Just exactly how do you align the cargo cover?

[ggoat!!!]

Hi everyone...sorry I haven't been around much lately. Hope everyone is doing OK...


I got my truck back from the dealer yesterday. One of the things they did this time was install my new shocks and hinges for the rear cargo cover. Let me first say that the service writer is VERY nice and goes out of his way. But...

Even though I explained that some people have had problems with the cargo cover being properly aligned after the strut/hinge change and SHOWED them the proper gap around the bed cover PRIOR to installing the new parts, the cargo cover gap post "repair" is WAY off. The cover nearly touches the tailgate now, and there is an excessive gap along the tonneau cover. The cargo cover is so close to the tailgate that it looks like when they "adjusted" it the cargo cover hit the tailgate as I now have a 1/4" diameter "bubble" on the edge of the tailgate where it looks like the clear is separating from the blue basecoat; you can see the typical "frosty" hazing effect that is usually exhibited with such paint trauma where the clearcoat doesn't actually shatter, but is no longer properly adhered to the basecoat leading to the "milky" look.

I've also had a cargo area leak (since new) that at times I thought was fixed, but after having the truck stored for months (dry storage under a cover) the bed carpet and bags were COVERED with mold...so I apparently have a pretty bad leak SOMEWHERE and leaving the truck sitting allowed the mold to grow. The dealer told me that the upper weatherstrip was leaking (along the rear of the cargo cover) and it is on order. HOWEVER...since the cargo cover is now COMPLETELY out of alignment, how accurate can this diagnosis be? I want to adjust the cargo cover myself so that a PROPER leak determination can be made.

Does anyone know the EXACT procedure for PROPERLY aligning the cargo cover? I don't think I'm going to trust the dealer to do it...another thing they were supposed to adjust was the driver's window due to excessive wind noise and weatherstripping pinching, and all they did was adjust the door latch to pull the door closed a little further. They insist this fixed it, but when I walked up to the truck to pick it up, sure enough the window weatherstripping was pinched at the top. I had explained this problem several times, and provided both copies of the information from this site as well as actual window adjustment technical sheets. They told me they would "use them if we need them." I guess they figured they didn't. I don't think I have confidence in them in adjusting anything...I figured a square cargo cover going into a square cut-out hole would be easy to get right.

But, again...exactly HOW do you align the cargo cover? What is the most complete way to do this right WITHOUT scratching anything?


Thanks again, everyone!
Jeff

[WOW_FCTR]

I would also like this info...as I've discovered the body shop adjusted my cargo cover when fixing the tonneau problem and I now have a small leak in the rear corners again (had been fixed for 2 years).

[OldTownCruiser]

Let me know the answer ! Since the dealership worked on the roof cover and bed cover the LHS front edge now sits lower than the RHS and the roof cover is mis aligned from one side to the other. Will be going back but usually one thing is fixed and another created.

Wind noise on the passenger window was fixed by replacing the three door seals, after several attempts to adjust the window.

Bed leaks in both rear corners even after having re designed tailgate seals installed, dealership told me that GM says it is not watertight as it is a truck,
Document ID #1684810.

[REBEL]

leaks in rear corners ... check for small pieces of foam rubber tucked inside the rubber seal at the corners only. This gives a stiffer contact to the cargo cover.
It looks backyardish, but came from factory this way.

[Marc NY]

Here is what I found on removal and replacement of cargo cover.

Document ID# 1202042
2005 Chevrolet SSR

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rear Compartment Lid Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Open the rear compartment lid.
2. With the aid of an assistant, remove the rear compartment lid hinge fasteners.

See Attachment 1
___________________________________________________________

3. With the aid of an assistant, move the rear compartment lid rearward until it stops.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. With the aid of an assistant, lift the rear compartment lid upward and remove it from the vehicle.

See Attachment 2

----------------------------------
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

See Attachment 2

1. With the aid of an assistant, position the rear compartment lid onto the vehicle.

See Attachment 1

2. With the aid of an assistant, slide the rear compartment lid forward until it stops.


Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

Fastener Notice

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Insert the rear compartment lid hinge fasteners.

Tighten

Tighten the fasteners to 10 N•m (88 lb in).

4. Close the rear compartment lid.

Document ID# 1202042
2005 Chevrolet SSR

[poppa]

All the instructions are great but if they have changed the hinges (which is what they are doing) that all goes out the window and you may have to align the hinge fitment to the tanneau cover!

[RUN ROD RUN]

After reading what posted here, I’m just going to let Stephen from LST sale me some new struts as I’m worried the dealer will make it worst then what it started out as.

[shiftz33]

As to the alignment issue, I can state that I recently had to adjust the hinges on my 06 SSR because the cargo cover was sitting about 3/16" higher than side of the bed in the front on the driver's side. Under the carpet which surrounds the hinge, there are four nuts that hold the hinge in place. It turns out there is a fairly large rectangular hole at the four mount points for the hinge to allow for alignment of of the cover (to some degree). I was able to loosen the four nuts holding the hinge in place and get my cargo cover to come down the 3/16" it needed to be aligned with the side of the bed. There may be enough room in the hinge mounting holes to allow you to "push forward" the cargo cover.

As to the cargo area "leak" issue, I had this same leak issue in my 05 and 06 SSR. I was able to resolve the issue by following the steps I outlined in this thread.

