Dumb Car Question

hamburglar · 01-18-2011, 12:16 PM

So I know nothing about cars outside of how to drive them without hitting things. I even drove a Prius for several years, which means that you start your vehicle by pushing a button. Basically I'm clueless about anything automotive, and hopefully that absolves me of the following stupidity.

The front left wheel basin was somehow knocked off of my car without any other damage while I was driving on the GSP about three months ago. This in and of itself suggests lemony craftsmanship. I go to the dealer and then pay like 300$ for a piece of not even that hard plastic and seven gromits. Two weeks later the same piece detaches, also while driving, and also with no obvious reason or other damage. The dealership wants to charge me for the repair again, but they can go $%^ themselves. The can go %^# themselves to such an extent that I will basically never go there again unless my car is set to literally explode.

So I ask - wtf am I doing wrong that this keeps happening to my car, and secondarily, would a body shop be able to get that part/do the repair for me and tertiarily, would they do a better job than the POS dealer did?

32green · 01-18-2011, 12:21 PM

As you are texting, do you often hear a loud bumbity bumpity bump sound right before your grommets disattach?

:dunno:

-

McKnight25 · 01-18-2011, 12:22 PM

What's a wheel basin? :dunno:

All I know is that when my car needs new tires, I get a new car.

Peebag · 01-18-2011, 12:28 PM

What make -model is this auto?

hamburglar · 01-18-2011, 12:39 PM

[QUOTE=Peebag;3922695]What make -model is this auto?[/QUOTE]

06 Matrix. It is identical in most parts to a Corolla.

Fishooked · 01-18-2011, 12:40 PM

[QUOTE=McKnight25;3922682]What's a wheel basin? :dunno:

All I know is that when my car needs new tires, I get a new car.[/QUOTE]

Exaclty. wtf?

I am assuming you mean the wheel well and the part that keeps coming off is a fender flare or something?

Btw its grommet , not [IMG]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ5Jo5kBYWmgwkD6OYtZU-d-o9MaedvkjYMyHBNGSW_raYXkgI[/IMG]

:P

hamburglar · 01-18-2011, 12:53 PM

[QUOTE=Fishooked;3922729]Exaclty. wtf?

I am assuming you mean the wheel well and the part that keeps coming off is a fender flare or something?

Btw its grommet , not [IMG]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ5Jo5kBYWmgwkD6OYtZU-d-o9MaedvkjYMyHBNGSW_raYXkgI[/IMG]

:P[/QUOTE]

I fly British Air because of W+G reruns.

I probably do mean wheel well. Its the bit of plastic that divides the wheel area from all of the important stuff in the front of the car. The bit of plastic that is molded to conform to the wheel keeps on flying off, and none of the surrounding plastic is loose or damaged.

32green · 01-18-2011, 12:59 PM

[QUOTE=hamburglar;3922769]I The bit of plastic that is molded to conform to the wheel keeps on flying off, and none of the surrounding plastic is loose or damaged.[/QUOTE]

Does this coincide with you putting syrup on your McGriddles?

Methinks you are leaving out a precipitating course of action.

hamburglar · 01-18-2011, 01:14 PM

[QUOTE=32green;3922784]Does this coincide with you putting syrup on your McGriddles?

Methinks you are leaving out a precipitating course of action.[/QUOTE]

McGriddle /=/ Hamburger. McGriddles are frankly disgusting. There is a reason that you go to jail for stealing hamburgers and not for stealing mcgriddles.

JStokes · 01-18-2011, 01:15 PM

Have you had the Sanflanges tightened at the prescribed times set forth in your Maintenance Manual?

If not, it's your fault.

_

32green · 01-18-2011, 01:30 PM

[QUOTE=JStokes;3922826]Have you had the Sanflanges tightened at the prescribed times set forth in your Maintenance Manual?

If not, it's your fault.

_[/QUOTE]

Sounds like this guy would have the self tightening Sanflanges, and I'm a pretty good judge of character.

I think we're dealing with attention-deficit, micro-swervation syndrome.

He thinks he's watching the road...and ten guys behind him are furiously dialing 911 as their cars are enveloped in dust, leaves and gravel.

