Resolved Talon owners help

[SNAKE_15]

Is the "Talon" tailight suppose to look like this. It looks like it sticks out too much. All the screws are in tight.

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[DogWhistle]

The bolts may be tight, but it looks like you've got too many washers, or some material, behind the top right portion of the center section. Loosen all the bolts, remove the center section, and examine all of the bolt studs to make sure each one contains only a rubber washer (used to seal out water). Reinstall the center section, making sure metal washers, if any, are on the inside of the hatch only. Do NOT overtighten!

If the center section still looks 'off', repeat the removal and find out what is preventing the section from seating correctly.

 

[SNAKE_15]

The bolts may be tight, but it looks like you've got too many washers, or some material, behind the top right portion of the center section. Loosen all the bolts, remove the center section, and examine all of the bolt studs to make sure each one contains only a rubber washer (used to seal out water). Reinstall the center section, making sure metal washers, if any, are on the inside of the hatch only. Do NOT overtighten!

If the center section still looks 'off', repeat the removal and find out what is preventing the section from seating correctly.

The right side was missing a stud so I put a long screw instead...? Is the space between the trunk and tailight normal as well??

 

[DogWhistle]

A screw can work, but be careful, since it could easily bore into the housing and crack the backplate or lens, or cause moisture to get in. The space between the center section and the trunk is correct on the left side of your photo, but too large on the right side. One missing bolt stud shouldn't make this much of a difference. Many dsm's I know are missing at least one center section stud and are still aligned fine. If you haven't already, pull it off and check to see what's going on underneath.

 

[SNAKE_15]

A screw can work, but be careful, since it could easily bore into the housing and crack the backplate or lens, or cause moisture to get in. The space between the center section and the trunk is correct on the left side of your photo, but too large on the right side. One missing bolt stud shouldn't make this much of a difference. Many dsm's I know are missing at least one center section stud and are still aligned fine. If you haven't already, pull it off and check to see what's going on underneath.

But wait, the side thats sticking out didn't have a stud. It was an empty hole so I put in a screw, but it still sticks out. So it can't be that theirs too many washers..??

 

[PlanZero]

It's possible it was damaged at some point or warped over time, hence the reason for the missing stud. More importantly, why do you have a corvette club license plate holder on a DSM haha.

 

[SNAKE_15]

It's possible it was damaged at some point or warped over time, hence the reason for the missing stud. More importantly, why do you have a corvette club license plate holder on a DSM haha.

Because that's what I eat for breakfeast . Either way I put a screw instead and tightened it all the way. Would the other studs by any chance cause it to stick out? Gonna pull it out tomorrow.

 

[Dsmspeed6]

I just wanted to know if any one has had problems with there rpm gauge. I bought a new tps thinking that was the issue but seems that my rpms still wont work.

 

[PlanZero]

no problems with tachometer, not sure why that's here. Moderator? anyway, I have a similar problem on my eclipse. The PO had those stupid aftermarket lights and centerpiece, which fit fine by the way, but when i swapped them out with a junkyard piece, i cannot for the life of me get that center piece to line up right, even though it was perfect on the car i pulled it off of. Is this the original center piece, or was it possibly replaced at some time? It may never fit exactly. i would just take it off, try to line it up as best as possible and slowly tighten the nuts in some kind of sequential order like a valve cover. Also, I'm not sure on talons because I've never taken the center piece off of my Tsi, but on eclipses you usually can be missing one of those studs and see no difference.
I just noticed what looks like scratches on the top of that piece, or is that just the picture? Looks like something was jammed in there. If thats the case, that thing is ruined. Find one at the junkyard if your lucky or i just saw one on ebay for like $50

 

[SNAKE_15]

Ok guys, back at it again and I'm still stumped as to why the right side of the tailight sticks out. I saw my friends talon the other day and it made me think how his looks dead even

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. It makes no sense and I already tried different tailight pieces. What can be the problem???

 

[PlanZero]

From your original picture, it looks like someone tried to pry open the trunk, and damaged the center piece in the process, or that it was simply warped due to a lack of stud. It is very odd that you tried switching center pieces and still had the problem. If that's the case, and all the studs were secure, then it's obviously body related. Smack the offending area with a mini sledge! Is the pass side tail light lined up right?

 

[xiteamxi]

I thought you had to remove the tail lights and install the center section first? I thought the taillights over lapped the center section a slight bit?

 

[SNAKE_15]

From your original picture, it looks like someone tried to pry open the trunk, and damaged the center piece in the process, or that it was simply warped due to a lack of stud. It is very odd that you tried switching center pieces and still had the problem. If that's the case, and all the studs were secure, then it's obviously body related. Smack the offending area with a mini sledge! Is the pass side tail light lined up right?

Gonna take all three tailight pieces and start over. I have a different center tailight piece than the one posted in the original post.

 

[SNAKE_15]

I did notice that my right tailight sits lower than the driver side. I also noticed that I don't have the clips that go from the center section and to the tailights from both sides. Could that be the problem?

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[PlanZero]

It's possible, but I don't see the absence of one panel clip causing such problems, since there are plenty of studs holding all the pieces in. However, there is a reason why it's not there, assuming you're not the one who lost it. If the whole assembly was removed and never put back properly, the plastic could have warped over time.

 

[SNAKE_15]

It's possible, but I don't see the absence of one panel clip causing such problems, since there are plenty of studs holding all the pieces in. However, there is a reason why it's not there, assuming you're not the one who lost it. If the whole assembly was removed and never put back properly, the plastic could have warped over time.

Maybe something wrong with the body? Is this normal from the picture below with the red highlight? Also, is that whole center piece from the pic adjustable to your liking if you use mallet(was it intentional to adjust it)?

 

[PlanZero]

That looks suspicious. Do you know if that's the original bumper? It's definitely possible there was damage done there. I had a problem on a previous DSM sunroof that wouldn't stop leaking, because the body had twisted slightly after a fender bender and the sunroof wouldn't sit right. If the left side has the repair, then I assume they hammered too far in just a little to make the other side pop out (?)

 

[SNAKE_15]

That looks suspicious. Do you know if that's the original bumper? It's definitely possible there was damage done there. I had a problem on a previous DSM sunroof that wouldn't stop leaking, because the body had twisted slightly after a fender bender and the sunroof wouldn't sit right. If the left side has the repair, then I assume they hammered too far in just a little to make the other side pop out (?)

It's not the original bumper. I did a 2gb conversion, but even before I still had this problem. It's a clean title car, but Im not sure if it was hit previously before I purchased the car. It dosent look like welds though in person. What should I do?
Edit: the other side has those wrinkles too. I think that's normal..?

 

[PlanZero]

If it were me, before I would do anything drastic or body related, I would buy a bag of washers and add one or two or three as needed behind the studs for the lights and center and see if I could even it all out.

 

[SNAKE_15]

If it were me, before I would do anything drastic or body related, I would buy a bag of washers and add one or two or three as needed behind the studs for the lights and center and see if I could even it all out.

Thanks. I have a local buddy with a 2gb talon and he's bringing it over so I can find any differences. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for staying up to date on my updates