May 10, 2016, 02:15 PM
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Bubbling Sail Panel Issue for Dummies
Originally Posted by LS1POWER98
no dout 99-02 wtf Gm you know that it was 98-02 i have a 98 ws6 i havent had a problem yet but gm is so ******* cheap and are such ********* to the customers wtf at least theyre steppin up a bit
My 30th TA and my 01 were both replaced under warrenty. Last time I checked they were no longer replacing them under warrenty. The "service" bulliten is just that, it does not mean warrenty.
Originally Posted by JAvenger007
As far as the actual sail panel repairs: He figured it was just a matter of repainting the panel. So he went to order parts off GM and waited for them to ship. Well, he removed the roof and got it ready to paint, then the packages arrived. He said everything arrived AS A KIT. It was complete with the new glue, paint stuff, a new carbon fiber-like panel, and everything else needed. A KIT!? Either GM knows what is wrong and has created this package for the obvious fix or they simply use this as a complete kit for repairing damaged roofs. Either way it seemed fishy on GM's part. Apparently it was an easy install once everything finally got there. They were extremely nice and on my part, all i had to do for the entire install was sign once at the beginning and once at the end.
I saw the bill which displayed all the parts/labor prices. At the bottom was the total and then "GM warranty coverage" which deducted the entire price and gave a final total of $0.00. I then signed a second time and left.
Thats all guys, its that simple and I cant believe GM is giving the runaround like they are. The manager that did the work for me said he believes the fiberglass panel that was used at the factory might be at fault for spreading the fumes/outgassing the glue. He said carbon fiber wont do that which is likely why they replace them with those pieces.
I figured that once I was successful for myself i would outline my own personal experience so heres the gist of how I conducted everything:
-went online to find a list of nearby pontiac dealers.
-called them asking when their service managers are available and if they had a repair shop (which is important because sometimes theyll agree to the work but have to send you elsewhere to another dealer that inturn might not approve of the repairs)
-then I printed ALL the info on these pages here in this thread. The old TSB, the new one that was updated as well as the two links concerning "autosafety" paint stuff.
-I wrote down additional notes for persuading the manager, such as "latent defect", "evidence of condition occuring regardless of owner's care for car" and things like that.
-Stick it to them. I often added lines like "Im a member of the fbody association" or giving myself some sort of title that means business. Yes its somewhat of a lie but its also leverage, giving the manager the idea that you are from some sort of organization thats familiar with the problem.
thats about it, i never emailed or called any sort of customer service line. Just keep driving till you find the dealer is what id suggest. Then resort to higher-ups. sorry for the long wind but hopefully itll help somewhat. Goodluck
I saw the bill which displayed all the parts/labor prices. At the bottom was the total and then "GM warranty coverage" which deducted the entire price and gave a final total of $0.00. I then signed a second time and left.
Thats all guys, its that simple and I cant believe GM is giving the runaround like they are. The manager that did the work for me said he believes the fiberglass panel that was used at the factory might be at fault for spreading the fumes/outgassing the glue. He said carbon fiber wont do that which is likely why they replace them with those pieces.
I figured that once I was successful for myself i would outline my own personal experience so heres the gist of how I conducted everything:
-went online to find a list of nearby pontiac dealers.
-called them asking when their service managers are available and if they had a repair shop (which is important because sometimes theyll agree to the work but have to send you elsewhere to another dealer that inturn might not approve of the repairs)
-then I printed ALL the info on these pages here in this thread. The old TSB, the new one that was updated as well as the two links concerning "autosafety" paint stuff.
-I wrote down additional notes for persuading the manager, such as "latent defect", "evidence of condition occuring regardless of owner's care for car" and things like that.
-Stick it to them. I often added lines like "Im a member of the fbody association" or giving myself some sort of title that means business. Yes its somewhat of a lie but its also leverage, giving the manager the idea that you are from some sort of organization thats familiar with the problem.
thats about it, i never emailed or called any sort of customer service line. Just keep driving till you find the dealer is what id suggest. Then resort to higher-ups. sorry for the long wind but hopefully itll help somewhat. Goodluck
Unless the primer was the cause of the problem we will most likely be replacing them again in another six or so years.
