I'm wondering if anyone has the Factory spoiler whether the dealership installed it or you. My concern is about the fitment. Mine was installed after purchase due to it was the last manual Tc in Phoenix AZ area and it had no spoiler. My fitment issues are gaps between the spoiler and hatch on both sides of the third brake light. It looks almost like it's 1/4-1/2 an inch gap. I'm hoping that I'm not the only one with this issue. Yes I searched and read all postings and responses from those postings.

 

in addition to the OEM spoiler there is a installation kit which acts as a template on where the spoiler needs to be installed...whether u DIY or have the dealership do it....the kit should be used to ensure fitment.

with that said, most dealerships have tC2s an minimum and then add on options as wanted by the customer. My spoiler was installed by the dealership while the paper work was being worked out. I actually test drove my tC2 WITHOUT the spoiler installed yet.

so, IF there is a fittment issue, it might be the dealership did a bad job installing...and there wasnt something wrong with the general fact of dealerships doing the install after

 

Yeah I saw the option at TRD Sparks for the mentioned template. But you didn't clarify if yours has a gap or not. I'm assuming not due to the response but I don't like assuming things. I grew up being told that assumption is the mother of all F@ckups. Thank you for the response KidJustin.

 

i haven't checked if the gap is normal. haven't had time. all i'm saying is that its normal for a dealership to install the spoiler after so thats not a problem. UNLESS they messed up the install. I will check my dealer installed spoiler if there is a gap, and if that gap is normal later and report back

 

It does not fit flush over the upper corners of the fenders. There is enough of a gap to get a wash mit in there. It should be flush on the hatch's rear deck. I'm not sure about the 3rd brake light though.

 

Thanks for the reply blackedout. I actually meant the lower wings on either side of the 3rd brake light. I described the wrong area. When I open the hatch and look at the bottom of the spoiler there is a 1/8 inch gap (I remeasured) it. According to another user it's supposed to be like that and I trust him because he used the template when he installed his. Also how do you like your Tein S-Techs? I had it on the Tc1 and loved them.

 

They were a bit harsh with the stock tires at 80+mph on rough roads. I have a few bad discs in my back so I have to have good ride quality. I almost gave up on them, then I installed the new wheels and tires. Totally different car. I love the springs now, handles great and the extra rubber and softer compound tires did the trick for a softer ride. She does not botttom out and I can push the car very hard in the corners. I have almost scared myself trying to find the Tc's grip limit. I have not found it yet.
I don't feel the need for sway bar upgrades really, body roll seems dead on for my taste. The car is planted and very predictable. I say grab a set. BTW I have yet to bother with an alignment after 10k miles on them. There is no camber adjustment for the rear as of right now. Check the sticky at top of the suspension forum. Both my sets of tires are wearing properly, car handles as it should. Only real downside to the springs is the front lip finds everything it can to rub on if you are not paying close attention.

 

What kind of lip do you have? I guess it's just like the Tc1 then. My RS1 lip was getting everything on the road. Even the rougher ride with factory tires. Oh well, S-Techs are ordered and on the way.

 

jarvasdb1 why dont u post a picture of the gap exactly?

then someone can take a similar picture so u can compare

 

Good idea. However today is my first day at work so I'll be doing 12 hour shifts the next four days. I will absolutely do it the first chance I get. Maybe before going to bed tomorrow. Thanks for the replies by the way.

 

The stock front end rubs on inclines that you would think it should clear. If you are used to driving a lowered car, it should not be a problem for you. First lowered ride for me in a quite a while. I feel your pain, 12 hr. shifts for me all weekend. At least my boss is cool enough to let me get on line a little bit.

 

12 hour shifts....I knew someone would understand. I work in a clean room environment. I just hope I don't have to be in a level B chemical suit and respirator. I went from installing car audio to this. Have a good Easter everyone.

