tech tips are much better than those that come with the braI also used these instructions and they really helped.
The only thing I found is that if I tried to use the original screw holes that the replacement rubber based snap would not hold the body molding tight and left a un desirable gap.
What I wound up doing which was easy was drilling new hole about 1/2 inch below the original for each snap, drill all four at once before untightening the original screws.
Then I remove one screw at a time and used a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the original clip retainers down to the new hole. I then tightened the screws. So what you wind up with is the original screws and clips moved ½ inch down and the wheel well moldings still nice and tight.
You can then just push the rubber base of the snaps into the original holes and tighten them up. You need to use this location for correct fit of the bra.
If you just move one at a time as I indicated - the hole where the clip originally was will line up and you will have no trouble pushing in the rubber base.
Hope this helps.
