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Poor Quality of Front Bracket

7107 Views 24 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  mswaim
Have any of u experienced as I have today a small stone breaking right through the front bracket that is below the bumper and dead center between the adaptive radar lenses.
I now have a 1 or 2 inch hole and the part has to be replaced-I wonder what Cadillac will want for it? Likely not a warrenty item.
Appears as a black, criss-cross pattern were the front license plate would go. It's made out of the cheapest plastic material that is on r beloved XLR!!
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ctvsman,

I feel your pain. However, I have not experienced your problem and will more than likely experience sometime down the road. Thank you for giving me some insight.

I dislike any kind of Road Killl, especially if it's an XLR.

DFXLR
You're making me feel better about having to install the front license plate! :D
XLR fans I guess I shouldn't be surprised but the dealer advised me cadillac wants $175 for the plastic piece, while my car was in for beige goop removal. I decided to pass mainly due to the fact that since the part is so flimsy the new part will most likely break too. Since I am aware that memebers of Cadillac management read this forum, I appeal to them to replace my part and others who have had the same thing happen under warrenty and then provide an improved and stronger replacement piece. The quality of this piece is not at all representative of the current american standard of quality or the XLR.
Look forward to a response.
How about posting a picture of the damaged part and surrounding area?
Gang,

This is very interesting. Thanks for the input!

DFXLR
I had to replace one of the plastic parts in the wheel well.. i found a great website that you can order parts from either by part number or by searching (and they have great illustrations to ensure you get the right part). I was surprised how inexpensive the parts are. I don't know how much work it would be to replace that part yourself though. It looks like the part includes the covers for the cruise radar. I found the part you are talking about it's the "Lower grille", looks like it's about $90. I would definetly recommend this parts dealer. Anyway.. just an option if it breaks again.

http://www.gm-car-parts.com
Another problem, seemingly by design, is the front license plate unit (for those of us in states which demand such a thing).

It appears impossible to use any type high end plate surround, as the plate must slide (upward) into a slim track. What occurs is that the bottom of the plate hangs below, leaving a very unfinished appearance.

Not something which should be on a car in this price range.

Hopefully Cadillac can come up with a more appropriate fix for this and offer replacement units.
Fred thanx so much for the link >>from the dealer $175++ plus installation from the site $89.38 and I am sure I can do it myself!!!
U The Man!!!
I have had the same problem with the lower fascia and contacted Cadillac. It seems that they are not aware of the problem. The part costs $119.00 but requires that the bumper be removed. My body shop man suggested that I not repair it because it will only break again due to the flimsy nature of the grille. I have again contacted Cadillac and asked to speak with a design engineer so that they might create a fix for this problem. I hate to spend two hundred plus dollars to have it only brake again. Frankly, I believe that this is a design engineering problem and that Cadillac should step up to the bat and fix them and create a replacement that isn't so flimsy. :nono
Check with Mr. XLR, (Allen Kulbersh). I think he is working on a solution that we will all like.
Grille-Gard the Stainless Steel Lower Air Intake Grille Cover

Like DanB1040 mentioned I have been working on a product that would potentially eliminate the replacement of the complete lower grille assembly. The "OE" factory replacement component spans the entire width of the air intake/adaptive cruise pocket.

Grille-Gard the Stainless Steel Lower Air Intake Grille Cover

This agressive looking Stainless Steel lower air intake grille
cover has been designed from the original factory plastic grille.
The shape and size are laser sculpted while the slots for the
air intake are precisely cut out.


I have questioned many XLR owners and they have ordered the part soley because of it's looks. The preventative aspect against damage to the original grille is an added bonus.

The Grille-Gard will sell for $110.00, but if someone mentions they are part of the XLR forum they will receive a 20% discount on the Grille-Gard.

Thanks
Allen
www.Cadillac-XLR.com
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Grille-Gard the Stainless Steel Lower Air Intake Grille Cover

Grille-Gard the Stainless Steel Lower Air Intake Grille Cover
Please disregard the previous entry, the link did not go through

Like DanB1040 mentioned I have been working on a product that would potentially eliminate the replacement of the complete lower grille assembly. The "OE" factory replacement component spans the entire width of the air intake/adaptive cruise pocket.

www.cadillac-xlr.com/_wsn/page7.html

This agressive looking Stainless Steel lower air intake grille
cover has been designed from the original factory plastic grille.
The shape and size are laser sculpted while the slots for the
air intake are precisely cut out.


I have questioned many XLR owners and they have ordered the part soley because of it's looks. The preventative aspect against damage to the original grille is an added bonus.

The Grille-Gard will sell for $110.00, but if someone mentions they are part of the XLR forum they will receive a 20% discount on the Grille-Gard.

