A pillar trim gap advice needed

[mczinn]

Hi there,

I brought my MCS into the dealer because I had a small gap between the vertical A-pillar exterior trim (the black plastic) and the gutter trim that goes around the roof of the car. The gap was between 1/16" and /8". I have not seen the car yet since it is still at the dealers. But they told me that they fixed "as best as they could" but the gap is still there a little bit.

My question is this.....can water getting in there do any harm? Or is this just a cosmetic problem?

I will push the issue more if water getting in there can cause any problems (like the "Christine effect". But if it is purely cosmetic, I won't press it too much (assuming it looks ok)

Thanks!
mczinn

[MiNiGuY]

Quote: Originally Posted by mczinn

Hi there,

I brought my MCS into the dealer because I had a small gap between the vertical A-pillar exterior trim (the black plastic) and the gutter trim that goes around the roof of the car. The gap was between 1/16" and /8". I have not seen the car yet since it is still at the dealers. But they told me that they fixed "as best as they could" but the gap is still there a little bit.

My question is this.....can water getting in there do any harm? Or is this just a cosmetic problem?

I will push the issue more if water getting in there can cause any problems (like the "Christine effect". But if it is purely cosmetic, I won't press it too much (assuming it looks ok)

Thanks!
mczinn

If it is the outer A post finisher itself that is fitted incorrectly, then water could possibly enter the car.
when your dealer 'fixed' it, it depends wether or not they replaced the finisher.
If they did, then it's unlikely that water will enter the car.
The outer A post finisher has a synthetic 'sticky' seal which holds it to the car (along with 3 push studs which are the culprits that can let water in), but misalignment with the cantrail (the roof gutter thingy) is common.
If you are a perfectionist (like me ) and you are handy with a tool kit, then pull the door seal away at the top, undo the phillips screws holding the cantrail and re postition it in relation to the A post finisher. Unfortunately you can't change the postition of the finisher without breaking the seal, which may make things worse so it's best to be creative with the cantrail.

If you are talking about alignment problems with the finisher and the small plastic extension affixed to the front of the cantrail then a heat gun or powerful hair dryer can be used to heat the extension up and 'mould' it to a correct fit.

They didn't used to like me doing that to the cars because it was me being, well, perfectionist. It was quietly pleasing though when I was asked to 'do that thing you do' when it was the car destined for the driveway of the managing directors daughter.

[mczinn]

Thanks! Can you explain what the "finisher" is? Is that the black piece that I see? What is the cantrail? Sorry, I don't know the terminology. They told me that they just adjusted the screws. They didn't say that they replaced anything. In fact I asked. They said no, that they just adjusted my current one. Should I be asking for a whole new black plastic piece?

--mczinn.

[mczinn]

Also, about the gap. The space was big enough so I could see the white metal behind it. I would have thought that water could have entered there. Where does that water go?

Thanks again!
mczinn

[MiNiGuY]

Quote: Originally Posted by mczinn

Thanks! Can you explain what the "finisher" is? Is that the black piece that I see? What is the cantrail? Sorry, I don't know the terminology. They told me that they just adjusted the screws. They didn't say that they replaced anything. In fact I asked. They said no, that they just adjusted my current one. Should I be asking for a whole new black plastic piece?

--mczinn.

Yes outer A post finisher is the 'black plastic bit'. Cantrail is the 'roof guttering'.

I've assumed you were on about the line up between the two.

You'll get 3 or 5 hundred cars where there is no problems then suddenly one doesn't go together properly. There's no obvious explanation. It just happens. If you think about it, it's bound to happen at times, just like the newspaper you buy that has smudged print.

Why?
Because.

Anyway, cantrail adjustment is what I've already recommended. It's what I would have done to your car.
A post outers are quite a precise fit and misalignment problems are usually the cantrails fault, and even on the odd occasion when the cantrail isn't to blame, it can still be adjusted to create a good fit.

[mczinn]

OK, so I talked to the dealer some more and discussed what you said here. And the service guy talked to the tech for me.

So they just tried to move the small plastic extention and that didn't really work. I guess they didn't try the hair dryer method :-) Tomorrow they are going to put a whole new finisher on to see if that helps. The tech says that all the seals are good and it is just cosmetic. They said a new finisher may or may not help. It would only help if the original one wasn't on correctly. I don't think I can make them do anything else. If they can't get the cantrail to fit, and they replace the finisher, I guess that is it. I wish you were here to fix it!!!

So what I want to know if everything is seated properly, does a small gap between the finisher and extention part matter? It sounds as if it is just cosmetic and not a water hazard. If that is the case, I guess I will just live with it.

Thanks again MiNiGUY!!!!

mczinn

[MiNiGuY]

Quote: Originally Posted by mczinn

OK,

So what I want to know if everything is seated properly, does a small gap between the finisher and extention part matter?



mczinn

No. it's quite normal, and I have to say you are being a bit finicky.
However, a perfect fit is possible but I'm wondering wether you'll go back to the dealer next week about the other side!

These are mass produced machines. This is why you can afford one.
Your car on its own is worth millions, but because its mass produced you share the costs with others.

Your problem isn't really a 'problem' yet then again it is. I understand your point of view.
It sounds as if your dealer is trying to make you happy, and you can't really ask any more.
I've got a feeling they will try to sort it out nicely now anyway.

I've made posts on here about the finishers and cantrails which are more detailed if you want to search for them.

[mczinn]

Thanks again MiNiGUY. I was mostly just worried that water would get where it isn't supposed to and not as worried about the look of it. Thanks for pointing out that I am being finicky. My dealer probably thinks the same thing.

Basically what started this is that my windows and sunroof decided to open on two occations by themselves. Then I saw the little gap and did a search here and saw that water entering could cause the problem. So I was just trying to keep water out so my windows don't decide to open by themselves any more.

I guess I will just let them replace the finisher and if that doesn't do the trick to close the gap then I will just forget it. There are much better things that I can do with my time.

And BTW, the other side is just fine :-)

Thanks again for all your wonderful insight and help. It is truely appreciated.

--mczinn

[mczinn]

So it turns out that a new A-pillar finisher did the trick. It fixed the gap.

Thanks again for all of your help in this.

[scooperman_uk]

Just to confirm peoples fears.

I lost an A-frame pillar cover on the motorway and drove around for the rest of the day with it exposed. It was wet and raining and even driving at speed on the motorway, no water penetrated the vehicle from behind the A-frame pillar. If water does penetrate behind it, which it will do it simply drains down behind the pillar and enters a rubber sleaved drain section which can be seen within the cavity of the door (near the hinges).

[MiNiGuY]

Quote: Originally Posted by mczinn

So it turns out that a new A-pillar finisher did the trick. It fixed the gap.

Thanks again for all of your help in this.

Sound all good then.

When they 'whack' the finishers on at the factory, sometimes a stud will miss its hole and get crushed, because they are just plastic. Could be what happened here. I expect they replaced the finisher and lined up the cantrail also which leaves your car, hopefully, perfect.

All the best