Bumper step pad issue

PghJeff2 · August 12, 2016

Hi all--

New to the fourm as a poster; not as a reader. I have an issue with the rear bumper step pad on my 15 Silverado. I am referring to the large plastic pad the runs across the entire top of the rear bumper.

I had an incident where this part was damaged/cracked while doing some work back in May. There was no damage to the metal part of the bumper, just to the plastic cap. I took it to my local dealer's body shop, they ordered a new step pad, and when they installed it, did not not fit right. There were 1/4 to 1/2" gaps at either corner as the step pad did not sit tightly against the chrome. You could take your hand and press down and hold it down against the chrome and make it look like it is supposed to and how my original one looked, but as soon as you let go, the piece would go back to its position and there would be a gap. There are also smaller gaps in the middle where the part dips down in the license plate area. In other areas, the piece fits great against the metal. Its just in both corners and on both sides of the license plate area. Its like the plastic was warped.

I took it back, they inspected to make sure no clips were broken or not holding, determined all clips were intact, and ordered me a second one. They installed a new one (again) and again the same issue of gaps and it not sitting flush against the chrome. They don't seem to want to do anything else about it and state that the plastic parts simply just aren't that good/quality.

I really don't understand why if every truck I see, including mine before my original was damaged, can have the step pad fit tight against the chrome, that the new piece is unable to fit right. Are the step pads molded to each bumper at the factory? I am not sure.

I tried to live with it, but I just got the truck back in May, I paid good money for it, and try to take good care of all my vehicles. It looks bad, even if just to my eyes and it just irks me that this isn't fitting right when I paid to have the dealer do it and its an OEM piece ordered from the factory. Maybe I am being picky but I feel like it should fit if I paid good money for the truck and 200 bucks for the part...

Any suggestions? I have lost faith in the body shop at this dealership. Anyone else replace the step pad and have similar issues?

If you all need pics to see what I am talking about, I can try and get them up here.

Thanks for any input,
Jeff

Boardmember · August 12, 2016

Classic recommendation of taking it to another GM service Dept for an opinion, or possibly a good body shop. Would you consider putting some adhesive underneath to seal it/stick it down? Like a black silicone? You're unlikely to have the need to ever separate the pad from the bumper I would think.

Andy Seibel · August 12, 2016

You're sure the bumper isn't bent slightly? that would cause what you are describing.

I can't believe if the bumper is in perfect condition, that the plastic cap wouldn't fit better. I understand your frustration.

PghJeff2 · August 13, 2016

I don't think the bumper is benot at all. The cap doesn't fit flush at both corners not just one, perfectly symmetrical. Also, the old one, even after I damaged it, fit perfect at the corners and everywhere else. Do you think a good shop could heat it up and clamp it down real good anday let it cool? Maybe that would kind of "mold" it to the bumper. Otherwise, im not totally against adhering it with a silicone or double sided tape or something. Thanks for the replies!

BigBadSierra · August 13, 2016

3m TAPE. This is what I would try. To see if it holds it down tight

Odds are the bumper does have a slight skew you just can't see.

PghJeff2 · August 14, 2016

Is there any real good way to tell if the bumper is actually skewed? If it is torqued I would like to actually get it fixed.

Here's how the step pad was damaged:

We were unhooking my father's boat from the hitch; the boat wasnt chocked properly (stupid), and when the tongue disengaged the ball of the hitch, the boat/trailer rolled forward a bit and the tongue of the trailer peeled/gouged the step pad on the part in front of the license plate. It merely skimmed the step pad enough to gouge it. There was no impact to the metal part of the bumper and no dent to the bumper at all, just a tiny 1/8" scratch and then damage to the plastic. The weight of the trailer really wasn't even resting on the bumper, at least not very much, as it was able to move/skim over the plastic step pad. The rest of the step pad was fine, and continued to fit perfectly tight and flush against the metal bumper, even at each corner where I am having issues with the replacement step pads.

Maybe I am wrong, but I feel like if the bumper was torqued from this, A) the area of the bumper would have been damaged, dented, or crinkled and B) the original step pad would not have continued to fit like a glove after the incident. But if it is skewed somehow, I'd like to try to find out. I think it may have just been the install of the replacement step pads, they may have manipulated the plastic too much to get to fit over the bumper. They may have simply bent it out of shape a little. Who knows. Do you guys think a decent body shop would be able to help me out? Thanks in advance!