Am i wrong ?
Senior Member
Joined: 03-30-2009
Posts: 185
From: wheeling
there is a technical service bullitin that outlines 7 different causes of front end noises. 1 of them is to replace the steering column. another states the struts may be leaking & is causing the strut jounce bumper sliding off it's proper position & causing it to slam into the upper spring seat.
let the dealer diagnose the car. all gas charged struts for hoods and hatches get weaker in winter weather, as the gas condenses.
let the dealer diagnose the car. all gas charged struts for hoods and hatches get weaker in winter weather, as the gas condenses.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-06-2008
Posts: 1,076
From: Over here
I also have quite a loud rattle in the dash in between the dash storage bin and windshield. They attempted to fix that, but were not successful.
I'm learning to live with noises and am starting to deal with interior rattles by stuffing folded up paper towel in some of the cracks and gaps. It's actually worked a bit behind the door panels :)
I'm learning to live with noises and am starting to deal with interior rattles by stuffing folded up paper towel in some of the cracks and gaps. It's actually worked a bit behind the door panels :)
MY dashboard above the center console makes a lot of noise, especially in colder weather, and I stuff paper towels above the headliner to try and get that noise from stopping. In one way I think it is outrageous that I have to do these things and that the dealer can't "replicate" these problems, but on the other hand I do love the car
1) the car is a pile of crap
2) we apparently still really like them... they've managed to build the right combination of fun and utility, and then sprinkle it with just enough bad service (either incompetence, or lack of training, or both) to make us put up with the pile of crap, "fix" them ourselves (read as "GM doesn't have to pay warranty costs), and live with them like they are. In a way, that's an amazing business strategy... get people to buy junk that they like.
As for returning my car for a 4th time (and to get the grease prints removed)... not worth it. I'd rather cheese-grate my elbows. Dealership access is VERY POOR, scheduling, "can you leave it with us for a couple of days, but since we can't really justify to GM that this work warrants a loaner... we're just slow... I can't offer you a loaner car, so you can just walk the 70 miles round trip to work while we're smearing fresh grease... er... "fixing" it again"... no thanks. They've made the barrier to entry on my warranty too high.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-07-2008
Posts: 237
From: NorCal
Two themes here...
1) the car is a pile of crap
2) we apparently still really like them... they've managed to build the right combination of fun and utility, and then sprinkle it with just enough bad service (either incompetence, or lack of training, or both) to make us put up with the pile of crap, "fix" them ourselves (read as "GM doesn't have to pay warranty costs), and live with them like they are. In a way, that's an amazing business strategy... get people to buy junk that they like.
1) the car is a pile of crap
2) we apparently still really like them... they've managed to build the right combination of fun and utility, and then sprinkle it with just enough bad service (either incompetence, or lack of training, or both) to make us put up with the pile of crap, "fix" them ourselves (read as "GM doesn't have to pay warranty costs), and live with them like they are. In a way, that's an amazing business strategy... get people to buy junk that they like.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-06-2008
Posts: 1,076
From: Over here
BTW, I just keep taking crap off of the car... eventually I'll either have an open wheel go-kart or the rattles will stop or the road noise will be SOOOOO great that I can't hear the rattles. I think I'm going to take out the pad under the carpet. 1) it's about 30#, 2) it should raise the road noise threshold enough to cover at least a few rattles, and 3) I won't have to worry about it mildewing and rotting when the infamous cowl panel leak happens.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-15-2008
Posts: 109
From: Ohio
It must be a dealer strategy to grease print the headliner!! I'm getting the same lousy service!!! Is this part of the GM training program? Take your car in for a warranty repair, the monkeys use rocks and sticks for tools, and screw up something to make you not want to bring it back again. Great strategy!
Senior Member
Joined: 08-06-2008
Posts: 1,761
From: Grand Haven, MI
You're not going to get your money back. The car is 36k miles and over 18 months old. It's yours. Your best bet is to just keep pressing them ti (re)fix stuff until the warranty expires.