He gets home and goes

"whu....look at my grommets and wheel basin. This car sucks"

-

PlumberKhan · 01-18-2011, 01:33 PM

[QUOTE=hamburglar;3922663]So I know nothing about cars outside of how to drive them without hitting things. I even drove a Prius for several years, which means that you start your vehicle by pushing a button. Basically I'm clueless about anything automotive, and hopefully that absolves me of the following stupidity.

The front left wheel basin was somehow knocked off of my car without any other damage while I was driving on the GSP about three months ago. This in and of itself suggests lemony craftsmanship. I go to the dealer and then pay like 300$ for a piece of not even that hard plastic and seven gromits. Two weeks later the same piece detaches, also while driving, and also with no obvious reason or other damage. The dealership wants to charge me for the repair again, but they can go $%^ themselves. The can go %^# themselves to such an extent that I will basically never go there again unless my car is set to literally explode.

So I ask - wtf am I doing wrong that this keeps happening to my car, and secondarily, would a body shop be able to get that part/do the repair for me and tertiarily, would they do a better job than the POS dealer did?[/QUOTE]

How much snow have you gotten where you live, silly?

Fishooked · 01-18-2011, 01:38 PM

[QUOTE=JStokes;3922826]Have you had the Sanflanges tightened at the prescribed times set forth in your Maintenance Manual?

If not, it's your fault.

_[/QUOTE]

If not that, the only other thing I can think of is the UV bolts could be loose, that always results in excess cavitation.

Apache 51 · 01-18-2011, 01:41 PM

I'm guessing you are talking about the, what is referred to as a Wheel Liner in the industry, the black plastic piece that fits under the front fenders, or rear 1/4's. If the piece fell off in a reasonable amount of time go right to the Service Manager or Director, not a Service Advisor, calmly explain. They should take care of it, unless you front end shows damage or something. Body shop is going to get the same part, in most cases, from the dealer and fix accordingly. Maybe you have an issue within the wheel well itself? Body shop guys and mechanics are both as good as their reputations. Good Luck.

PlumberKhan · 01-18-2011, 01:44 PM

It's the snow, you freaks. His "Matrix" is 2.5" off the ground. He lost it on the GSP. Northern Jersey has gotten over 2 feet of snow during the past month.

Hmmmm. Car 2.5" off the ground, 24" of snow. Let's call Horatio Cane to sort this out....

Fishooked · 01-18-2011, 01:46 PM

[QUOTE=Apache 51;3922880]I'm guessing you are talking about the, what is referred to as a Wheel Liner in the industry, the black plastic piece that fits under the front fenders, or rear 1/4's. If the piece fell off in a reasonable amount of time go right to the Service Manager or Director, not a Service Advisor, calmly explain. They should take care of it, unless you front end shows damage or something. Body shop is going to get the same part, in most cases, from the dealer and fix accordingly. Maybe you have an issue within the wheel well itself? Body shop guys and mechanics are both as good as their reputations. Good Luck.[/QUOTE]

killjoy

JStokes · 01-18-2011, 01:46 PM

[QUOTE=PlumberKhan;3922889]It's the snow, you freaks. His "Matrix" is 2.5" off the ground. He lost it on the GSP. Northern Jersey has gotten over 2 feet of snow during the past month.

Hmmmm. Car 2.5" off the ground, 24" of snow. Let's call Horatio Cane to sort this out....[/QUOTE]

We have a plow.

_

PlumberKhan · 01-18-2011, 01:55 PM

[QUOTE=JStokes;3922899]We have a plow.

_[/QUOTE]

LMAO!!

jetswin · 01-18-2011, 02:12 PM

[IMG]http://www.gifsoup.com/view/451088/two-camels-in-a-tiny-car-o.gif[/IMG]

never mind the gromulet basin, stop letting the camels drive!

Fishooked · 01-18-2011, 02:17 PM

[QUOTE=jetswin;3922976][IMG]http://www.gifsoup.com/view/451088/two-camels-in-a-tiny-car-o.gif[/IMG]

never mind the gromulet basin, stop letting the camels drive![/QUOTE]

The price of gromulets is really out of control lately....ever since they started using that Zinc oxximmium coating....skyrocketing...

