Front Fender - Chips Paint of Fascia at Forward Tip
BULLETIN NO.: 97-T-35ISSUE DATE: August, 1997
GROUP/SEQ. NO.: Body-08
CORPORATION NO.: 781506
SUBJECT:
Front Fender Chips Paint of Fascia at Forward Tip (Install Front Fender Spacer Blocks and Repair Paint Damage)
MODELS AFFECTED:
1997 Saturn Coupes built before and including VIN VZ231504
CONDITION:
Some customers may comment that paint appears to be chipped on fascia, beneath forward most tip of front fender.
CAUSE:
High ambient temperatures in combination with direct sunlight cause thermal growth of fender and fascia, resulting in interference condition at the forward most tip of front fender. This causes the thermoplastic olefin (TPO) beneath the paint to yield, giving the appearance of a paint chip. Some fenders may also have a clearcoat drip at the forward tip, which increases and localizes the interference between the fender and fascia.
CORRECTION:
Trim ribs from fascia and/or remove fender clearcoat drip (if present). Install urethane spacer block inside forward tip of front fender using the following procedure and repair paint damage as necessary.
PROCEDURES
1. Remove front fascia. (Refer to "Front Fascia" removal procedure in the "Front End" section of the "Body/Repair Service Manual.")
2. Check front fascia for ribs.
^ If ribs are present:
NOTICE:
To prevent gouging the fascia, lay a razor blade or feeler gage along side the rib to be removed to provide a surface for the razor blade to ride on while cutting rib off.
a. Use a razor knife to remove ribs on fascia to make rib areas flush with adjacent surface. (Ribs will not be on later built vehicles.)
b. Sand rib area flush with adjacent surface.
c. Repair paint on fascia as necessary.
d. Proceed to next step.
^ If ribs are not present, proceed to next step.
3. Check front nose of fender for paint drip.
^ If paint drip is present at front nose of fender, remove paint drip using a fine file or emory board. After removing paint drip, proceed to next step.
^ If paint drip is not present at front nose of fender, proceed to next step.
IMPORTANT:
Urethane spacer blocks are color coded. Right side urethane spacer block is "black" (P/N 21110250), left side urethane spacer block is "brown" (P/N 21110251). The stepped side of the urethane block is the side that contacts the fascia.
4. Install urethane spacer blocks to underside of front nose of fender.
^ If vehicle was built after and including VIN VZ206245, fenders have a molded tab to retain the urethane spacer block.
a. Install urethane spacer block to inside of front nose of fender.
b. Proceed to step 6.
^ If vehicle was built before and including VIN VZ206244, urethane spacer blocks must be glued in place.
a. Position urethane spacer block in the front nose of the fender and mark the position where the forward step/portion of the block is 1.5 mm (1/16 in.) below the lower outboard edge of the fender.
b. Remove the urethane spacer block and apply Loctite(R) Quick Tite Super Glue Gel (P/N 21602, 2 gram tube), or equivalent instant adhesive designed for porous surfaces.
c. Install the urethane spacer block into front nose of fender, aligning the mark made in step 4a with edge of fender.
5. If necessary, trim urethane spacer block using a fine file to adjust fender to fascia gap.
6. Install front fascia. (Refer to "Front Fascia" installation procedure in the "Front End" section of the "Body/Repair Service Manual.")
PARTS REQUIREMENTS:
21110250 Block-Urethane Spacer (Right Side Black Spacer)
21110251 Block-Urethane Spacer (Left Side Brown Spacer)
CLAIM INFORMATION:
To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System as shown.