RubyRod
Seasoned Member
I just replaced my Skid Bar. One of the mounting flanges snapped off. I'm sure it happened before I bought the car but I just noticed it recently.
I bought a multi-piece after market part for a little over $100:
ucarpart.com
There are also single piece aftermarket parts available at a little higher price point.
The quality of the aluminum is fine. The quality of the welds seems fine. The tolerances on the mounting points is marginal. The captive washers on the mounting bolts don't quite fit in the "U" channel on the mounting flanges. It took a bit of diddling in order to get the bolts started and snugged down. The washers have to make their own grooves as you tighten the bolts down. But they do make their way down where they belong. The captive nuts along the bottom rail for the Air Deflector don't quite line up with the holes in the center section of the Air Deflector. I had to tug & pull on the plastic of the Air Deflector to get all 3 bolts started. I could have opened up the holes in the Deflector with a drill bit but I REALLY didn't want to go there. The three "fingers" on each side for the speeds nuts used to attach the bottom of the Nose Cover are also a little iffy. I had to use an awl to push & pull the Nose Cover around a bit in order to align the holes and start the screws. But with a little bit of effort everything goes together.
One note: the bolts used to attach the bottom rail together are stainless. The lock washers are also stainless. But the nuts are carbon steel. I replaced the nuts with stainless in order to reduce the risk to corrosion. I wanted to use stainless lock nuts but I couldn't find a 6mm stainless lock nut at any of the local hardware or home centers. The captive nuts for the Air Deflector are brass or bronze so they shouldn't corrode.
Compared to the cost of the alternatives I think it's a suitable choice.
I bought a multi-piece after market part for a little over $100:
Cadillac XLR 2004-2009 20939829 15916658 Lower Radiator Core Support Skid Bar Plate Generic
Specifics:Codition: 100% Brand NewMaterial: AluminumSize: As picture showColor: As picture showPlacement on Vehicle: FrontFitment Type: Direct ReplacementManufacturer Part Number: 20939829,15916658Fitment For:For Corvette C6 2005-2013For Cadillac XLR 2004-2009Package list:1 * Radiator...
ucarpart.com
There are also single piece aftermarket parts available at a little higher price point.
The quality of the aluminum is fine. The quality of the welds seems fine. The tolerances on the mounting points is marginal. The captive washers on the mounting bolts don't quite fit in the "U" channel on the mounting flanges. It took a bit of diddling in order to get the bolts started and snugged down. The washers have to make their own grooves as you tighten the bolts down. But they do make their way down where they belong. The captive nuts along the bottom rail for the Air Deflector don't quite line up with the holes in the center section of the Air Deflector. I had to tug & pull on the plastic of the Air Deflector to get all 3 bolts started. I could have opened up the holes in the Deflector with a drill bit but I REALLY didn't want to go there. The three "fingers" on each side for the speeds nuts used to attach the bottom of the Nose Cover are also a little iffy. I had to use an awl to push & pull the Nose Cover around a bit in order to align the holes and start the screws. But with a little bit of effort everything goes together.
One note: the bolts used to attach the bottom rail together are stainless. The lock washers are also stainless. But the nuts are carbon steel. I replaced the nuts with stainless in order to reduce the risk to corrosion. I wanted to use stainless lock nuts but I couldn't find a 6mm stainless lock nut at any of the local hardware or home centers. The captive nuts for the Air Deflector are brass or bronze so they shouldn't corrode.
Compared to the cost of the alternatives I think it's a suitable choice.
