Rocker panel indentation

[JGreenwood07]

I was working on the 370 and noticed something on the rocker panels. It looks like there is the slightest deformation on each rocker panel towards the front of the car, almost under where the Z turn signal is. The best way to put it is that it looks like a very slight undulation in the panel surface. Can only really be seen by getting down on the ground and looking down along the sides of the rocker panels. It sounds similar to the issue people were having with regards to the front bumper and the way the plastic would undulate in certain spots.

I'm not sure if this is from mounting points on the rocker panels pulling the plastic a bit, or a botched job of putting the car up on a lift, but was curious to see if anyone notices the same thing on their car.

It's on each rocker panel in the same spot, so I'm leaning towards it just being a factory thing but wanted to check with anyone else to get their opinion. There is no damage to the paint where the indentations are. I did just have springs installed, but noticed this issue beforehand.

Thanks.

edit: attached some images of the area in question. You can't see the spot in the images, but wanted to include them for reference.

[bullitt5897]

Did you have ur Z serviced? Many dealers don't know to put blocks on the lifts to avoid putting dents in the side panels. I and many others have had that problem with the dealers.

[370Zsteve]

[JGreenwood07]

I did have the Z serviced. Would it make sense for the sides of the rocker panels to have slight dents in them even if on a lift? The bottoms are fine, so it seems kind of odd to me.

I will bring it up when I go in next weekend to the dealer, and see what they say.

[bullitt5897]

That is exactly what happened. The rocker panels rest on the lifts and they get bulges in them

[JGreenwood07]

At this point, it's so slight that I don't think I will have them replaced, but I will be sure to discuss it with the service manager next time I go in.

How should the car be placed on the lift to avoid this issue?

[kenchan]

off that panel. it's not rocket science..

[bullitt5897]

they need to add spacers on the lift points

[JGreenwood07]

Great, thanks Bullitt. Really appreciate all of the help.

[Greed]

Dealer scuffed up mine too

[JGreenwood07]

Man, that stinks. Luckily, the rockers on mine weren't scratched at all. I think what has happened is when the car has been on the lift, they used support pads under the front of each rocker panel. The weight placed on them was enough to cause the rockers to buckle and bulge ever so slightly.

Emailed my dealer and it was sent to the service manager. Going in on Saturday to talk to them about it. My main concern is finding out why this happened in the first place and to avoid it from here on out. I'm not holding my breath at getting the rockers replaced.

[woodfolk1959]

JGreenwood07,

Unfortunately, I have a similar story. In June of 2010, a maintenance representative where I purchased my car called and asked to schedule me for a free oil change. I agreed and received a free oil change. However, a few days later, I noticed a crease on my drivers-side rocker panel near the rear wheelwell. Funny thing was, the exact same crease appeared on the passenger-side as well.

So, I visisted the dealer's bodyshop. After reviewing the damage, the collision manager asked if I had any maintenance performed recently. I said yes, and he said that the maintenance personnel were responsible. He said it's virtually impossible to get identical creases in the rocker panels without improperly placing the lift arms. Then he told me to go back to the maintenance department and share with them his professional opinion. And, that they're responsible.

Long story short, the maintenance manager was unconvinced and refused to do anything about it. At that point, I'd owned the car for 7 months and had approximately 3,000 miles on the car. So, it wasn't like I was abusing it. In March of this year, I finally had both rocker panels replaced, courtesy of GEICO, of whom I am very thankful. Nonetheless, I had to pay the deductible and my dealership got off Scott free!!!

Unfortunately, this has left a very bad taste in my mouth concerning this dealership. I say unfortunately because, I was pleased with the professionalism and integrity that the sales representative and collision manager displayed. However, I will never recommend anyone to have service performed there. So again, I am very sorry to hear that JGreenwood07 had a similar experience.

[jberto]

I had the same problem a few months ago. The Service Manager never accepted it was their fault, but agreed to replace them. They replaced the rocker panels, but they did a pretty lousy paint job and the panels look darker than the rest of the car, so I need to go back and talk to them.