[WOW_FCTR]

Originally Posted by shiftz33

As to the alignment issue, I can state that I recently had to adjust the hinges on my 06 SSR because the cargo cover was sitting about 3/16" higher than side of the bed in the front on the driver's side. Under the carpet which surrounds the hinge, there are four nuts that hold the hinge in place. It turns out there is a fairly large rectangular hole at the four mount points for the hinge to allow for alignment of of the cover (to some degree). I was able to loosen the four nuts holding the hinge in place and get my cargo cover to come down the 3/16" it needed to be aligned with the side of the bed. There may be enough room in the hinge mounting holes to allow you to "push forward" the cargo cover.

As to the cargo area "leak" issue, I had this same leak issue in my 05 and 06 SSR. I was able to resolve the issue by following the steps I outlined in this thread.

Thanks for the post...

[XSELER8]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

After reading what posted here, I’m just going to let Stephen from LST sale me some new struts as I’m worried the dealer will make it worst then what it started out as.

Request that struts are "charged" a slight amount more than the factory struts.

[NVR2OLD]

I had my struts and hinges replaced by a GM dealer and I wasn't satisfied with the alignment so I aligned it myself. This is how I aligned my cover.
Step 1 Have tailgate open and cargo cover closed.
Step 2 Loosen fasteners on rear of cargo cover.
Step 3 Loosen all bolts connecting cover to hinge.
Step 4 Adjust cargo cover by pushing or pulling to the desired location.
Step 5 Retighten bolts on hinges.
During these 5 steps do not open cargo cover.
Step 6 If satisfied with the alignment retighten the fasteners on cargo cover. Make sure they match with the keepers on the truck box. Adjust the keepers if necessary, they will slide forward and backward. The hardest step is getting in the truck box with the cover closed. No trouble for young guys, just think your young.
My attitude was that I couldn't do any worse then the dealers. I made 2 attempts to align mine and it's the same as when I bought it. My way might not be the professinal way but it looks da## good.

[ggoat!!!]

Hi there...I just read your cargo cover alignment post, but I'm confused:


Step 1 Have tailgate open and cargo cover closed.

Step 2 Loosen fasteners on rear of cargo cover. What fasteners are you talking about????? What do you mean by "rear" of cargo cover? What are you calling the "rear"?

Step 3 Loosen all bolts connecting cover to hinge. Which exact bolts are THESE ones? Are they different from the "fasteners" you referenced above?

Step 4 Adjust cargo cover by pushing or pulling to the desired location.

Step 5 Retighten bolts on hinges. ONLY the bolts on the hinges? What about the "fasteners" you spoke of above?

During these 5 steps do not open cargo cover.

Step 6 If satisfied with the alignment retighten the fasteners on cargo cover. Make sure they match with the keepers on the truck box. Adjust the keepers if necessary, they will slide forward and backward. I'm totally confused by this...are THESE the fasteners you referenced above? And what are the "keepers on the truck box"?????? How exactly do you "adjust the keepers" and why would you want to do this? Please clarify.


Thanks again! But, PLEASE clarify in more detail more specifically what you are talking about...


Thanks,
Jeff

[Maui Mike]

#2 I think he means the square loop latches that do the locking down on the "REAR" of the cover by the tailgate. 1st pic.

#3 the 3 bolts by the carpet, bottom side of bed cover. 2nd pic.

#5 retighten ALL 6 on bottom side. Then check the square loop latches and adjust & tighten as required.

RED SQUARE in photo 2 = Hinge to bed side is fixed, no movement, tab A, slot B kinda thing w/ 1 bolt securing it.

Movement is all on the 3 bolts per side and the square loop latches/"FASTENERS". I forget the Official name for them and I just bought some to chrome

Hope this helps and next time, don't fix it if it ain't broke.

[Marc NY]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

After reading what posted here, I’m just going to let Stephen from LST sale me some new struts as I’m worried the dealer will make it worst then what it started out as.

After getting the newer design struts installed at my local dealership, I unfortunately had to take her back in so that the dealer could readjust their off alignment of the cargo cover.

Once they realigned it it now works and looks great.

[Maui Mike]

Does it fully open when the FOB is activated?

[RUN ROD RUN]

Originally Posted by Marc NY

After getting the newer design struts installed at my local dealership, I unfortunately had to take her back in so that the dealer could readjust their off alignment of the cargo cover.

Once they realigned it it now works and looks great.

Time is money and I'm not wasting my time making several (25 minutes one way)trips to the dealer.
Stephen from LST will be in Laughlin and 5 - 10 minutes with him will cure the problem in the parking lot.

[NVR2OLD]

Originally Posted by MauiMike

#2 I think he means the square loop latches that do the locking down on the "REAR" of the cover by the tailgate. 1st pic.

#3 the 3 bolts by the carpet, bottom side of bed cover. 2nd pic.

#5 retighten ALL 6 on bottom side. Then check the square loop latches and adjust & tighten as required.

RED SQUARE in photo 2 = Hinge to bed side is fixed, no movement, tab A, slot B kinda thing w/ 1 bolt securing it.

Movement is all on the 3 bolts per side and the square loop latches/"FASTENERS". I forget the Official name for them and I just bought some to chrome

Hope this helps and next time, don't fix it if it ain't broke.

Thanks for the pictures
I sent ggoat a Pm explaining the procedure in greater detail.

[Maui Mike]

Originally Posted by NVR2OLD

Thanks for the pictures
I sent ggoat a Pm explaining the procedure in greater detail.

I figure he's still trying to align it since midnight last night since he has not responded.

[Mason57]

When they were replacing mine....I took a peek and saw they had two pieces of cardboard on each side b/4 they tighten the bolts. The cover was shut and he crawled in to tighten it. Fits great.