CBD radiator cover

[budoboy]

Sorry if this post is a downer but I thought people should know what they are getting into.

I bought one of these a few months ago after my wife saw a picture of one online and liked the way they looked. I bought one, followed the directions to the letter but since the holes for the hood adjusters were a little off my install was crooked. I tried pulling it up but I had already used the 3M tape (as per directions) and it cracked at the skinny part by the hood latch opening (In retrospect I should have been more careful).

I just left it where it was and contemplated whether to replace it. What helped me make up my decision is when someone noticed the crack. Also my wife looked at the cut out for the hood latch and asked if I had done it myself (it looked like it had been cut freehand).

Anyways CBD was cool when I explained that I followed their directions and had the problem I did. They told me they would send me another one at cost and I could keep the cracked one to do whatever I wanted with (I ended up selling it and recouping some of the cost of the replacement).

I told CBD that I wasn't impressed with the cut on the last cover and wanted them to sell me one that looked a little more squared away. I was told they would talk to their guys who cut them.

I received the replacement one and installed it at perfectly as the piece would allow. Unfortunately one side still sticks up and the cut on the long straight portion of the cover (along the engine side) is somewhat wavy (as much as a 1/4" variation from straight. I showed it to some at work and they asked if I had cut it myself.

Long story short don't expect these pieces to fit perfectly and if the color of your car isn't black (mine is Torred) the lack of precision is obvious except at a quick glance.

I also bought the strut tower covers and had no problems with them. I realize it is hard to make parts like these and I appreciate that someone offers something like this. I think a little more quality control is in order though to justify the expense and to ensure people who show their cars get a show-quality product.

Jeff

[BOSChargerRT]

jeff - sorry to hear that, i had the same issue, but fixed it the best i could...my issue was that the same back wasn't straight and the holes for the bumpers was to small and to close inwards...i tried everything to get the bump stops in, but was unsuccessfull...so i cut a 1/4 of the backside from the hole to allow the bump stop to twist down and sand it down...the issue w/ the 2 holes were to close to the center, so it pulled up both sides from center lock to ends...i showed ChargerDad and he noticed it, after i pointed it out...the fuse box cover was fine, but the valve covers were not...all the holes to screw down the valve covers, were all to one side and high...i wasnt able to line up the mounting point or get the screws to go all the way down w/out hitting the covers...i ended up drilling new holes beside all and it worked out for me...i never called them to complain, but i was to busy trying to get the decklid on...i don't like the cut on the radiator cover, but i guess i can live w/ it...i may try sanding it down, to make a straight line across...take care - jimmy

[budoboy]

Thanks for the reply Jimmy. I also had to use a dremel tool to put the hood adjuster holes where I needed them. No big deal except you find out the holes aren't lining up after you glue the thing down:knockout:

Jeff

[FreebirdSRT]

Thanks for the reply Jimmy. I also had to use a dremel tool to put the hood adjuster holes where I needed them. No big deal except you find out the holes aren't lining up after you glue the thing down:knockout:

Jeff

Hey Jeff I know it can be frustrating when these things happen. With a piece like this, even before you start to read the install instructions. Set the piece in and try to mock up the fitment before you peel back the 3M to stick it. Hopefully this will help you with the bump stop holes.

Since I am not leaving my CBD radiator cover in the carbon fiber finish, I am painting mine. I was able to drill out the hood bump stop holes a bit and clean up the awful lines in the middle of the cover, near the hood latch cut out. Mine looked as though a 6 year old cut the lines when I got it from CBD.

I feel bad for the owners leaving it in carbon fiber finish. Almost impossible to sand the lines smooth without scratching the CF surface. I can cover mine when I go to paint it.

[BOSChargerRT]

to sand the edge, just tape the straight line, then sand it down w/ a 1000 grade paper and clean it up w/ a 2000 grade...when i do mine, i'll let you know how it turns out...take care - jimmy

[carbonbydesign.com]

Charger Owners,
Thank you all for the feedback! We don't get fitment feedback often enough. This is getting dealt with once and for all today. I had no idea they were getting out of here with a wavy edge... As far as the holes for the bump stops, they are made small here, so that when you recieve them you have material left to make sure they line up right without ending up with huge holes in it. The valve cover issue was addressed this morning and all future valve covers will have the holes offset towards the center a little bit more.

