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Bubbling Sail Panel Issue for Dummies
11-20-2009, 11:32 AM
#1203
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(1) 10254708 PANEL - RF 12.810
(1) 10240164 APPLIQUE - 12.812
(1) 10240165 APPLIQUE - 12.812
03-08-98-001A
INSTALLED NEW PANEL, PAINTED.
This was on the invoice for the repair, 2002 SS.
I posted this before at like #938 but I realize that nobody is going to read one thousand posts to find an answer.
I will put the numbers in a new post, maybe that will make it easier to find in the future.
Good luck to all who still need this done to their cars...
(1) 10240164 APPLIQUE - 12.812
(1) 10240165 APPLIQUE - 12.812
03-08-98-001A
INSTALLED NEW PANEL, PAINTED.
This was on the invoice for the repair, 2002 SS.
I posted this before at like #938 but I realize that nobody is going to read one thousand posts to find an answer.
I will put the numbers in a new post, maybe that will make it easier to find in the future.
Good luck to all who still need this done to their cars...
11-21-2009, 03:02 AM
#1204
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The chances of having GM replace anymore of these are slim. You would be best off to buy the panel and replace it in your garage. There was a thread showing how to replace the panel on here some where and he uses an all weather sealant to hold the panel down. Didnt seem to hard and you may even be able to get a panel off of ebay for pretty cheep.
12-07-2009, 10:47 PM
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The chances of having GM replace anymore of these are slim. You would be best off to buy the panel and replace it in your garage. There was a thread showing how to replace the panel on here some where and he uses an all weather sealant to hold the panel down. Didnt seem to hard and you may even be able to get a panel off of ebay for pretty cheep.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...-yourself.html
Does anyone know where to purchase the sail panel other than the dealer? I have been watching ebay for months and searching the classifieds section here and haven't come up with one. I don't know how it would be possible to get one from a car in a junkyard in one piece.
01-03-2010, 12:09 AM
#1207
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ya this sux but a year since i saw the first 2 little bubbles and mine havent gotten any worse yet i guess ill just cross my fingers and hope they dont get worse
01-03-2010, 09:23 AM
#1210
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look at this, I'm sure GM pushed our issues under there mat...
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=11747164
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=11747164
01-29-2010, 08:54 PM
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03-11-2010, 04:29 PM
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Been a while since I've posted in this thread. Just wanted to clear something up for people that don't want to read 60 pages (can't blame you).
As for effected model years.....
The TSB calls for '99-'02. This is *mostly* correct. The majority of 1998 model year cars DO NOT develop this issue. To date (and I have looked at/confirmed with MANY '98 owners) I cannot find a single '98 with this issue *except for* 05/98 and 06/98 build date cars. Strangely, in all the cars I've seen, I haven't found a 04/98 built car (was there a strike in '98 that reduced/eliminated production for April?).
What this means to the do-it-yourselfers:
If you want to buy a USED panel, make sure it is from a 03/98 or EARLIER built car. A May or June built '98 is just as likely to have this condition as any '99+ car. I have seen only ONE 05/98 built F-body not have this issue to date, so frankly I do not trust any of the May panels since there is no way of knowing the exact day that the change was made.
Can you please verify your build date for me? It's on the sticker located on the driver's door jamb. It will be in MM/YY format (like 05/98). Please let us know if you can.
As for effected model years.....
The TSB calls for '99-'02. This is *mostly* correct. The majority of 1998 model year cars DO NOT develop this issue. To date (and I have looked at/confirmed with MANY '98 owners) I cannot find a single '98 with this issue *except for* 05/98 and 06/98 build date cars. Strangely, in all the cars I've seen, I haven't found a 04/98 built car (was there a strike in '98 that reduced/eliminated production for April?).
What this means to the do-it-yourselfers:
If you want to buy a USED panel, make sure it is from a 03/98 or EARLIER built car. A May or June built '98 is just as likely to have this condition as any '99+ car. I have seen only ONE 05/98 built F-body not have this issue to date, so frankly I do not trust any of the May panels since there is no way of knowing the exact day that the change was made.
Can you please verify your build date for me? It's on the sticker located on the driver's door jamb. It will be in MM/YY format (like 05/98). Please let us know if you can.
03-12-2010, 02:03 PM
#1215
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Hmmmmm.....I am psychic....I predict your build date is 05/98! 
Haha.... pjb, you may not recall but back in April of '08 you sent me a PM stating that your build month was May of '98.
For any other '98 owners reading this, if you have the problem please post your build month. All the data to date has shown that pre-May cars are fine, but if there's data that shows otherwise I'd like to hear about it. This is also useful to people looking to buy used panels.
Haha.... pjb, you may not recall but back in April of '08 you sent me a PM stating that your build month was May of '98.
