Bowed Facia?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
Bowed Facia?
I was under the front end of my 2005 C6 the other day and notice the cut outs(1 screw in each )
where those steel bumper things that scrape on low clearance are, dont know exactly what they are called but the the fiberglass is bowed,its like that on both sides,I don't remember them being like that before,I haven't hit anything,is that suppose to be like that?
Last edited by AV8TOR536; Apr 30, 2018 at 03:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 786
Likes: 58
From: New Paltz NY
I had the same problems. Further investigation proved that the lower radiator support were broken, which caused the bow in the bumper fiberglass. I'm replacing the lower radiator support as soon as I get brave.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
I don't think thats it,I pushed up on them and they are solid,I have heard though to replace them is a pita.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 202
From: Mountain View California
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
lower radiator support
I was under the front end of my 2005 C6 the other day and notice the cut outs(1 screw in each )
where those steel bumper things that scrape on low clearance are, dont know exactly what they are called but the the fiberglass is bowed,its like that on both sides,I don't remember them being like that before,I haven't hit anything,is that suppose to be like that?
those metal brackets are the part of lower radiator support.
this portion functions as a "skid plate" for the front end.
to many hits on this, will cause the bracket to final break.
this causes the fascia to sag a bit. and if it has broken,
you should also notice more scraping of the air dam then usual.
( if no more scraping, then you should be ok ).
I paid $300 for parts, + $100 for my tire shop to install.
I would get a flashlight and do a search from the top side.
it could be broken and wedged in place.
good luck!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
I just went out and opened the hood and looked down at the supports and no cracks or breaks..look new..knowing GM and the way they put cars together,it might just be like that as the other post said..I guess I just never noticed it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
Fascia
hopefully all is good.
it may also be bowed to allow it to flex, in case of minimal contact.
if it was rigid, It would probably snap when hitting something
( i.e. curb ).
if you drive it long enough, you will be replacing it.
unless you drive only on the Bonneville salt flats.
Supporting Vendor
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From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Hi AV8TOR536
You should install a pair of our Fangs before there is anymore damage and eventually possible breakage of the radiator support. The Fangs eliminate the friction that the soft aluminum skid plates/radiator support cause when they scrape and dig into what they are scraping on, which can cause the support to break. The Fangs just slide like a bearing surface.
Here is a link. Click the Fangs picture, there you will find two versions of Fangs and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6Products.html
Thank you,
Christian
You should install a pair of our Fangs before there is anymore damage and eventually possible breakage of the radiator support. The Fangs eliminate the friction that the soft aluminum skid plates/radiator support cause when they scrape and dig into what they are scraping on, which can cause the support to break. The Fangs just slide like a bearing surface.
Here is a link. Click the Fangs picture, there you will find two versions of Fangs and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6Products.html
Thank you,
Christian
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Last edited by SacCityCorvette; May 1, 2018 at 02:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
Heres a pic of the bracket.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
fangs
Hi cgladish,
You should install a pair of our Fangs before there is anymore damage and eventually possible breakage of the radiator support. The Fangs eliminate the friction that the soft aluminum skid plates cause when they scrape and dig into what they are scraping on, which can cause the support to break. The Fangs just slide like a bearing surface.
Here is a link. Click the Fangs picture, there you will find two versions of Fangs and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6Products.html
Thank you,
Christian
You should install a pair of our Fangs before there is anymore damage and eventually possible breakage of the radiator support. The Fangs eliminate the friction that the soft aluminum skid plates cause when they scrape and dig into what they are scraping on, which can cause the support to break. The Fangs just slide like a bearing surface.