Rob Smith
(760)643-1300
www.carbonbydesign.com

[FreebirdSRT]

[quote=carbonbydesign.com;671251]Charger Owners,
Thank you all for the feedback! We don't get fitment feedback often enough. Your welcome, I would have given it out earlier had I known this many owners were getting the same messed up pieces. I didn't say anything when I got mine as I was going to paint it in Detonator Yellow. I was going to repair the uneven cut lines and drill out the bump stop holes with the mock up, before painting it. But for the owners keeping theres in the CF finish, your making it hard for them to simply plug and play this install, without having to do a lot of work to it first.

This is getting dealt with once and for all today.
It def. needs to be looked into.

I had no idea they were getting out of here with a wavy edge...
I hate to say it but you need a better Quality Control Inspection, before your products go out. I am a Custom Home Builder and I can't afford wavy walls in the home. My framers may not like me, but I personally inspect each wall in every home. I have them make them true and straight, even removing warped studs and replacing them with straighter studs, before insulation and sheet rock goes on.

As far as the holes for the bump stops, they are made small here, so that when you recieve them you have material left to make sure they line up right without ending up with huge holes in it.
That is great that you do that. But you need to put that in the install instructions, in bold letters. So owners do not stick the piece down first and making it almost impossible to drill out the holes bigger.

The valve cover issue was addressed this morning and all future valve covers will have the holes offset towards the center a little bit more.
That is all fine and well. But what about all the owners that have already received any of your pieces with fitment issues or poor quality (i.e. uneven lines on there radiator cover)?


Rob Smith
(760)643-1300
www.carbonbydesign.com (http://www.carbonbydesign.com)

[carbonbydesign.com]

On the radiator cover when you say the line is wavy, I went up stairs yesterday and pulled all of them off the shelf and rejected them. They will be checked very closely from now on. The 6.1 Covers do fit as we ship now, and for the ones that already shipped it is a small matter of ovaling the hole slightly in order to make it adjustable. As with all of our products, if a customer calls us and has a problem we will do everything we can do help resolve the problem.
Infact, if you don't want to call on your dime, you can PM me and send your number and I will call you back. For us it is not about flooding the market with junk, it is about getting quality product out for the LX platform and then providing the community with the support it needs.
We have always maintained that if you call us with a problem, we will try to resolve it over the phone, and if there is a fitment issue with the piece we will replace it. As John here has said time and time again, call us or we can't help you!

Rob Smith
(760)643-1300
www.carbonbydesign.com

[carbonbydesign.com]

Today a customer called me and clarified the problem with the wavy edge. There was a misunderstanding about what edge was not straight on my part, but that is resolved. We inspected the mold, and no surprise, the mold was not perfectly straight.
The mold has been pulled from production for repairs, and retooling. I will announce when it is finished and ready for production again. If your Radiator shroud was one of the pieces that does not fit correctly it can be fixed by removing it from the car and block sanding the edge straight.

Rob Smith
(760)643-1300
www.carbonbydesign.com
rsmith@carbonbydesign.com

[charginscott]

Budoboy - thanx for the cover - I went out today and test fit it. I love the carbon fiber look and want to keep it.I see all the issues you had with the cover and it is really exasterbated :confused: by the Silver Steel color of my car.Budoboy - I know what ya mean about the carbon fiber - awesome in the sun.

Carbon By Design how can I get a mounting kit (tape) to mount my new - old - cover?


Scott

[carbonbydesign.com]

The mold is done being repaired and is back in action ready for production, so for those who had them on order, the short delay is over. Thank you.

Rob Smith
(760)643-1300
www.carbonbydesign.com

[bremo76]

The mold is still jacked up. The bump stops are not lined up. I bought this because you said everything was fixed. It is not and I am not satisfied. If you are going to be a supporting vendor and post on this forum that everything is good to go when it is not, well then you should not be allowed to be a supporting vendor or allowed on here. I will be calling today.
Brian

[charginscott]

Brian - maybe they accidently sent an old one to ya. I agree the old ones were bad but that could be corrected. I believe they said they keep the bump stop holes smalled in diameter for adjustment purposes.

Scott

[FreebirdSRT]

Since I was going to paint my CBD radiator cover, I could make the changes from the mold issue.

