Can I Clean Under Roof Rack?

jjoh12 · Feb 21, 2003

The stupid parts dept. at the dealer installed my roof rack. The dumb mf'ers didn't clean the roof before installing it. So I'm sure the dirt is going to scratch the roof over time. They got metal shavings all over the roof and behind door seals. Probably under the rack as well.
:8:

Can I take roof rack off by taking off the top screws that hold it down?

The nuts for the screws won't fall down to the bottom of the roof and be unretrievable or something like that will they?

I don't want the dealer touching my vehicle again. They will just scratch it up more....

brmiller · Feb 21, 2003

If I were you, I would either take it back to the dealer and wage a major fuss. I guess you can take the rack off and clean it yourself, but I would make them fix it. GM is aware of the metal shaving problem, so I would ride this up the chain to get someone on your side. Do get those shavings and dirt cleaned up, though--it will cause rust as many of us can attest.

Brendan

jjoh12 · Feb 21, 2003

I'm almost scared to take it off to see what they have done to my roof with the holes they had to drill. I'm wondering if a 5 yr old with a Glock 9mm could have done better. Maybe it won't be that bad....hopefully I can Zaino around it and protect it.

nfhjr · Feb 21, 2003

The Dealer installed my roof rack then after a few months i read a post about rusting from metal under the door weather strips took it to the dealer it was cleaned up and repainted

wrchism · Feb 21, 2003

The short answer is yes . . . you can pull the roof rack, clean it up, and put it back on . . . and I wouldn't blame you for doing it - why give the dealer another chance to screw up? That said, depending on how bad things are determines your course of action - from a simple Zaino job to a repaint - hopefully it won't go that far.

Good luck.

TLB · Feb 21, 2003

I work at a Chevrolet Dealership in Michigan and i ordered the first Avalanche our dealership got.
I didn't have the roof rack installed but i made sure that the person who was installing the racks on other Avalanche's put masking tape on all door seams and also covered the truck with plastic to protect the paint from the metal chips from drilling the holes in the roof.
After the holes were drilled he put silicone sealer around them before installing the nut inserts to prevent any rust problems.
You should take it back to the dealer and have them complete the installation so you are happy.

jjoh12 · Feb 23, 2003

I cleaned up the mess. I put Zaino down and siliconed in the rubber nut mounts. It was an ass whipping. Got a little too much silicone on paint, but that is easily gotten rid of. I am much happier now.

I got rid of all the metal shavings and clay bared the entire vehicle for contaminants.

Zaino is the shiznit.

Parts dept. can kiss my rear.

jjoh12 · Feb 23, 2003

correction: Service dept can kiss my rear!