Need advice: Did shop install wrong part?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 38
From: Camarillo California
Need advice: Did shop install wrong part?
I took delivery of my Z51 in October 2013. It had the ususal separate air dams in front of each wheel. The inside egdes were cut at a 45 degree angle, thus:
I lost the passenger side air dam to some road debris and took my car to the local dealer for a replacement. Ater some confusion and delay concerning the correct part number, the dealer finally called to say that the part arrived.
When I got it back, it appears that both air dams have been replaced and they now have squared corners (inside and out).
When I feel behind the inside edge of each unit, there seems to be a ridge (channel) that might be intended to match up with the center air dam on a non-Z51 model. I much preferred the earlier design both for aesthetics and because it now scrapes in locations where it didn't before.
I suspect that the dealer incorrectly ordered the two side pieces of the non-Z51 air dam. I do recall hearing something about the Z51 air dam design being changed after initial production, but have no further information.
I thought I would seek out the wisdom of my CF brothers before taking the dealer to task on this.
I lost the passenger side air dam to some road debris and took my car to the local dealer for a replacement. Ater some confusion and delay concerning the correct part number, the dealer finally called to say that the part arrived.
When I got it back, it appears that both air dams have been replaced and they now have squared corners (inside and out).
When I feel behind the inside edge of each unit, there seems to be a ridge (channel) that might be intended to match up with the center air dam on a non-Z51 model. I much preferred the earlier design both for aesthetics and because it now scrapes in locations where it didn't before.
I suspect that the dealer incorrectly ordered the two side pieces of the non-Z51 air dam. I do recall hearing something about the Z51 air dam design being changed after initial production, but have no further information.
I thought I would seek out the wisdom of my CF brothers before taking the dealer to task on this.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 697
Likes: 50
From: Up North Wisconsin
You are correct. They put on just the ends of the air dam for the base model. Tell them to put on the correct ones. These may be able to be cut to the correct size but make them do it right. Some will tell you to leave them off. As dumb as the Z51 pieces look, just the ends of the base air dam look even worse. Good luck. 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 38
From: Camarillo California
Yeah, after paying over $300 I'm not real pleased with the look. I'm even more displeased with what could be construed to be intentional deception.
One would assume that they were made aware of their mistake when they saw the shape and dimensions of the remaining original air dam. Moreover, when I picked up the car they neglected to mention that both sides had been replaced.
A suspicious mind would conclude that they just slapped on what they had, believing that I wouldn't know the difference.
One would assume that they were made aware of their mistake when they saw the shape and dimensions of the remaining original air dam. Moreover, when I picked up the car they neglected to mention that both sides had been replaced.
A suspicious mind would conclude that they just slapped on what they had, believing that I wouldn't know the difference.
Last edited by Magister Ludi; Apr 21, 2014 at 11:59 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island/NJ NY/NJ
Yeah, after paying over $300 I'm not real pleased with the look. I'm even more displeased with what appears to be intentional deception.
One would assume that they were made aware of their mistake when they saw the shape and dimensions of the remaining original air dam. Moreover, when I picked up the car they neglected to mention that both sides had been replaced.
A suspicious mind would conclude that they just slapped on what they had, believing that I wouldn't know the difference.
One would assume that they were made aware of their mistake when they saw the shape and dimensions of the remaining original air dam. Moreover, when I picked up the car they neglected to mention that both sides had been replaced.
A suspicious mind would conclude that they just slapped on what they had, believing that I wouldn't know the difference.
If it was a high volume dealer than yes maybe they tried to deceive u.
When I had my m3 I had a huge fight with service (maint. included) that my m3 had a special TSB for rear diff fluid break in change and they didn't know that until I printed it and showed them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,615
Likes: 60
From: Haymarket Virginia
Yeah, after paying over $300 I'm not real pleased with the look. I'm even more displeased with what appears to be intentional deception.
One would assume that they were made aware of their mistake when they saw the shape and dimensions of the remaining original air dam. Moreover, when I picked up the car they neglected to mention that both sides had been replaced.
A suspicious mind would conclude that they just slapped on what they had, believing that I wouldn't know the difference.
One would assume that they were made aware of their mistake when they saw the shape and dimensions of the remaining original air dam. Moreover, when I picked up the car they neglected to mention that both sides had been replaced.
A suspicious mind would conclude that they just slapped on what they had, believing that I wouldn't know the difference.
I thought I read somewhere that they might have changed the airdam design?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 13
It's really hard for a dealer to screw up, they really have to try when it comes to parts. If they entered you VIN into the system it will call up the correct airdam part numbers based on your build sheet.
Of course the parts listings are still not available on the Internet from OEM GM parts suppliers so there's not way to check.
Those are wrong, they had a 50/50 chance to get it right, they failed.
Of course the parts listings are still not available on the Internet from OEM GM parts suppliers so there's not way to check.
Those are wrong, they had a 50/50 chance to get it right, they failed.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 38
From: Camarillo California
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,164
Likes: 18,010
From: DFW Area TX
Here's a photo that shows mine:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 38
From: Camarillo California
[QUOTE=Zymurgy;1586710672]I took delivery of mine in mid-Feb (a late Jan build) and it has the angled deflectors. In addition to those replacements you have not being cut at an angle, they are much longer. The Z51 deflectors don't go much past the start of the grill opening. The ones you have extend much farther - almost to the first vertical rib.
QUOTE]
Thank you very much. That's what I needed to know.
QUOTE]
Thank you very much. That's what I needed to know.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 896
Likes: 38
From: Camarillo California
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island/NJ NY/NJ
do it yourself or find a local family owned car shop where they are dedicated to their work to do it for you... Plus they are not using great oil at the dealer the dexos blend im not a fan. I am only going to run mobil 1 full synthetic or maybe amsoil (my boys shop is an amsoil dealer)
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Bodden Town Grand Cayman
Correct Parts
The deflectors shown in your photos are exactly the same as those which came with my Z51 (pilot-production C7, #14). It seems that these were revised on later cars, according to the photo in another post here.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 3
I went to Walmart and bought 2 5 gallon jugs of Mobil 1 5w30 for $60. I am picking up an ac filter from the local dealer for $5.50 tomorrow. I am changing the oil myself on my lift and skipping the free 2 year maintenance. My last Vette went in for warranty repair and came out worse and had to make 2 more trips for what the mechanic tore up fixing the original problem. It is not going to a dealer for anything unless it absolutely has to. I don't trust the local jokels.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island/NJ NY/NJ
I went to Walmart and bought 2 5 gallon jugs of Mobil 1 5w30 for $60. I am picking up an ac filter from the local dealer for $5.50 tomorrow. I am changing the oil myself on my lift and skipping the free 2 year maintenance. My last Vette went in for warranty repair and came out worse and had to make 2 more trips for what the mechanic tore up fixing the original problem. It is not going to a dealer for anything unless it absolutely has to. I don't trust the local jokels.