I had this 2 years ago. My 01 was out of the 3 year 36,000 warranty. The paint is only covered for 3 years or 36,000 PERIOD. They don't have to fix it. I had estimates done and they ranged from $700-$900. I talked to a woman at the Pontiac 800# and she got GM to fix it for me under the 6 year corrosion warranty. I got lucky. I wish I still had her name and exstension # to give you guys but I don't. Good luck.
'scooley', a member over on another LS1 board says this today, ...
"I just called my dealer about the sail panel paint problem and informed him about the Service Bulletin. he told me "NO PROBLEM, LET'S GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY."
He had me fax him a copy of the SB that I got from LS1Tech. He called back and said that everything would be taken care of.
I'm not used to that type of service anymore. It was almost shocking. I gotta brag on Garlyn Shelton Motors.
Again, I want to thank you for the directions and support in helping me get this resolved.
Now, all I have to worry about is future windnoise."
"Garlyn Shelton Motors". Temple, Texas
Guess you've got a 170mile road trip coming up, heh?!?
I know there are other Garlyn Shelton locations too tho, ...
"I just called my dealer about the sail panel paint problem and informed him about the Service Bulletin. he told me "NO PROBLEM, LET'S GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY."
He had me fax him a copy of the SB that I got from LS1Tech. He called back and said that everything would be taken care of.
I'm not used to that type of service anymore. It was almost shocking. I gotta brag on Garlyn Shelton Motors.
Again, I want to thank you for the directions and support in helping me get this resolved.
Now, all I have to worry about is future windnoise."
"Garlyn Shelton Motors". Temple, Texas
Guess you've got a 170mile road trip coming up, heh?!?
I know there are other Garlyn Shelton locations too tho, ...
Originally Posted by PontiacFan
Now, all I have to worry about is future windnoise.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
actaully that is total bullshit to a certain point, if ur car is over 3 years or over 35,000 miles ur screwed. My car has 24,000 miles on it and is 4 years old. So it did not work for me as much as i wanted it too. Which ever comes first. It was a good try tho. Persoanlly it really comes down to the service rep., if hes a ******** forget bout it. Im still pissed off about it. 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, Arizona
I've read that some people still got bubbles even after a roof replacement. Has anyone talked to a good body shop? I wonder if they could sand down the roof and use a really good sealer then do a repaint? Any comments?
Since my car was a flood vehicle the dealer refused to fix mine. (Like the flood had anything to do with the shitty GM screw up!) I went to a local body shop. They repaired it and repainted my drivers side quarter panel (big nasty scratch) for 1200.00. That repair was made last year and it still looks perfect. Not sure how they repaired it though.
mike as far as i know the paint is not the problem. Just repainting will not solve it.
It sounds like your well informed with this so i dont doubt you. The body shop did point out to me though that the new panels were lighter and felt different than stock. Also there was word that a different glue had to be used being the problem. Theyre good but they could of course be talking out their ***, so i dont know.
In my case though, they did repair no questions asked for free. They also gave me a lifetime warranty on the sail panels. so hopefully in 5 or 6 years theyll still be in business for my 2nd repaint.
Originally Posted by Jeremiah
The new panels are made from the same exact material as the old ones, GM still uses windsheild urithane to install the replacement just as the originals. There made from SMC, not Fiberglass or carbon fiber, its the same material that the SS hoods, rear hatch, doors ect. are made from. The only difference I see is you dont use a primer for the urithane to adhere to like the originals, it is now mixed with the urithane glue its self.
Unless the primer was the cause of the problem we will most likely be replacing them again in another six or so years.
Unless the primer was the cause of the problem we will most likely be replacing them again in another six or so years.
In my case though, they did repair no questions asked for free. They also gave me a lifetime warranty on the sail panels. so hopefully in 5 or 6 years theyll still be in business for my 2nd repaint.