For any other '98 owners reading this, if you have the problem please post your build month. All the data to date has shown that pre-May cars are fine, but if there's data that shows otherwise I'd like to hear about it. This is also useful to people looking to buy used panels.
03-15-2010, 05:52 AM
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Hmmmmm.....I am psychic....I predict your build date is 05/98!
Haha.... pjb, you may not recall but back in April of '08 you sent me a PM stating that your build month was May of '98.
For any other '98 owners reading this, if you have the problem please post your build month. All the data to date has shown that pre-May cars are fine, but if there's data that shows otherwise I'd like to hear about it. This is also useful to people looking to buy used panels.
Haha.... pjb, you may not recall but back in April of '08 you sent me a PM stating that your build month was May of '98.
For any other '98 owners reading this, if you have the problem please post your build month. All the data to date has shown that pre-May cars are fine, but if there's data that shows otherwise I'd like to hear about it. This is also useful to people looking to buy used panels.
I thought it sounded familiar!
03-19-2010, 03:03 PM
#1217
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I have a 2001 SS coupe that I purchased new. In 03 I noticed the bubbles. Before I contacted my dealer Classic chevy of Turnersville, I gathered all my info from several sites.
Of course no one there new anything about it.To make a long story short, It took over 6 months to have it resolved. At one point in time they called me in to say my car was finished. They had PUT THE ROOF ON CROOKED. Like wearing a baseball cap to the side.
Two years later bubbles started again. At that point I didn't want to get into it again.
I had a body shop do a spot repair in 06. Fine since. It has been a while but I believe the gm number is tsb 030898001.
Of course no one there new anything about it.To make a long story short, It took over 6 months to have it resolved. At one point in time they called me in to say my car was finished. They had PUT THE ROOF ON CROOKED. Like wearing a baseball cap to the side.
Two years later bubbles started again. At that point I didn't want to get into it again.
I had a body shop do a spot repair in 06. Fine since. It has been a while but I believe the gm number is tsb 030898001.
03-19-2010, 03:03 PM
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I have a 2001 SS coupe that I purchased new. In 03 I noticed the bubbles. Before I contacted my dealer Classic chevy of Turnersville, I gathered all my info from several sites.
Of course no one there new anything about it.To make a long story short, It took over 6 months to have it resolved. At one point in time they called me in to say my car was finished. They had PUT THE ROOF ON CROOKED. Like wearing a baseball cap to the side.
Two years later bubbles started again. At that point I didn't want to get into it again.
I had a body shop do a spot repair in 06. Fine since. It has been a while but I believe the gm number is tsb 030898001.
Of course no one there new anything about it.To make a long story short, It took over 6 months to have it resolved. At one point in time they called me in to say my car was finished. They had PUT THE ROOF ON CROOKED. Like wearing a baseball cap to the side.
Two years later bubbles started again. At that point I didn't want to get into it again.
I had a body shop do a spot repair in 06. Fine since. It has been a while but I believe the gm number is tsb 030898001.
03-19-2010, 03:58 PM
#1219
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I have a 2001 SS coupe that I purchased new. In 03 I noticed the bubbles. Before I contacted my dealer Classic chevy of Turnersville, I gathered all my info from several sites.
Of course no one there new anything about it.To make a long story short, It took over 6 months to have it resolved. At one point in time they called me in to say my car was finished. They had PUT THE ROOF ON CROOKED. Like wearing a baseball cap to the side.
Two years later bubbles started again. At that point I didn't want to get into it again.
I had a body shop do a spot repair in 06. Fine since. It has been a while but I believe the gm number is tsb 030898001.
Of course no one there new anything about it.To make a long story short, It took over 6 months to have it resolved. At one point in time they called me in to say my car was finished. They had PUT THE ROOF ON CROOKED. Like wearing a baseball cap to the side.
Two years later bubbles started again. At that point I didn't want to get into it again.
I had a body shop do a spot repair in 06. Fine since. It has been a while but I believe the gm number is tsb 030898001.
GM had the audacity to call me the day before arbitration and "offer" to change my deductible on my extended warranty from $100 to $0. I told the woman that I would have gladly paid $500 to have it fixed so to basically F off and that I would see them in arbitration.
Long story short, I convinced the arbitrator that GM should be liable. I won, and got it fixed. But now with even the newest 4th gens almost at 10 years old I think you will have a hard time convincing any arbitrator that your paint should be fixed.
I think the reason I won was because the GM rep said that I should have been bringing my car into a GM dealer for service. I asked if that would have prevented the bubbles from forming on my car, and how many Camaro owners that bring their cars in for service have been informed of the problem. He refused to answer the question and so the arbitrator found in my favor.