Thanks
Allen
www.Cadillac-XLR.com
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License Frame

Guess there is one good thing about having a front license plate in this location.

Except, of course, for the flimsy nature of the factory holder.

Anyone found a better solution for attachment?
Allen, any reason you went with the grey steel look instead of a black (painted) steel? Your explanation will be worth much more than trying to visualize how the steel looks from a photo.
Does this thing replace the existing panel or fit in front of it?
Grille_Gard Stainless Lower Air Intake Cover

First let me say thanks for the interest. Since the original plastic air intake is made as part of the complete assembly that spans the entire pocket. If you ever want to replace the original piece, you would order the complete unit(molded as one) and your XLR dealer would need to install it. Areas of the front bumper must be detached to allow the replacement to be installed. This would be done with the XLR raised in the air.

The Grille_Gard has guide pins that allow you to simply slide over the existing grille. Since it is made of a brushed stainless it flows with the upper grille and thin enough so it does not look raised away from the original behind it.

The reason a black Grille_Gard has not been produced as of yet is that the chemicals that would be used to change the stainless color to a black anodized look can be very tricky to work with. If I could not be certain the finish would not come off or thin out from washing or stones hitting the unit I will not have it done in black.

The Grille_Gard was originally produced as protection for the original air intake. Regardless if you were covering a damaged air intake or trying to prevent damaging the original intake it simply presses into place. What has happened is that once it was installed and XLR owners looked at the piece, most people have agreed that the stainless appearance enhances the look of the XLR.

To view the Grille_Gard Cadillac-xlr.com/_wsn/page7.html

Since the original air intake stands out because it does not flow with the two covers on either side of it, most people feel it looks unfinished. The Grille_Gard brings the look of the upper grille flowing downward.

Of course if you have the front license bracket installed you have a degree of protection against stones and damage.

Thank You
Allen
www.Cadillac-XLR.com
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New- Black Grille_Gard Available

First let me thank members of the forum, many of you had inquired and have already purchased the Grille_Gard. I became involved with this because of one of my XLR clients was not happy with the fact that his air intake was marked holes. Another XLR owner, designed and created the Grille_Gard.

We wanted to make it simple to install and remove if necessary, but most important it had to flow with the XLR's original air intake. I had previously mentioned that a Black Grille_Gard was being worked on.

Well now available, a Black Urethane coated Stainless Steel version slightly more to match the look of the lower air intake on the XLR. Also the brushed stainless version is available for a contrasting bold looking front.

As I stated previously, any forum member will receive a 20% discount but they must mention it as it is not posted on the merchandise page.

www.cadillac-xlr.com/_wsn/page7.html



NEW! Grille_Gard NEW!
~~
Stainless Steel Lower Air Intake Grille Cover.

Now available in 2 finishes
~~~~
**Brushed Stainless Steel**
or
**Black Urethane coated Stainless Steel**

(Note: sharp objects hitting the black Grille_Gard may slightly mar the finish)

**
(Grille_Gard will Protect your investment from unsightly breaks & holes from
rocks or stones with this great looking lower air intake grille cover)

**
*New Item*
Grille_Gard Brushed Stainless Finish
Item # 0615 stgrl
Available for only $109.00

Grille_Gard Black Urethane Coated Stainless Steel
Item # 0710 blgrl
Available for only $129.00


This agressive looking Stainless Steel lower air intake grille
cover has been precision designed to fit original factory plastic grille.
The shape and sizes are laser sculpted while the slots for the
air intake are precisely cut to match the pattern of the original plastic grille.

This simple press in design will take you only seconds to install.
You not only benefit from the protection of flexible Stainless Steel,
the lower grille cover in brushed Stainless Steel gives the XLR a sharp agressive look.

If the stealth look is what you desire,the Black Urethane coated stainless steel Grille_Gard becomes almost invisible.

Regardless if the grille is broken or not, the Grille-Gard
has a outstanding look that flows with the "Bold
Breakthrough style that has made the XLR a success.



Thank You
Allen Kulbersh

www.Cadillac-XLR.com
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Clairification on pricing Discount

Many of you have inquired about the discount I mentioned to Forum Members. I am sorry if I didn't make it clear regarding the discount to forum members. It will be a discount of **20%** off the reduced price, not the regular price. Unless posted otherwise.

But the shipping will no longer be at no charge for purchases over $ 50.00.

There are 2 Merchandise Pages: www.cadillac-xlr.com/_wsn/page6.html

On a 100.00 worth of merchandise that would come out to a $ 20.00 savings, a lot more than free shipping.

XLR Forum members must mention their forum user name to receive the 20% off. It will not be posted anywhere on the merchandise page.

Thank You
Allen

www.Cadillac-XLR.com
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