wheelswithinwheels

Just a heads-up anyone wanting to achieve this badass wicker look!!

Bit the bullet and dropped $$ for ACS wickers.

Was not inclined, at all, to drill on my brand new ride. However, its a necessary evil to obtain the C7 wicker look, (thnx GM for leaving these off/sarcasm)

Anyway, I watched every video i could find prior to the install to ensure I didnt run across any hiccups - Well, I did.

After lining everything up perfectly (as good as possible) and drilled the holes for rivets, I pushed the rivets in so they would sit flush with underside of wicker. The rivet WILL NOT sit flush with underside of wicker. Rivet is too long as the length of the rivet head prevents that from happening as it hits the inside of the top of the spoiler. Wtf!

Attempted to call ACS but Saturday and nobody home. Arggh

I figured it out myself that the rivet pulls in flush as it is crimped but man that would have been nice to know prior. It wasnt even close but it pulled in- not as tight as I would have liked it with a positive feel on rivet gun as rivet pops. Trying to get a bad/misplaced rivet out of plastic is daunting so it would have helped to know this as the video from ACS does not address this.

My problems didn't end there.

Since the rivets are too long it takes 3 to 5 pulls on the rivet gun to break off nail part of rivet. ACS supplied 7 rivets for the six holes to be drilled into spoiler. 3 rivets failed IMMEDIATELY upon 1 pull of rivet gun (huh?!!!)
LUCKILY they all broke with 1 pull so the rivet did not expand fully and I was able to extract both while I sweated it like a pig. NOT FUN pulling rivets out-of plastic on a 100k$+ car!!!!
man, im still frantic over that part.

Additional calls to ACS unanswered. Left me hanging. I paid a premium for a nice product with **** hardware that has put me in a lurch.
Just really disappointed this happened. Even researched online why rivets break and it is either the rivet is inferior or the rivet gun.
So, prior to attempting install, I had already purchased a new gun as I didn't want to rely on my pops 50+ yr old (perfect) rivet gun. (Both rivet guns worked flawlessly on rivets i practiced on). So, it's the rivets.

If anyone is.on the fence about this mod please be aware of my experience here.
this stuff should not happen. It's like paying good money to get your *** kicked lol


Ps awaiting a call back from ACS but not counting on it as I gave them a piece of my mind online w/ nastygrams.
Big $ item
No support
**** /wrong hardware

Now since I prob won't hear from them (my online messages to ACS blocked from going through lol cmon really) I have to source rivets to complete this job. Just wonderful

I will follow-up on this post

BlaznZ06

I had zero problems with the ACS Wickers.
Went on without a hitch.

sTz

I plan on doing the same mod eventually, so good to know about the rivets. Funny, anytime I ever have an issue w/anything, hot water tank, AC, furnace, etc., it’s always after-hours on a Friday, and often includes holiday weekends. Any pics of your completed project?

wheelswithinwheels

I'm sorry no pics of the rivets not sitting flush in order to install.
I was so stressed to come across this issue that photos were the last thing on my mind. However, I did want to send ACS photos of the too long rivets but I couldn't get in touch with anyone so I just left vm's.
That problem didnt prepare me for the next issue - rivets breaking with very little pull on them (1pull -snap!)
i did however take a couple photos of the wickers on and the one photo showing the two missing rivets.
another project ! Arghh

wheelswithinwheels

Glad to hear no nightmare for you.

When you got to the part of pushing the rivets into the fresh-drilled 3/16" holes, were you surprised, in the least anyway , that you could not/not able to, push rivets home into holes flush to get a good parallel bite with head of rivet gun?

The rivets breaking were even more of a surprise/nonsense. Aluminum shank broke so easily.
Dont know if these off-the-shelf item but need to be black and match, ugggh Fffffffsss

BlaznZ06

I had no issues.

Vetteman Jack

Tough break that the rivets gave you so much trouble. I agree that when you pay a premium for a product, you do expect to be able to install it with no problems.

MarkMeHopeful

The ACS wickers were one of the very first mods I installed on my C8. I had absolutely no problem with the install. That was about 18 months ago - maybe they changed the rivets they ship?

22c8z51

Am I the only one who hasn't heard of wickers? I'm still not sure what they are.

wayback

ACS shipped me a complete set of additional pop rivets for my C7 when I messed up on two of them.
Then when my son’s new to him C7 was stolen and totaled before we could install the ACS products they helpfully agreed to a refund without the normal restocking fee. Great customer service both times for me.

Were you calling during their business hours?
I have some extra painted rivets from my rocker install I can send you. What size do you need?

Jettcity1

I want these wickers, I think they look great and eventually I'll end up ordering a set.
What kind of puller is everyone using and is a "Harbor Freight" hand-type puller adequate?

Vega$Vette

My guess is the broken rivets were due to user error not bad rivets.

Rhino5six

It’s the little black dudes attached to the spoiler

Vega$Vette

Why?

BlaznZ06

Looks
But designed for racing to increase down force.

jost6453

I did not use the rivets. I NEVER use rivets. I countersunk the hoes in the wickers and installed #8 taper head screws painted black. Totally invisible from the back.

sTz

That’s a good idea. The winglets on my C7Z were bolted on w/tape. The ACS C8 winglets have the recessed rivet locations. Did you further recess the pre-drilled holes? Any pics?

DFA

Could you show us a picture of the #8 Taper head screws..... I'm not sure what they are..
Thanks

sTz

Here’s what self-tapping screws look like:

gmarcucio

I didn't have any problem installing mine on my C8. The rivets stick out and not flush with the wicker when you first install them into the hole. As you pump the rivet gun and the rivet begins to collapse inside you need to have constant pressure on the rivet pushing it in straight. The rivet needs to go in straight and not cocked (even if you have to have someone else eying the rivet to guide you as you install) or the rivet will break prematurely before it seats properly. If it is not straight or it is not pushed in all of the way as you pump the rivet gun the rivet will break off before it is seated properly. Also, just in case, you might want to be prepared and order an extra set of rivets when you order the wickers.