MCATDT
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Paul
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2020
- Threads
- 18
- Messages
- 249
- Reaction score
- 379
- Location
- Orlando, Florida
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator
- Thread starter
- #1
This will be a long story but looking for some advice. After reading so many posts of body bolt issues I decided to have my rock hard sliders installed by a professional. Called my dealer and clearly explained the task (aftermarket part, need to remove the 6 body bolts as part of install). They said they could do it, quoted me a price, and set an appt. Went to dealer yesterday to get it done. I stayed at the dealer while work was being done and so glad I did. The dealer put my vehicle in the bay right in front of the window by the waiting room so I could see everything they were going to do. After 2 hours of watching my vehicle sit there with no one working on it they finally started. I should have known when they started to match the sliders to the vehicle and were holding them upside down that I was in trouble. I got with the SA and let him know the boxes were marked and they were currently holding them upside down. They got them lined up and started removing the body bolts. first 2 came off with no problems and then he moved to the rear passenger mount. It was not breaking free. He got another tech and he finally got it loose. They moved to the drivers side and I stopped watching for a few moments and when I looked back out there I saw 3 techs now all under my vehicle...uh oh was my first thought. After about 30 minutes of no work going on the tech started putting the body bolts he removed back on the vehicle without installing the sliders. The SA came over and said they were having problems with the bolts and did not want to damage the vehicle and would not be installing them. He recommended a body shop. They brought my vehicle around and before I got in I asked the SA and the tech if any of the bolts had been damaged and is everything tightened down. They said yes. I bent down and reached under the vehicle and grabbed the rear body bolt on the drivers side. I wiggled it and I was able to feel some play in it. I commented that this bolt should not have any play in it. The SA said body bolts are designed to flex. I wanted to call BS but didn't. I drove home and once I got up to speed on the highway I could feel vibration in the wheel and through the seat. I know this was not right as the truck has been a tank up to this point. I pulled into my driveway and reached back under the vehicle and the rear bolt after getting vibrated from the drive home was now loose and turning in my bare hand. I immediately called the SA. I let him know the bolt was damaged and there was no way the tech did not know this and I was allowed to leave in a vehicle that was damaged and possibly unsafe. I was asked to return to the dealership and informed they would take care of it and repair any damage. He also had the audacity to ask if I would like them to install the sliders. I am now waiting on their call as to what happened and what the fix will be. At this point I have doubts as to whether the other bolts have been compromised. Is it too much to ask that all 6 bolts get pulled, the body and frame gets properly inspected, sliders installed and all 6 bolts get replaced with new hardware to ensure everything is back to new. The vehicle is only 2 months old. Bottom line is they damaged my Gladiator, lied about it, and allowed me to drive it in an unsafe condition. I am sooooo mad and disappointed.
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