[Mowgli]

In the back seats, the trim panels on the D pillars, the ones with the Airbag logo on them... my driverside one just decides its gonna let go at the top and start flappin in the breeze. So I take it into the dealer and they say they need to order a part.

So I get home and on a whim check the other side, and it feels pretty dang loose too, though its not detached at the top like the driver's side is. (yet)

Anyone else have this problem? Is this common?

 

[ssmith100]

Re: Loose interior trim panels on D pillars

If you pop the air bag emblem off there is a 7mm screw behind it that seems to come loose. If it is overtightened, it will brake the plastic. Pull off the emblem and you will see what I'm talking about. I've had mine off numerous times and they still tighten up perfect. Be careful removing the emblem as to not break the tabs.

Shane

 

[globed70]

Re: Loose interior trim panels on D pillars

If it's not loose, and the plastic is actually broken, have them replace both... it's a pain because the seat belt has to come out. They are called 'sail panels' btw.

 

[6104696]

Re: Loose interior trim panels on D pillars

yep.....happened to me too. the plastic piece broke. I was able to fix myself, though, by removing the screw (without removing the seat belt and sail panel), and using an aluminum washer (maybe 3/4" dia, bit with a 1/8" screw hole), trimming it to fit in the opening. I manuevered the screw into the hole in the washer, manuevered the washer into position, and tightened it all up. There was enough plastic left to enable the washer to clamp the plastic against the pillar.

It was a pain in the butt, but less so than going to the dealer once, having them order the part, then go again and drop off the car (or wait around).

Doug

 

[jdodman]

Driver side rear / interior sail panel

The sail panel behind the rear seat passenger (drivers side) fell out the other day (WTF ?) It looks like a clip behind the air bag broke. I am hesitant to mess with it since it may deploy the air bag. I stuck it back up and tucked one side back behind the rear door weather stripping. Seems to hold until I open the windows. This is a 2004. Did a search and did not see anything.
Anyone else get this ??

 

[NIK]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

The sail panel behind the rear seat passenger (drivers side) fell out the other day (WTF ?) It looks like a clip behind the air bag broke. I am hesitant to mess with it since it may deploy the air bag. I stuck it back up and tucked one side back behind the rear door weather stripping. Seems to hold until I open the windows. This is a 2004. Did a search and did not see anything.
Anyone else get this ??

Very common problem - take to dealer (warranty item) and they will order and replace with new & improved sail panels. My dealer ordered new ones for me without even looking at the old ones.

 

[Holmes815]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

Poorly Designed parts- the piece that breaks is mean't to break away on purpose but is too weak for regular driving conditions with the windows down. You can definitely go to dealer as many have done; I cut a piece of metal in the shape of where the clip goes and epoxied it into the plastic. I feel like mine is pretty sturdy and they definitely will still break under airbag deployment since there is still plastic there. I bet you broke yours with the windows down doin at least 90, right???:thumbsup:

James

 

[jdodman]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

Oddly enough, I recently did run across a BMW M5 on the PA Turnpike, where some spirited driving did occur with the windows down. I was somewhere north of 90 when we really got going, but would not want to venture a guess exactly where, at least not on the internet.

It was just after that incident, I noticed the sail panel was dangeling. To be honest, I did not put that together until your post. Oh well.. Don't tell my wife but her little dog happened to be in the car for the event, and I remember his coat looked like he stuck his paw in an electrical socket when I finally slowed down.

As always, thanks guys. I called the dealer and they took my vin over the phone and ordered the parts...They seemed to know of the situation.

There goes my velcro solution..

 

[1QUICKV]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

both of mine feel down, but i fix it. behine the abs plastic clip is a 7mm bolt and the plactic broke.... so i filled where it broke with a special body shop filler and replace them... good to hear that because i was thinking that the owner before me had got in to a crash and the air bags broke it.....

 

[diverdan]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

I was reinstalling my sail panels after putting a Sirius receiver and found that the plastic clip on the driver's door panel looked like it was disintegrating. There was enough of a lip to enable me to snug it down, but I can see that I will be needing to replace it sooner or later. It's good to know this is a documented issue.

 

[Flyboy]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

I think every CTS-V has had them replaced under warranty...I did also.

 

[RobertCTS]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

FYI, over in the CTS Forum a number of guys have had the same problem. One of the causes is driving with the windows down at higher speed. The wind will often pop them loose or break.

 

[ctsvett]

Re: Driver side rear / interior sail panel

they are made to break away because there are air bags under there... someone didnt think through the "windows down" scenario however...

Known issue... The dealers can fix it without getting new ones, btw... There is a plastic adhesive and clip that can be used. Now its sturdier than before for me (and I dont sit in the back).

Reed

 

[kirchbed]

sail panel fix?

So I had a passenger side sail panel failure at V-Day III. It was the last thing I expected would break that day, but all things given hardly a bad break. However, Lindsay quoted me something north of $225 to replace it. Not knocking Lindsay - they have been great to me - but it is what it is and that's an expensive piece of plastic to replace for simple cracked plastic bracket. Would rather buy 2/3 of a Hendrix axle with the $!!!.
Anyway, I've seen a couple of mentions of sail panel cover failures on the forum as of late. Any suggestions on a best fix? Mine is not deformed, but just kind of loose now.

Also, opinions on a mail order tune? W4M? Others?

Danke.

 

[darkman]

On the sail panel issue I don't know the answer and do not have the problem yet - but I would like to know how to prevent it.

On the Wait4me tune I will repeat what I have said before - mine made horsepower, improved gas mileage, and did not cost much money. It also included a spare ECM so I can protect the tune from tampering by repair shops/dealership by swapping the ECM back and forth.

 

[Kmajecki]

When mine broke the bolt/screw more or less pulled through the plastic and cracked thepanel. I simply got a large metal washer and glued it on the part of the panel the screw goes though. Worked great for over a year now. May work for you depending on how it broke. Kinda hard to explain but once you're in there it should make sense

 

[nikon]

^^^ that's all I did, worked like a charm

 

[kirchbed]

Yeah, regarding the tune, your commentary has been consistent.

On the sail panel(s), keep your windows closed at track events(?). Honestly, I had a least one rear window open during one run. I didn't notice the panel until the end of the day, but I'm sure that (and 125mph) was the cause.

 

[kirchbed]

Thanks Kmajecki & Nikon! Was thinking along the lines of sticky stuff... adhesives or velcro... hadn't even considered 'improving' the bracket!

 

[darkman]

Yeah, regarding the tune, your commentary has been consistent.

On the sail panel(s), keep your windows closed at track events(?). Honestly, I had a least one rear window open during one run. I didn't notice the panel until the end of the day, but I'm sure that (and 125mph) was the cause.

I have not made it the track yet. Aren't open windows required?