01-18-2011, 12:16 PM	#1
hamburglar All Pro Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,292	Dumb Car Question So I know nothing about cars outside of how to drive them without hitting things. I even drove a Prius for several years, which means that you start your vehicle by pushing a button. Basically I'm clueless about anything automotive, and hopefully that absolves me of the following stupidity. The front left wheel basin was somehow knocked off of my car without any other damage while I was driving on the GSP about three months ago. This in and of itself suggests lemony craftsmanship. I go to the dealer and then pay like 300$ for a piece of not even that hard plastic and seven gromits. Two weeks later the same piece detaches, also while driving, and also with no obvious reason or other damage. The dealership wants to charge me for the repair again, but they can go $%^ themselves. The can go %^# themselves to such an extent that I will basically never go there again unless my car is set to literally explode. So I ask - wtf am I doing wrong that this keeps happening to my car, and secondarily, would a body shop be able to get that part/do the repair for me and tertiarily, would they do a better job than the POS dealer did?

01-18-2011, 12:21 PM	#2
32green neerg23 Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The depths of Despair. Posts: 37,714	As you are texting, do you often hear a loud bumbity bumpity bump sound right before your grommets disattach? :dunno: -

01-18-2011, 12:22 PM	#3
McKnight25 Banned Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 857	What's a wheel basin? :dunno: All I know is that when my car needs new tires, I get a new car.

01-18-2011, 12:28 PM	#4
Peebag ga;sdl;fja;;sdfj All Pro Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: great midwest -well not so great Posts: 7,185	What make -model is this auto?

01-18-2011, 12:39 PM	#5
hamburglar All Pro Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,292	[QUOTE=Peebag;3922695]What make -model is this auto?[/QUOTE] 06 Matrix. It is identical in most parts to a Corolla.

01-18-2011, 12:40 PM	#6
Fishooked dealin' out shithands Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: teh interwebz Posts: 24,905	[QUOTE=McKnight25;3922682]What's a wheel basin? :dunno: All I know is that when my car needs new tires, I get a new car.[/QUOTE] Exaclty. wtf? I am assuming you mean the wheel well and the part that keeps coming off is a fender flare or something? Btw its grommet , not [IMG]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ5Jo5kBYWmgwkD6OYtZU-d-o9MaedvkjYMyHBNGSW_raYXkgI[/IMG] :P

01-18-2011, 12:53 PM	#7
hamburglar All Pro Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,292	[QUOTE=Fishooked;3922729]Exaclty. wtf? I am assuming you mean the wheel well and the part that keeps coming off is a fender flare or something? Btw its grommet , not [IMG]http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ5Jo5kBYWmgwkD6OYtZU-d-o9MaedvkjYMyHBNGSW_raYXkgI[/IMG] :P[/QUOTE] I fly British Air because of W+G reruns. I probably do mean wheel well. Its the bit of plastic that divides the wheel area from all of the important stuff in the front of the car. The bit of plastic that is molded to conform to the wheel keeps on flying off, and none of the surrounding plastic is loose or damaged.

01-18-2011, 12:59 PM	#8
32green neerg23 Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The depths of Despair. Posts: 37,714	[QUOTE=hamburglar;3922769]I The bit of plastic that is molded to conform to the wheel keeps on flying off, and none of the surrounding plastic is loose or damaged.[/QUOTE] Does this coincide with you putting syrup on your McGriddles? Methinks you are leaving out a precipitating course of action.

01-18-2011, 01:14 PM	#9
hamburglar All Pro Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,292	[QUOTE=32green;3922784]Does this coincide with you putting syrup on your McGriddles? Methinks you are leaving out a precipitating course of action.[/QUOTE] McGriddle /=/ Hamburger. McGriddles are frankly disgusting. There is a reason that you go to jail for stealing hamburgers and not for stealing mcgriddles.

01-18-2011, 01:15 PM	#10
JStokes Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 20,126	Have you had the Sanflanges tightened at the prescribed times set forth in your Maintenance Manual? If not, it's your fault. _

01-18-2011, 01:30 PM	#11
32green neerg23 Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP JetsInsider.com Legend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The depths of Despair. Posts: 37,714	[QUOTE=JStokes;3922826]Have you had the Sanflanges tightened at the prescribed times set forth in your Maintenance Manual? If not, it's your fault. _[/QUOTE] Sounds like this guy would have the self tightening Sanflanges, and I'm a pretty good judge of character. I think we're dealing with attention-deficit, micro-swervation syndrome. He thinks he's watching the road...and ten guys behind him are furiously dialing 911 as their cars are enveloped in dust, leaves and gravel. He gets home and goes "whu....look at my grommets and wheel basin. This car sucks" -

