Topic: Went in for warranty work, 50-50 success rate (plus Wheel Liner question)

[TomatoSoup]

Took my car back in to King-GMC in Gaithersburg this morning to get some parts replaced under warranty (I had it in last month where they ordered them).  Not a great deal of success.  This is what I had to have done, and the results in italics:

- Replace Sill trim plate (Passenger side - aluminum strip came unstuck)) - replaced OK!
- Cracked wheel wells replaced -- replaced but using same screws, not clips/pins per TSB
- Free Oil Change -- (apparently) changed OK, but oil life not reset, and level is higher than max on dipstick
- Missing weatherstrip on passenger door -- part not found in stock, reordered
- +ve cable terminal cover missing (underhood fuse box) -- part not found in stock, reordered

I also asked them to check the handbrake adjustment.  It comes way up and needs some real umph to lock the wheels on a hill...  No fault found.  Guess I'll be fixing that myself.

Anyway, rather than go back about the wheel liner clips, I was going to try to get something suitable at Pep Boys.  Anyone out there who's had this done correctly, could you please take a photo of the inside and outside of the top clip/push pin and post it, so I can see what I need to match?  Thanks!

[Sol Asylum]

My dealer's tech gave me a few extra of the fasteners for the fender liners so here are a few pic of them.
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]

The splined part is about .75 inches long .30 in diameter
The head is .7 in diam

[TomatoSoup]

My dealer's tech gave me a few extra of the fasteners for the fender liners so here are a few pic of them.

The splined part is about .75 inches long .30 in diameter
The head is .7 in diam

That's beautiful!  Thanks you Soooo much!

[TomatoSoup]

Happy day - I just found I had a pack almost exactly that size!  Woo Hoo.

[Treeman]

If you don't mind driving a little bit, Fox Chevy in Laurel will do you much better.

[TomatoSoup]

If you don't mind driving a little bit, Fox Chevy in Laurel will do you much better.

Yeah, I've heard that, but it's 45mins away.  However, I'm beginning to think that may be the way to go, certainly for more complicated issues.

Back to the wheel liner clips, I put them in last night and all seems OK.  I checked online places for the actual part number and they're charging around $2+ each for those push-pins!  The pack I'd got from Pep Boys was about $2 for a box of 12!  (I'd originally got them for replacing the broken ones in my seat covers when I put in my seat-heaters.)

[DeepBlueGXP]

With your center console off, you can adjust the e-brake with a 10mm ratchet rench.  Adjust in when the handle is in the down position.  Then pull up and check, repeat until you have it the way you like.

[TomatoSoup]

With your center console off, you can adjust the e-brake with a 10mm ratchet rench.  Adjust in when the handle is in the down position.  Then pull up and check, repeat until you have it the way you like.

Yes, thanks Joe, but I'm wondering if the rear calipers are not adjusting properly and/or are partially seized, my car sat on the dealer showroom/lot for nearly 2 years before I bought it.  I'm gonna get into the rears and turn the pistons all the way in and start from there first I think.  Or do you think that's not worth it?

[DeepBlueGXP]

It's worth it but you have to pump them out once until you hear a click to get the e-brake to work, before you place them back over the rotor.  My adjuster is all the way to the bottom of the bolt so I have to back mine off and do the same as you are to the rear brakes.

[Critterman]

TS - very worth it.  when we replaced my rear pads we missed one of the connections in the rear for the emergency brake it didn't engage.  you could push my car with the brake on.  Re-did them and it is about halfway up and will hold on any hill I have been on.

[timlange3]

I too had my hand brake adjusted.  I bought my 2007 GXP two weeks ago with 26,000 miles on it and
the hand brake would not hold, barely engaged.  I took it to the local dealer and they checked the
pads, which were fine, and adjusted the brake at the console.  It works fine now.

Tim.

[TomatoSoup]

It's worth it but you have to pump them out once until you hear a click to get the e-brake to work, before you place them back over the rotor. 

Oh wow, hadn't heard about that before.  Thanks!  Will do.

[Critterman]

The step Joe listed is the one we missed replacing my pads

[IBDRINKEN]

I have had the gxp for 3 years now and the parking brake has never been right. If you search there is a post I made I think last year of the car rolling into a fench. All they did was adjust it. I can pull the brake handle almost all the way up.

[TomatoSoup]

I have had the gxp for 3 years now and the parking brake has never been right. If you search there is a post I made I think last year of the car rolling into a fench. All they did was adjust it. I can pull the brake handle almost all the way up.

Well, if my attempt is successful, maybe we can tackle yours at MMM7.

[Gentleman Jack]

Well, if my attempt is successful, maybe we can tackle yours at MMM7.

I would say it's a must. Can't have IBD rolling in to any more fenches.  They are endangered and are only found locally near his house.  The fenches must be saved!

GJ

[Sol Asylum]

I would say it's a must. Can't have IBD rolling in to any more fenches.  They are endangered and are only found locally near his house.  The fenches must be saved!

GJ

If Moby knows only one thing about me he will know I say screw the Fench!

[TomatoSoup]

OK, so got into my rear calipers today... started badly when I found the caliper slider bolts are 7mm Allen heads.  Lots of Allen key sets, not a 7mm among them!  So a quick trip to Harbor Freight got me a $7 metric allen socket set and I was set.  Anyway, long story short, the pistons went in fine, no binding or corrosion, but after all was said and done, the full retraction had no effect.  While I was in there though I decided to take off the rotors and paint the top hats... but that's a different story.

Bottom line, went back to the handbrake lever and adjusted the cable there.  Tightened it up fine and got my handbrake working to where it'll hold me on a hill.

Ah well, at least I know the calipers are in good condition.