Bodywork problem on A column

[Wabbit]

Hi all

Six months into ownership and my 54 plate CC has already cost me over £1000 in mechanical repairs (!!!) and now that’s sorted (I hope!) I can move onto the bodywork problem that has now arisen!

The body panel covering the A column (from bonnet to top of windscreen) is peeling away! I now have unsightly looking yellowy-brown cracked glue/sealant and rubbery bits all exposed and it looks pretty hideous! I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem? One garage has told me “it’s because the car is black and absorbs heat, it’s always going to warp”…but how can it be that black cars are manufactured that can’t withstand the heat of the British weather?! Pull the other one!

Any people out there got any bodywork experience and can give an indication of how much it might cost me to get fixed, of if Renault might be prepared to help out (unlikely I know due to the age, but worth asking!)

Thanks!
W

[continentalgt]

Quote from the Renault CD manual
"The A pillar trims are clipped or cemented depending on the vehicle. Only clip on A pillar trims are available from the parts department."
"Three possible cases can arise: Clip on A pillar trim, A pillar trim cemented using windscreen adhesive, A pillar trim secured using double sided tape."

There is also a note perhaps worth mentioning that says "Always discard A pillar trims cemented using windscreen adhesive and replace with a new clip on A pillar trim"

Not sure if this helps but it might explain how yours are attached.

[joeishmather]

Quote from the Renault CD manual
"The A pillar trims are clipped or cemented depending on the vehicle. Only clip on A pillar trims are available from the parts department."
"Three possible cases can arise: Clip on A pillar trim, A pillar trim cemented using windscreen adhesive, A pillar trim secured using double sided tape."

There is also a note perhaps worth mentioning that says "Always discard A pillar trims cemented using windscreen adhesive and replace with a new clip on A pillar trim"

Not sure if this helps but it might explain how yours are attached.

If they are clip on/off maybe able to replace them fairly easily?

[synchro]

I have a black cc. My pillar trims are coming away slightly at the bottom.
Not unsightly yet, but enough for me to notice.

I keep meaning to glue them and clamp them when I get some free time
on a sunny day. Maybe the screen was changed on the car previously and they
didn't refix them properly in the past?

[Wabbit]

I have a black cc. My pillar trims are coming away slightly at the bottom.
Not unsightly yet, but enough for me to notice.

I keep meaning to glue them and clamp them when I get some free time
on a sunny day. Maybe the screen was changed on the car previously and they
didn't refix them properly in the past?

synchro, mine is black too... someone said something about the fact that it's black and absorbing heat and hence warping. Renault say they've never seen nor heard of this problem before, so this interesting! I'll take some pics tomorrow and put them up.

Renault have also said that in their opinion there's no fault as I can't verify what has happened to the car in its lifetime, suggesting that it may have been involved in a crash where these were damaged? It would have to be some crash, and yet the HPI shows up nothing.

Does anyone know if they get touched in anyway during a windscreen replacement?

W

[Wabbit]

Pics as promised!

Drivers side:

Passenger side (which is far worse!):

synchro - can you post pics of yours up please?

W

[joeishmather]

Can't you just glue them back down? Some epoxy resin or something???

[Wabbit]

Has been tried, and failed. I think the seals underneath are now all perished, and so not in a good condition to be stuck down. Boyfriend wants to try once more with some soft clamps, but we'll have to see how the weather is at the weekend for that!

[EBCC]

I have got this same problem. I called Renault they do the pillar caps for £69.11 but they are unpainted. They do a clip kit for £5.33.
Do you think I could use the new clip kit on my old cap?

[Wabbit]

EBCC - interesting, so that's now three of us with the problem that Renault have "never heard of"!!! Did you complain to Renault UK Customer Services? If not then you should...as the more people who report the problem, the more they'll have to admit it's not just us not looking after the cars properly!

I've actually given up on my car now, too much expenditure, and with the brake discs now worn, and the steering rack clicking there would be more ahead. So I've chopped it in today, and pick up my brand new CC on Friday! Happy days!