I smoothed out the edge near the hood latch. Yes, the bump stop holes do not line up at all, not even close. We had to drill out the holes a bit bigger to get them to line up.

Now that the radiator cover is painted and finished. Here it is installed.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/MoparMadness/DSC02203_edited.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e265/MoparMadness/DSC02224_edited.jpg

I put alot of work into this piece getting it to look right. I am not running daily with the radiator piece installed. Don't want to chance the hood rubbing it while driving and screw up the paint finish. I am only keeping the radiator piece installed for car shows, M&G's, etc.

[FreebirdSRT]

Brian - maybe they accidently sent an old one to ya. I agree the old ones were bad but that could be corrected. I believe they said they keep the bump stop holes smalled in diameter for adjustment purposes.

Scott

You are correct Scott. Making the adjustments was easy and I could get the perfect fit by making the adjustment myself. I would rather do it that way then they send one with holes too big and not look right.

[charginscott]

I put alot of work into this piece getting it to look right. I am not running daily with the radiator piece installed. Don't want to chance the hood rubbing it while driving and screw up the paint finish. I am only keeping the radiator piece installed for car shows, M&G's, etc.[/QUOTE]

That does look good Mark - I know mine rubs in 2 places and is raised at the edge of the facia.

Scott

[FreebirdSRT]

I put alot of work into this piece getting it to look right. I am not running daily with the radiator piece installed. Don't want to chance the hood rubbing it while driving and screw up the paint finish. I am only keeping the radiator piece installed for car shows, M&G's, etc.

That does look good Mark - I know mine rubs in 2 places and is raised at the edge of the facia.

Scott[/quote]

Did you find 3M tape to better install it after buying from another member? If not, I have plenty of that tape and we can try to re-install yours to hopefully fit better and not rub.

With painting mine I am not even going to chance it with installing it with the tape.

[charginscott]

They did send me some tape .. it looked like what came with a new one ... I don`t know if I want it permantly mounted...It was like a clear stretchy type tape... not like they have for the fuse box cover...

I think I am going to call them on the strut covers - YUKKY fit

Scott

[FreebirdSRT]

[quote=charginscott;892058]They did send me some tape .. it looked like what came with a new one ... I don`t know if I want it permantly mounted...It was like a clear stretchy type tape... not like they have for the fuse box cover...The clear tape is the wrong kind to use. You need the gray 3M tape. You are probably rubbing because it is not taped down. But if you are keeping it in the trunk and pulling it out for shows, it should be fine.

I think I am going to call them on the strut covers - YUKKY fit
You should go with the BT strut covers. I love the look of metal and you can get the main strut cover engraved.

Scott

PS What camera are you using. I was looking at your pics from the Dallas M&G and they came out awesome.

[charginscott]

I have been keeping on the car incase someone in town want to look under the hood .The tape they use on the fuse box is the black 3m. Strut covers are put on with VELCRO WTF ????????????
I was going to get a strut bar from a member here but funds are to low, and was thinking about modifying them.The BT covers are awesome, looking to get some BT stuff soon.

I have a Kodak Easyshare DX7630 - it`s 6.1 mp. I just need to figure out how to take pics in low light with it.

Scott

[bremo76]

this is supposed to be an out of the box add on. Not a you fix the mistakes on the mold piece. That is what is advertized, but not what I received or what sounds like other received.

[charginscott]

Brian - just courious - how did the call go?

Scott

[carbonbydesign.com]

As a follow up on this, I know it has gone un-replied to for a long time.

I really need some pictures on whats wrong with the Radiator covers that are going out. I have personally fitted 6 of them on cars, and have not had any trouble installing them. In order for me to understand the problem I need to see what it is.

As far as your strut covers that do not fit well. This is, again, a case where I need to see whats wrong in order to make the change, as we have sold hundreds of sets, and this is the first time I have heard about a fitment issue. Perhaps you just got a bad set, and that could be resolved if you give me a call.

Rob Smith
(760)643-1300
www.carbonbydesign.com

[DeanoBee]

I installed mine this evening without any problems. The hood did not want to close at first but tightening the rubber grommets fixed that problem.

Rob/John....still waiting for my 4 "legs" so I can install my engine cover!