Panel #3 sagging and holding water

[lizzard]

Has anyone had panel #3 sag at the aft center against the tailgate. When it rains this is a low spot and holds water.
I have never put anything heavy on top of the panels that would cause it to sag. Should I put something under it to prop it up? or should this be covered by Chevy?

 

[dichris]

I have walked on my panels and have had very little warping here!
I'm less than the rate 250# but more than 210#.. Thus I would take it back to the dealer, but he may not help!!!

Wonder, if someone during the night is Jumping on it!

dichris

 

[docopharm]

Have been a lot of folks w/ saggy 3rd panel. Some have had the dealer replace theirs. Mine sags a little but not enough for me to worry about yet - doesn't collect water.

Thread on that here:
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=15;action=display;threadid=4315

 

[Silverado58k]

? ? ?Has anyone had panel #3 sag at the aft center against the tailgate. When it rains this is a low spot and holds water.
? ? ?I have never put anything heavy on top of the panels that would cause it to sag. Should I put something under it ?to prop it up? or should this be covered by Chevy?

My #3 panel sags on my 05 in the middle. It is 2 weeks old. I've taken it back to dealer to see if they'll replace it. I believe the panels are mounted upside down at the factory. I have looked at alot of 05's. The crown on some are a little up and some a little down. I believe this is happening at the factory. If the 1/4 " drop were turned up when the panel was made , that would be perfect. Anyone else agree?

 

[DougD]

      Has anyone had panel #3 sag at the aft center against the tailgate. When it rains this is a low spot and holds water.
      I have never put anything heavy on top of the panels that would cause it to sag. Should I put something under it  to prop it up? or should this be covered by Chevy?

My #3 panel sags on my 05 in the middle. It is 2 weeks old. I've taken it back to dealer to see if they'll replace it. I believe the panels are mounted upside down at the factory. I have looked at alot of 05's. The crown on some are a little up and some a little down. I believe this is happening at the factory. If the 1/4 " drop were turned up when the panel was made , that would be perfect. Anyone else agree?

No.

There's no way to mount it "upside-down", even if you're merely referring to the outer skin before the panel is assembled.  The panel ID # is cast in that skin, so the right-side out is always present.

 

[scouch125]

Good point! I am having the same problem with my '04... Noticed it from the dealership, but I haven't had problems with holding water until recently! I believe they should fix the problem, but who knows!

 

[ChevyThunder]

lizzard,

The panels on your 02 have been superceded by a different panel and part number. If you take it in to the dealer they should find this fairly easy. I had the exact same problem on my 2002 and the dealer replaced ALL of my panels with the new ones.

Hope  this helps.

CT.

 

[MurmanZ71]

My third panel sagged and was replaced by the dealership on my 2002 AV.  Then the others were relpaced due to their use of an improper cleaner to remove bird droppings prior to the sale...

Murman

 

[Silverado58k]

? ? ? Has anyone had panel #3 sag at the aft center against the tailgate. When it rains this is a low spot and holds water.
? ? ? I have never put anything heavy on top of the panels that would cause it to sag. Should I put something under it? to prop it up? or should this be covered by Chevy?

My #3 panel sags on my 05 in the middle. It is 2 weeks old. I've taken it back to dealer to see if they'll replace it. I believe the panels are mounted upside down at the factory. I have looked at alot of 05's. The crown on some are a little up and some a little down. I believe this is happening at the factory. If the 1/4 " drop were turned up when the panel was made , that would be perfect. Anyone else agree?

No.

There's no way to mount it "upside-down", even if you're merely referring to the outer skin before the panel is assembled.? The panel ID # is cast in that skin, so the right-side out is always present.

So if there's no way the panel can be manufactured upside down, why do so many panels sag down instead of an upward arch? By the way, the dealership is ordering me a new #3 panel. I'll let you guys know if its crowned up, down or level.

 

[ygmn]

Make sure you use a straight edge to check for a crown....

the tailgate is not a good straight edge as it bows up in the center to give the impression the #3 panel bows down......kinda an optical illusion....

most panels are pretty much straight....so they fit in bag better....

remove panel and then eyeball the top edge....

I just put mine back on....and was checking all 3 out....and mine are pretty much flat....very slight bow upward in center....but nothing major

 

[Silverado58k]

Make sure you use a straight edge to check for a crown....

the tailgate is not a good straight edge as it bows up in the center to give the impression the #3 panel bows down......kinda an optical illusion....

most panels are pretty much straight....so they fit in bag better....

remove panel and then eyeball the top edge....

I just put mine back on....and was checking all 3 out....and mine are pretty much flat....very slight bow upward in center....but nothing major

The upward bow is perfect. My #3 panel is bowed down in the middle. With the slight arch in the tailgate, it gives the appearance to be worse than it is. I put a straight edge on the back of my #3 panel and it is about 7/16" bowded down. The AV is brand new, never climbed on. The dealership is replacing the #3 panel. I'll bet they have replaced a lot of them since this seems to be a relatively consistent problem!