Jmark

Have any of you had any trouble with the dealer installed "A" spec trim package?

I've had my TL for 2 months now and two trim packages installed, both installs look as though they were welfare jobs!! I'm getting POed now as 25% of the milage on my car has been incurred driving back and forth to the Acura dealer to deal with this problem.

Front and back molding do not seem to fit the lines of the car well resulting in the underlying tape pulling away from the body, leaving gaps between the trim and car body. On the first install the side modling where flapping in the wind.

On the second install of a brand new package the side modling are nice a tight, but alas they are rubbing on the bottom of the door. The front and back fit is still terrible.
After taking the car to a couple of local autobody shops I'm told that my Acura dealer doesn't know what they are doing. Of course the dealer denies this and says they have installed numerous kits that fit fine. They have sent the problem on to Acura engineering and I'm awaiting their results.

I want to be able to run my finger along the joint between the trim and car without feeling or seeing a air gap, am I asking too much ?

John

chill_dog

Yes, this has happened to others. PeterUbers did a thread about it and how he fixed his. I pointed out the problem to my dealer, and they said they'd replace the parts...I asked if they could just put new/better tape in and they said no, had to replace. I'm going to DIY as Peter did since the paint on the kit matches my car...I have 2 out of 3 that match (kit and car, bumpers don't)...that's better than some I've seen where all 3 are different.

Jmark

Thanks for the reply chill !
Hope I can find the thread you mention.
As one detailer told me, there is no way the tape will stick unless the area under it is roughed up just a bit, he said a brown paper bag would rough it up enough for the tap to stick properly. Although he also stated a factory kit should fit the lines of the car better and not require additional prep work.

John

chill_dog

Sorry for being lazy earlier...should've linked it...

HERE

Jmark

Thanks again Chill

I couldn't find the link, until you pointed it out to me.

One other point I should mention on my install. The dealer installed the full protection package which includes paint protection, before the kit install. As the kit was back ordered.
As per the installer I was talking to that paint protection must be removed before you will get any type of decent adhesion. Alcohol alone will not remove the paint protection and the tape will eventually come off.

John

rbf351

no matter what you do the rear will never line up with the lines of the body

bwilder10h

This is why I bought my kit afterwards and installed it myself. The monkey at the dealership will never take the time to do it right and take the time to make it look right like I will.

Mine looks perfect and (shhh) lines up with the body lines of the car...

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Had mine installed at a local body shop....they said they thought this was a very quality kit and went on perfectly with no probs whatsoever. All lines line up as they should. Bottom door gap looks stock...no flapping....back end matches perfectly. Note....if you dont install the entire A-spec kit.....things will never line up right. (some people dont do back bumper for some reason). I initally had reservations....but figured shit...I bought it right>? Put it on! Happy that I went that way too.

rbf351

i installed the kit myself, and no matter what i did the rear peice will not line up with the lines of the rear bumper on the side, i haven't seem 1 other TL that lines up either. i think Acura just made the kit like this


see my pics

Jmark

I'm happy to say that my dealer finally got there act together and sent the car to an Autobody shop for the third kit installed. So far it's holding together just fine.

John

rs808

I also have small gaps in my rear bumper. I plan on mentioning it next time I'm in for service.