 

Okay. I know, i know. Sorry no pics yet. As I arrived at work last night I saw a Release Series 7.0 (Yellow '11 Tc) pull up a few parking spots from me. Mind you my company parking is private so the odds were slim. I spoke to the guy and checked out his spoiler. After comparing the two, I realized right above the 3rd brake light sits the way it needs to on my car. But the two tabs that hang lower curve away from the hatch=bigger than 1/8 inch gap. Now that I've seen it in the day light I can clearly see not the edge but the face of the double sided tape that's supposed to be touching the hatch but nowhere close to it. I'm trying to keep my calm since it's Easter Sunday and all. But it irks the crap out of me the fact that the installer knew he did a shady job and didn't tell anyone or no one bothered checking this guy's work. After seeing this I have come to 2 conclusions: 1. the spoiler was not made/molded correctly or 2. The installer drilled the holes in the wrong spot. It was like the RS 7.0 had factory wing and mine was from egay. WTF? That's how big a difference there is. I'm hoping the spoiler is defective because I will raise all hell if they drilled wrong and will drill the holes bigger to fix it. If they drilled wrong, will I be out of place to ask for a new hatch all together. I payed the regular price for that wing and this is my first new car. It's almost like no one wants me to get ahead. I'm trying to type politely but I'm almost ready to hurt someone. Somebody please give guidance on how I should handle this. I haven't been ghetto since I became a dad but that doesn't mean that side left. Thank you. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I apologize for such a lengthy read. When I say ghetto I mean I survived a civil war in a 3rd world country ghetto.
'

 

Calm down bud.. lol. Just take it back to the dealer and make them fix it. It's not right, they are obligated to fix it. You may have to be persistent, maybe even raise a little hell, call corporate.. in the end they will have to fix it. Ask for a loaner if it takes more than a day, which it should not. These cars are easy to work on.
Try to fix it yourself and they will blame it on you if you mess up. I like to do my work myself, but new cars under warranty. NOPE.

 

I know. And thank you Blackedout. I just needed to vent. Things like this is what makes my wife and I feel like the world doesn't want us to move ahead or have too much. We work out butts off for what we have. I mean this is my first brand new car and I'm 32 years old. I know people who have had brand new cars since before even getting their licenses. It's going to be a loooong night at work tonight. 6:42pm to 7am is going to feel even more like an eternity tonight. I just hope they are more than willing to take care of this.

 

Damn! You work at like a UPS or FedEx for getting that many hours? Lol hope all goes well with you and I'm pretty sure it will ; ) lol

 

Hey man, like everyone else has said, take it to the dealer. They have to fix it. They put it on so if its not right they have to make it that way.

On a side note. I work 12 hour days also haha. Mine just happens to be rotating shift work. It really does suck.

 

Thank you for everyone's support and responses. I work in the Semiconductor industry. I work 3 days one week then 4 days the next. So you can say I work 14 days out of the month. Or about 6 months out of the year give or take.

So I just came back from the dealer. Luckily a service adviser (Tc1) who ended up getting the piping and RS1 lip off of my 2009 tc trade in recognized me. He approached me while I was standing in line. I showed him the car and explained to him my concerns. He ran around asking upper management and others about it. The service lady who helped me originally also asked me what's up. They located the tech that installed it and had him take a look at it. First he said that's how they fit. I walked everyone to a car on the lot with a spoiler on it from factory. The service guy (Tc1), grabbed a parts manager to ask him about the spoiler. Turns out there is a known issue with the spoilers being warped either from shipping or molded wrong from the factory. They agreed when I said that my car should have never been given back to me in it's current condition. The nice parts manager who was ripped out of a meeting ordered up my spoiler right away. The tech that installed my spoiler, well my car was his 3rd one and was only filling in for their main accessories guy. When the new one comes in the main guy will be working on my car. If the holes were drilled wrong then they just might have to get me a new hatch according to the parts manager. So we'll see. I'll keep everyone updated.

 

Shorter version if anyone wants to sticky this.

So our OEM spoilers which are either installed or purchased separately from the car itself is know to have fitment issues. The fitment issues that I am referring to is if any part of the spoiler that is supposed to sit flush against the hatch isn't touching or hugging it. In my case above the 3rd brake light sits flush but the lower slabs/tabs to the right and left of the 3rd brake light sit more than an eighth of an inch from the hatch. This is due to the spoilers being warped. Hence the reason why certain fitment issues are worse than others. Mine just happened to be the worst so far. So if you're contemplating getting the factory lip (duckbill) spoiler you might want to have the dealership install it just in case there are fitment issues. Thank you.

 

Thats awesome that they are taking care of that for you! I hope you're as excited as I would be haha.