Quality Control Period
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
Joined
·
17,551 Posts
Based on my NCM tour: In addition to the checks that are done all along the production route, the finished Stingray is pulled into an area with bright lights to go over the entire body and check the paint as well as fit and finish. Next the car is driven over large rumble strips and driven onto a dyno. There it is hooked up and run through a number of rpm run ups, braking, etc. I think I remember several hundred electronic tests were run while on the dyno. While running the tests the car is run up to 70 mph. If any of the electronic tests don't pass the car is pulled and sent for repair. After that the car is run into a high pressure 360 degree wash to check for leaks. If all passes then it is taken out for a test track run. Cars are going for a NCM delivery are then put in a hold for 10 to 14 days. This period is to hopefully insure any issue with a part in a specific batch on that car surfaces from other tests that are run. If there is a problem it is replaced before the car is released for Museum delivery to the owner. Cars going to the dealer have a natural 'hold' as a result of the transportation to the respective dealer and again, if there is a problem, the part is replaced at the dealer or the car is not released until a replacement part arrives.
Joined
·
18,694 Posts
Great info "jsvette," lots of good details. That describes the typical/average quality hold that all StingRays go through really, really well!!!
There are two special quality holds that can also happen -- but only on special occasions or for randomly selected cars. First, every GM plant throughout the world, every single day, randomly selects three or more vehicles for a "customer quality audit." This involves a team of five individuals spending usually, a total 25 hours going over those cars randomly selected for that audit. It involves at least an eight mile drive to "road test" the vehicle. This audit involves two focuses. First is a generalized check list review to ensure that all plant assembly procedures work properly executed within specification; second, it is a specialized review of every problem found in previous quality control reviews that needs to be double checked. For example, if it was recently found that there's a better way of installing a specific option, then they would specifically check to make sure that that specific option on the car was installed consistent with the newly adopted procedure.
Second, with each new model, there is a special quality hold to insure that the new model was built exactly as desired, exactly per spec. For example, there was a four week quality hold on the first StingRays assembled last August/September, and there will probably be a two week quality control hold, maybe even a four week quality hold, on the new Z06's before the first ones are customer released.
There are two special quality holds that can also happen -- but only on special occasions or for randomly selected cars. First, every GM plant throughout the world, every single day, randomly selects three or more vehicles for a "customer quality audit." This involves a team of five individuals spending usually, a total 25 hours going over those cars randomly selected for that audit. It involves at least an eight mile drive to "road test" the vehicle. This audit involves two focuses. First is a generalized check list review to ensure that all plant assembly procedures work properly executed within specification; second, it is a specialized review of every problem found in previous quality control reviews that needs to be double checked. For example, if it was recently found that there's a better way of installing a specific option, then they would specifically check to make sure that that specific option on the car was installed consistent with the newly adopted procedure.
Second, with each new model, there is a special quality hold to insure that the new model was built exactly as desired, exactly per spec. For example, there was a four week quality hold on the first StingRays assembled last August/September, and there will probably be a two week quality control hold, maybe even a four week quality hold, on the new Z06's before the first ones are customer released.
Joined
·
1,338 Posts
Do they do this to every car? I cannot imagine that because I have so many body panel issues I am noticing now?????? I just noticed my passenger door does not shut flush when closed, it is like 2 mm out as if i did not slam the door hard enough?
Joined
·
156 Posts
Years ago I went on several factory tours of the York PA Harley Davidson Factory in 1984 & 1985 They introduced a new engine in 1984 and they followed a procedure very similar to what the Corvette factory is doing with the dyno and all that, but they went further and would run every 35th motorcycle produced throughout the production run on a test track out back for 25 miles then bring it in and completely disassemble and inspect it. They would look for any infant failure modes. A little overkill so it might seem, but it completely turned H-D's quality issues around at the time.
Joined
·
7,935 Posts
Steve, I was wondering about that with the problem you've had with your Vette. Did the dealer square away your situation?
SF
Rick
SF
Rick
Joined
·
17,551 Posts
Every car coming off the line when I was there went through the same procedure including the pre-production Verts that were just beginning to be built but not released to the public at the time.Do they do this to every car? I cannot imagine that because I have so many body panel issues I am noticing now?????? I just noticed my passenger door does not shut flush when closed, it is like 2 mm out as if i did not slam the door hard enough?
Joined
·
4,656 Posts
That is the same thing we saw, every car goes through the process, none are exempt. I too noticed that the rear of both doors on our museum delivered car are not perfectly flush with the rear quarter panels and I didn't notice it until I got home so I believe it's either by design or something takes a set after a while that causes the gap. I haven't decided if it's enough to ask the dealer to take a look, I hate having a dealership mechanic wrench on my car for something so minor. It may be a simple latch adjustment I can do myself. It's interesting because I saw the QC guys using feeler gauges on each and every car going through final QC on the line which leads me to believe its by design.
Sent from my iPad using Corvette Stingray Forum
Joined
·
162 Posts
Do they do this to every car? I cannot imagine that because I have so many body panel issues I am noticing now?????? I just noticed my passenger door does not shut flush when closed, it is like 2 mm out as if i did not slam the door hard enough?
Could it be that the body is not solid enough to handle the car's torque?
I remember when I had a 2000 Camaro SS and it began to have this issue after several launches and a few races at the Las Vegas track. I then installed a stabilizer bar in the engine compartment and on the bottom sides to provide the solid strength it needed to prevent these issues.
Does anyone know if the C7 has the solid requirements for launch and racing rigidity?
Joined
·
4,656 Posts
The body panels on the C7 are not structural, they are hung/attached to the chassis. You could remove all the body panels on the C7 and it would have no effect on it's structural integrity.
Joined
·
1,338 Posts
No, the dealer did not fix my panel issue after having my car for 4 days, he said there are no adjustment bolts. I am now exploring my next move?
Joined
·
7,935 Posts
Steve, it reads like the dealer had it for four days and didn't touch it, time to move up the chain of command Chevrolet Customer Care. Hope all is resolved in this matter.
SF
Rick
Joined
·
1,447 Posts
I also have body panel alignment issues. The dealer spent 8 hours on my car but were unable to get proper alignment. They said they are ordering a new rear fascia. I was surprised when I saw the alignment issue because I also took the factory tour and watched them check panel alignments with a feeler gauge.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Corvette Stingray Forum mobile app
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Corvette Stingray Forum mobile app
Joined
·
1,338 Posts
I am on the phone with a GM specialist right now who has taken my information down and will be contacting the dealer and investigate. I asked for her name which is Selina, I asked her last name and she says they cannot give that information out for safety reasons. WTF?
Joined
·
17,551 Posts
The fact she would not provide you with her last name is normal and no reason to get exercised smajicek. Sometimes they will when pressed provide a reference number. I presume you asked her to note your information down in your file. You have her first name, the number you called and the time and date of your call as documentation should you need it.
Joined
·
18,694 Posts
Steve, sections 13.1-13.3 of your Owners Manual sets forth the progressive steps toward resolution. Sorry your local dealer was a total failure. Good luck getting your panel fixed quickly!
Joined
·
18,694 Posts
It is a dyno set of rollers, that takes the car up to 80 MPH and back to zero in 30 seconds, and tests 70 different things during that short time period.
Joined
·
1,338 Posts
thanks John, I am on step 2 of 3 spoke with the GM Specialist who will be contacting the dealer and created a case number for me. here are some more new body panels in the rear not right and I want them fixed....
Joined
·
1,447 Posts
My rear panels have the exact same deformity. Dealer could not adjust so they are going to replace.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Corvette Stingray Forum mobile app
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