01-18-2011, 01:33 PM	#12
PlumberKhan HAIL SATAN! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Van down by the river Posts: 21,080	[QUOTE=hamburglar;3922663]So I know nothing about cars outside of how to drive them without hitting things. I even drove a Prius for several years, which means that you start your vehicle by pushing a button. Basically I'm clueless about anything automotive, and hopefully that absolves me of the following stupidity. The front left wheel basin was somehow knocked off of my car without any other damage while I was driving on the GSP about three months ago. This in and of itself suggests lemony craftsmanship. I go to the dealer and then pay like 300$ for a piece of not even that hard plastic and seven gromits. Two weeks later the same piece detaches, also while driving, and also with no obvious reason or other damage. The dealership wants to charge me for the repair again, but they can go $%^ themselves. The can go %^# themselves to such an extent that I will basically never go there again unless my car is set to literally explode. So I ask - wtf am I doing wrong that this keeps happening to my car, and secondarily, would a body shop be able to get that part/do the repair for me and tertiarily, would they do a better job than the POS dealer did?[/QUOTE] How much snow have you gotten where you live, silly?

01-18-2011, 01:38 PM	#13
Fishooked dealin' out shithands Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: teh interwebz Posts: 24,905	[QUOTE=JStokes;3922826]Have you had the Sanflanges tightened at the prescribed times set forth in your Maintenance Manual? If not, it's your fault. _[/QUOTE] If not that, the only other thing I can think of is the UV bolts could be loose, that always results in excess cavitation.

01-18-2011, 01:41 PM	#14
Apache 51 Let's Kill them all......... Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2009 Location: In Morris Co.,N.J.,at the right end of a Browning 12 gauge Posts: 12,821	I'm guessing you are talking about the, what is referred to as a Wheel Liner in the industry, the black plastic piece that fits under the front fenders, or rear 1/4's. If the piece fell off in a reasonable amount of time go right to the Service Manager or Director, not a Service Advisor, calmly explain. They should take care of it, unless you front end shows damage or something. Body shop is going to get the same part, in most cases, from the dealer and fix accordingly. Maybe you have an issue within the wheel well itself? Body shop guys and mechanics are both as good as their reputations. Good Luck.

01-18-2011, 01:44 PM	#15
PlumberKhan HAIL SATAN! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Van down by the river Posts: 21,080	It's the snow, you freaks. His "Matrix" is 2.5" off the ground. He lost it on the GSP. Northern Jersey has gotten over 2 feet of snow during the past month. Hmmmm. Car 2.5" off the ground, 24" of snow. Let's call Horatio Cane to sort this out....

01-18-2011, 01:46 PM	#16
Fishooked dealin' out shithands Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: teh interwebz Posts: 24,905	[QUOTE=Apache 51;3922880]I'm guessing you are talking about the, what is referred to as a Wheel Liner in the industry, the black plastic piece that fits under the front fenders, or rear 1/4's. If the piece fell off in a reasonable amount of time go right to the Service Manager or Director, not a Service Advisor, calmly explain. They should take care of it, unless you front end shows damage or something. Body shop is going to get the same part, in most cases, from the dealer and fix accordingly. Maybe you have an issue within the wheel well itself? Body shop guys and mechanics are both as good as their reputations. Good Luck.[/QUOTE] killjoy

01-18-2011, 01:55 PM	#18
PlumberKhan HAIL SATAN! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Van down by the river Posts: 21,080	[QUOTE=JStokes;3922899]We have a plow. _[/QUOTE] LMAO!!

01-18-2011, 02:12 PM	#19
jetswin stumblin mumblin butt fumblin Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP JetsInsider.com Legend Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Westchester Co. Posts: 35,514	[IMG]http://www.gifsoup.com/view/451088/two-camels-in-a-tiny-car-o.gif[/IMG] never mind the gromulet basin, stop letting the camels drive!

01-18-2011, 02:17 PM	#20
Fishooked dealin' out shithands Hall Of Fame Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: teh interwebz Posts: 24,905	[QUOTE=jetswin;3922976][IMG]http://www.gifsoup.com/view/451088/two-camels-in-a-tiny-car-o.gif[/IMG] never mind the gromulet basin, stop letting the camels drive![/QUOTE] The price of gromulets is really out of control lately....ever since they started using that Zinc oxximmium coating....skyrocketing...