Re the headliner, I've had mine "fixed" 3 times. On the 3rd "fix," I was provided (at no additional cost) grimy greasy hand prints on my lt. gray headliner. That was my signal that they weren't capable of a genuine fix.
Re the door, during extremely hard acceleration through corners (at the beginning of a full drift), my driver's door leaks air... this is not an ideal time for a door to pop open.
Re the headliner, I've had mine "fixed" 3 times. On the 3rd "fix," I was provided (at no additional cost) grimy greasy hand prints on my lt. gray headliner. That was my signal that they weren't capable of a genuine fix.
Re the door, during extremely hard acceleration through corners (at the beginning of a full drift), my driver's door leaks air... this is not an ideal time for a door to pop open.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
The dealers are face often with the fact they can not get good compitent help in the service department anymore.
I see it in my line of work too. Here is what we face.
1 Finding someone that will show up everyday. On time is even optional at some places.
2 Pass a drug test
3 Has a clue on how to repair cars or has the skill to figure out issues on a car.
4 Getting someone that will work for a good pay and relalize they are not going to make six figures but still make a good living.
5 Honest.
6 With good people and conmunication skills.
7 Still able to pass a drug test a year later.
Has hard as times are it is still hard to find good workers at times. Dealers are hard hit in many areas of the country finding good techs. If you note many will change jobs often if they gain a rep as someone often offers them more money and I have seen some make 6 figures in the right situation with the right skills. They work for it as it is not just given to them.
Add to this the many dealer where all they want to do is sell cars. They just don't caqre about service. My dealer where I go is an example of what GM would like all dealers to be but still has a hard time enforcing the rules. Just see how hard it is closing many of the dealers right now. In the past it has even been tougher.
As for the HHR the biggest noise issue is all the plastic on the inside. It gets cold it makes a lot of noise. The cars of the 80's and 90's reeked of it. As the car lines have been replaced they are getting much better interior as in the case of the Lacrosse, Nox and Malibu. The HHR was still of the old school by GM and is nothing but Cobalt grade plastic.
As for most of us the majority that do not say anything have has no issues or very few. I have two 08 Chevys and both have proven to be trouble free for the most. The BU had a Pressure sender. and the HHR has only has issues that were due to the accident and not anything GM did other than the TSB follow ups I had done and the Head liner noise that was fixed on the first try with no prints.
I see it in my line of work too. Here is what we face.
1 Finding someone that will show up everyday. On time is even optional at some places.
2 Pass a drug test
3 Has a clue on how to repair cars or has the skill to figure out issues on a car.
4 Getting someone that will work for a good pay and relalize they are not going to make six figures but still make a good living.
5 Honest.
6 With good people and conmunication skills.
7 Still able to pass a drug test a year later.
Has hard as times are it is still hard to find good workers at times. Dealers are hard hit in many areas of the country finding good techs. If you note many will change jobs often if they gain a rep as someone often offers them more money and I have seen some make 6 figures in the right situation with the right skills. They work for it as it is not just given to them.
Add to this the many dealer where all they want to do is sell cars. They just don't caqre about service. My dealer where I go is an example of what GM would like all dealers to be but still has a hard time enforcing the rules. Just see how hard it is closing many of the dealers right now. In the past it has even been tougher.
As for the HHR the biggest noise issue is all the plastic on the inside. It gets cold it makes a lot of noise. The cars of the 80's and 90's reeked of it. As the car lines have been replaced they are getting much better interior as in the case of the Lacrosse, Nox and Malibu. The HHR was still of the old school by GM and is nothing but Cobalt grade plastic.
As for most of us the majority that do not say anything have has no issues or very few. I have two 08 Chevys and both have proven to be trouble free for the most. The BU had a Pressure sender. and the HHR has only has issues that were due to the accident and not anything GM did other than the TSB follow ups I had done and the Head liner noise that was fixed on the first try with no prints.
