Hey guys. I have a few questions about my new car. I noticed that the taillights are no longer smooth but appear to have a depression in them on both sides. Is this normal or is it a sign of age. I also noticed that the black paint between the T-Tops and the hatch back looks bubbled. Again, anyone have any ideas what I am seeing. Does Chevy sell the stereo wiring harness power side separate from the rest of the harness? BTW its a 2002 Camaro Z28 with 6K actual miles on the car. It has been stored pretty much its entire life and only taken out for parades and car shows and the occasional maintenance. Thanks

 

Only question I can answer - Bubbling roof panel is a common and NASTY problem. The roof panel is held on by adhesive. Apparently in the later years of the 4th Gen, GM changed or deleted the interior sealer that went on the composite roof panel before the adhesive. As a result, the sealer bleeds through the composite panel, and bubbles the paint. Only "cure" is a new roof panel. Replacements are now available, because of the commonality of this problem.

4th Gen Camaro Roof Panel Replacement - Camaro Performers Magazine

 

Thank you. Now to find all of the recalls I might have on this car since I know it had a few in 2000 when I bought my last one.

 

Here are the photos I have of the affected areas other than the Stereo.

 

Oops I forgot to ask. On both sides of the body the front fender is sticking out past the door at the bottom. I do not remember that on my last car, is that normal?

 

Nope.... common damage due to jacking the car incorrectly. There is a pinch joint in the sheet metal, and the plastic fender attaches with a screw or two. People jack the car under the pinch joint, and it bends outward, pushing the fender outward. If you are lucky, the sheet metal can be bent back to vertical, taking the plastic fender with it.

There is a black plastic block in the area, and that's where a frame lift is supposed to be set. But the block of plastic, on the side says "do not jack here" and people get confused, not realizing the pinch joint is what is referenced on the plastic block. There is a reinforced, and notched pinch joint, where the vehicle jack is supposed to be located, but people don't think it through.

Do you have a factory shop manual? If not, 2000 version should get you close enough:

https://www.mediafire.com/?40mfgeoe4ctti

 

I can't really tell from the photos where the taillight depressions are. Maybe post the photos marked with arrows to show the locations. I would check the bulbs to make sure they are not overheating the lenses in those spots.

 

So yours are perfectly smooth then?
No indention? Here they are again. Thanks

 

Correct, mine have nothing like those.

 

The issue with the lights is weird, almost like the plastic was melted. I wonder if something had had light pressure on the lights on a number of really hot days.

 

I agree with Gary, check to see if the indentations line up with the lamps. I've never seen indentations before, but Camaros used at Indianapolis that were equipped with strobe lights generally have bulges out from the heat of the lamps.

 

The guy had the car in a climate controlled storage facility and never used the car except for special occasions. Even the dealer that I bought it from had the car in a storage facility close to the dealership. There are no rain spots on the paint or glass meaning they were right about never being rained on. I was able to fix the fenders using the technique mentioned above. It was just common sense had I thought about it myself. The dealer put a new set of tires on the car 2 weeks ago and that is when that happened. As for the taillights I am going to leave well enough alone unless someone makes a really good replacement. Also the adhesive band that is showing up on the area behind the TTops is not that bad yet. I went to a Dent repair guy today and he took out both small dings and touched up the small spot on the fender at the bottom for $125. Also buffed out a small key mark by the gas lid and the door. Now the car is flawless. Except that tail lights of course. LOL

 

My '98 Z28 has those "indentions" in the taillights, but I've had tinted GTS covers on them since the day I got home with it. I always thought it was the covers that caused the extra heat to build up causing the melted plastic. However, now the taillights covers cover up the damage since they've always been smooth.

I would guess your car had taillight covers on it at some point in it's life, but I suppose it's possible for the bulbs to have done that without covers...

I agree with the other posts about the improper jacking causing the fender issue as well as the adhesive issue for the roof.