Kaenen wing issues

[Rev Happy]

Has anyone else had trouble aligning the holes on the wing with those on the trunk? I couldn't get them to align perfectly and now one of the top holes on the wing is stripped after trying to screw the bolt in.:cuss: Doesn't really make sense because the wing itself sits perfectly on the car.

 

[Gallows]

When I put my t1 on I had to ream out the holes a bit in the trunk lid to get the bolts lined up.

 

[Tabres]

Can't comment on the having problems with a Kaenen wing as mine is a Saleen piece but this is a good example of why I put studs in my wing instead of using bolts.

Real nice looking car though! Looks like it has an IRS in it?

 

[Gallows]

Real nice looking car though! Looks like it has an IRS in it?

It does look like a IRSop:

 

[amorrow]

I had the same problem. Mine too fit perfectly against the decklid, but the holes were not properly aligned. They sent me a replacement (although never reimbursed me for shipping as promised), and the new wing fit perfectly fine. I'd request a replacement to avoid reworking your defective wing. But for future reference, always test-fit body parts before painting.

 

[wtsn8ke]

MIne fit perfect. Luck of the draw with aftermarket parts i guess.

 

[Tony 96 Cobra]

This is the first I have heard of any complaint with the Kaenen. Great looking car though.

 

[AtlanticCobra98]

mine fit. almost didnt but it worked.

 

[SVT-VNM]

Looks perfect to me!

 

[98 svt]

this is the first i have heard of any complaint with the kaenen. Great looking car though.

+1

 

[svtguy0093]

Has anyone else had trouble aligning the holes on the wing with those on the trunk? I couldn't get them to align perfectly and now one of the top holes on the wing is stripped after trying to screw the bolt in.:cuss: Doesn't really make sense because the wing itself sits perfectly on the car.

Where can i order that wing?

 

[amorrow]

Doesn't really make sense because the wing itself sits perfectly on the car.

I imagine Kaenen installs the mounting threads after the wing itself is formed, and I wonder if there are no pilots or indicators in the mold itself instructing where to drill. This could explain while their mold is capable of consistently producing properly-shaped wings, an opportunity for error still exists when installing the mounting holes.

I was promised the second wing they shipped me would be test-fitted prior to shipment. So considering the second wing they sent me fit against the car just as the first one did, but the holes were aligned precisely with my decklid holes unlike the first wing, it implies either their tolerances are not tight enough wrt bolt pattern, or they simply shipped defective wings in a couple instances.

 

[98 svt]

Kaenan is far superior to all the others. 1 or 2 bad ones is forgiveable. Can you simply elongate the trunk holes a hair to make it fit, or is it way off.

 

[amorrow]

Kaenan is far superior to all the others. 1 or 2 bad ones is forgiveable.

I agree, Kaenen does make the highest-quality S281 I'm aware of, given the bolt holes are aligned properly. But considering feedback you've read or heard is just a sample of Kaenen sales, and three instances of improper hole alignment were mentioned on this forum, they've almost certainly shipped more defective wings.


Anyway....Rev Happy, if you have a significant amount invested in paint and prep on the wing you have now, your best bet is to simply open up the hole(s) in your decklid, and re-tap the mounting hole in your wing if it is stripped or cross-threaded. However, if you don't have much invested in the wing, or you consider it unacceptable to modify your decklid, request a replacement. Kaenen may be unwilling to accept your return since the wing is painted, but I'd argue the fact it's painted is honestly irrelevant to them, considering the type of defect. After all, I doubt it's in their best interest to devote the time and effort to perform such a relatively involved rework procedure on a part they sell for only $200, and more than likely have much less invested in it.

Hopefully your wing is not as misaligned as mine was. With the minimal room for adjustment these wings have, this was the closest I was able to get it. Luckily past experiences with my '65 taught me to test fit before taking it to the body shop!

 

[Rev Happy]

Thankfully, my wing wasn't off that much. Although that one hole is stripped, the bolt is threaded over half way in and the wing is secure and leveled flat on the car. For now I'm just going to leave it, but eventually I'll open up that one hole on the trunk lid and re-tap the hole on the wing. I should have test fitted it before paint, but honestly I've never heard anyone having problems in mounting these wings.

Where can i order that wing?

Got mine from this guy... Saleen s 281 wing 94 95 96 97 98 Ford Mustang by Kaenen:eBay Motors (item 130306381504 end time Jun-12-09 18:33:08 PDT)

Real nice looking car though! Looks like it has an IRS in it?

Thanks, and ya, I put an 03 Cobra IRS in it last year.

 

[MKSVT]

Very nice car, Never herd any issues with kaenen.

 

[BlownCobra32v]

I had no issues with mine, but you should always test fit aftermarket parts prior to paint.

But the car looks great!!

 

[ARdoller]

i just bolted one side down, and stretched the "arm" of the spoiler the extra 1/2" to line up correctly. the spoiler had enough play in it to be able to stretch/bend it slightly without any damage to the paint or material.

 

[NoviBlown92]

Mine fit on my car perfectly as well.

 

[ARdoller]

the biggest frustration with mine, was that unlike the stock spoiler, there were no studs already on the spoiler, so its not like you could just pop it in the holes then just throw some nuts on the underside.... it made it a little more difficult having to hold it in place, and use some 1/4-20x1/2 bolts and washer to hold it on.