Here is a link. Click the Fangs picture, there you will find two versions of Fangs and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6Products.html
Thank you,
Christian
do these attached to current "skid" bars? if so, I can see where it would help in reduces damage to the bars. but since these bars are part of the radiator support, they would still transfer any impact encountered. I believe that my damage may have been a combination of the previous owner's & my history. I've only had the car since 01/2017, and only noticed the damage about 6 months ago. I do not remember any major impacts, but a few minor ones
( beyond parking lot berms ).
if your fangs attached were mounted independent of the rad. support, I could see that being a plus.
since I've replaced the rad. support, I don't recall having any contact in the area. if do end up needing to replace it in the future, I may go your route.
please let me know the details on this anyways.
thanks!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
Hi AV8TOR536
You should install a pair of our Fangs before there is anymore damage and eventually possible breakage of the radiator support. The Fangs eliminate the friction that the soft aluminum skid plates/radiator support cause when they scrape and dig into what they are scraping on, which can cause the support to break. The Fangs just slide like a bearing surface.
Here is a link. Click the Fangs picture, there you will find two versions of Fangs and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6Products.html
Thank you,
Christian
You should install a pair of our Fangs before there is anymore damage and eventually possible breakage of the radiator support. The Fangs eliminate the friction that the soft aluminum skid plates/radiator support cause when they scrape and dig into what they are scraping on, which can cause the support to break. The Fangs just slide like a bearing surface.
Here is a link. Click the Fangs picture, there you will find two versions of Fangs and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C6Products.html
Thank you,
Christian
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
fangs
Those look like a nice item but I have never scraped those supports since I have owned the car, 5 years,looks like the previous owner scuffed them on something,I know they hang there and Im very careful but if I decide to buy fangs,I sure will order some from you.
Thanks
Thanks
I only remember bottoming out once, hard enough to hit rad. supports.
I'm guessing that was the hit that did it in.
beyond that, my biggest issue is not clipping the front bumper on parking berms.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 7
My car doesn't come within 50 ft of those yelliw parking berms..lol...I park way out in the lot!😅
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
I'm not the worrying type of person, but I've heard & seen enough when people try to distance themselves. their will also be "that" person
who will F*&^ with you. I've been lucking enough I guess in just trying to blend in. although I will try to park as protectively as possible.
at 6'2" 300lbs, I always hate when someone parks a bit too close, and I end up looking like a circus animal trying to get in.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,469
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From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
do these attached to current "skid" bars? if so, I can see where it would help in reduces damage to the bars. but since these bars are part of the radiator support, they would still transfer any impact encountered. I believe that my damage may have been a combination of the previous owner's & my history. I've only had the car since 01/2017, and only noticed the damage about 6 months ago. I do not remember any major impacts, but a few minor ones
( beyond parking lot berms ).
if your fangs attached were mounted independent of the rad. support, I could see that being a plus.
since I've replaced the rad. support, I don't recall having any contact in the area. if do end up needing to replace it in the future, I may go your route.
please let me know the details on this anyways.
thanks!
( beyond parking lot berms ).
if your fangs attached were mounted independent of the rad. support, I could see that being a plus.
since I've replaced the rad. support, I don't recall having any contact in the area. if do end up needing to replace it in the future, I may go your route.
please let me know the details on this anyways.
thanks!
Yes, they attach to the skid bars that are part of the lower radiator radiator support. They minimize the impact by sliding instead of gouging in and getting traction that can break the support.
Thanks
Christian
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,469
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From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Those look like a nice item but I have never scraped those supports since I have owned the car, 5 years,looks like the previous owner scuffed them on something,I know they hang there and Im very careful but if I decide to buy fangs,I sure will order some from you.
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks
Christian
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,760
Likes: 2,511
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I had the same problem and after staring at it for sometime I decided to take a deeper look. I see you have scrapes on the radiator support, so I suspect the same issue. I am guessing that the radiator support/protective frame is bent. Remove the lower trim and inspect it close; hard to see distortion sometimes. It is a fairly easy fix, taking about 2 hours and about $275. Don't short cut and cut and splice wires like many suggest here, all wires that feed through end up at the lights, so simply disconnect. Make sure to buy a frame with the threaded inserts already installed. You will need a second set of hands as this is decent size and can be awkward to maneuver on your own!
Bear in mind, many think the frame is a "skid plate" or the like, but it is actually designed to protect the radiator.....
Bear in mind, many think the frame is a "skid plate" or the like, but it is actually designed to protect the radiator.....