PPF is not good enough, you really need helicopter tape. Strut and rollbar. No damage.
Let me preface this by saying I appreciate the feedback and am always looking to improve our products. That being said, I believe your assessment is inaccurate and you likely misunderstand the function and construction of some of the components. I will try to address each as you did.@IAG Performance To get to the point, there are 3 critical issues that need to be re-examined:.
Issue #1: Paint Damage to Lower Roll Bar
Already being addressed with new brackets designed to prevent the bottom struts from rubbing against the roll bar.
Issue #2: Squeaking/Rattling Sounds
These sounds occur because of the amount of upward pressure that the gas struts direct to the top rear bar (w/ the female buckle receivers). The product’s functionality relies on the ’pushing’ pressure of the struts and the ’pulling’ tension of the bungees. The pressure in the gas struts is simply too strong…strong enough to ever-so-slightly change the angle of the support bar running to the top rear bar. The sounds are the result of the struts directing A LOT of pressure toward the top rear bar and things like road vibration, bumps, wind/drag, etc.
At first glance, the obvious solution would be to either (1) slightly lessen the pressure in the gas struts or (2) slightly shorten the length of the strut…but I’m not sure if can you reduce the pressure or length of the gas struts and still maintain the product’s desired functionality?
[NEW]
Issue #3: Definitive Stretching / Possible Separation of Canvas & Crossbar
I don’t think this one’s been reported yet and I think it may only be apparent for those users who have already uninstalled the product. With this product, you push the levers in, the soft top shoots up, and the canvas in this area shoots downward...so given that the canvas is attached to the crossbar via an adhesive strip, my guess is that the quick release pressure is too much for the adhesive strip to handle and that’s why you can see early signs of separation.
I just purchased the EZ Soft Top lift assist last week. According to the rep I spoke to its supposed to ship out next week. Will this include the fix so this does not happen to my Bronco with the soft top all the way down? @IAG PerformanceWARNING
*Update 3* IAG Performance has sent an email out to everyone who purchased a EZ-Lift Soft Top Assist with your options for rectifying the problem. If you didn’t get an email reach out to IAG Performance by email at [email protected] or by phone at 410-840-3555.
*Update 2* Messaged with Adam Kennedy from IAG this morning after taking measurements from the soft top frame and IAG struts to the pillar in all 3 top positions. The measurements showed the soft top frame is centered side to side on the Bronco and that the IAG struts are evenly spaced from the pillars until the top is fully in the down position. That’s when the IAG strut rubs the pillar on the passenger side but is still spaced out on the driver side.
IAG is going to send replacements parts and is refunding the cost of the struts. They offered to send touch up paint and PPF but I’ll be getting the whole vehicle PPFed shortly once my advfiberglass fenders get here so I told them they didn’t need to do that. Also, I’ll be getting touch up today because I don’t want to leave metal exposed that long.
*Update* Adam Kennedy from IAG has reached out to help resolve this and we will be working through it to try and figure out the cause and a resolution for the damage tomorrow. I will update the post with what we find out and decide.
*Original Post* I got my Bronco last Thursday (3/10) and my IAG Struts arrived on Saturday (3/12) so I of course eagerly put them on my Bronco the same day. They went on great with easy to follow instructions and I was loving using them. That is until tonight when I started hearing a rattling noise on the passenger side rear of my Bronco. I went back to try and find the source of the noise to find that the IAG struts had been rubbing against the D pillar (arms over the rear of the bronco). In fact they had rubbed clean through the paint on both my Bronco and the strut.
My initial thought was surely the strut had bent or something was loose and causing it to be out of alignment but I thoroughly inspected it and there is nothing bent, angled wrong, moving irregularly, or loose. Also, the driver side is not rubbing at all and has a healthy gap between it and the D pillar. I don’t know what caused this whether the bracket it mounts to is angled slightly different or what but there is nothing from the top itself even contacting the strut other than at the attachment points.
I really hope @IAG Performance makes this right by paying to have the paint fixed on my Bronco. Unfortunately, their customer service is closed all weekend so I won’t be able to reach them until Monday morning most likely. Also, their website says “Our liability shall under no circumstances exceed the actual amount paid by you for the product, nor shall we under any circumstances be liable for any consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages or losses, whether direct or indirect.” So unless they stand up and do the right thing I will be out of luck.
I made this post right away so others wouldn’t fall victim to my same situation. If you have these installed already, check to see if they are close to your paint when the top is in the down position.
I will update y’all when I get an answer from IAG on how they are going to handle this.
They said that anything shipped after 3-18-22 (I believe that was the date) will have the new brackets, so you’re good…
Let me preface this by saying I appreciate the feedback and am always looking to improve our products. That being said, I believe your assessment is inaccurate and you likely misunderstand the function and construction of some of the components. I will try to address each as you did.
#1
As previously discussed, variations in both the installation and function of the top certainly cause some issues with a small percentage of users. This issue is being resolve with a bracket that moves the gas strut much farther from the body. The result leaves much more tolerance and forgiveness in the event the top doesn't fold up correctly or wasn't installed or manufactured as others. While I am very sorry that it did damage, we are making every effort to do right by the community and make everyone happy with replacement brackets, touch up paint and additional PPF when needed.
#2
Shortening the strut won't have any effect on what you believe the issue is. The strut in the position you are describing is in the middle (not exactly but you get the point) of its stroke/operating range. This strut moves both directions from that static point. Upward when releasing the latches to access the cargo area, and downward (compressed) to lower the top. To further explain the function or intention of certain components, the Bungees are there for 2 reasons. The first is to pull the top towards the rear to aid in the folding of the top when it is put all the way down. Otherwise, we have found that you have to help that section as you lower the top so it doesn't bunch up and make it difficult to lower the top. The second purpose, is that when you put (a very little amount) of pressure on the center support bar in the rear direction, the result is the top is pushed upwards (this point is very important as I explain #3). That upwards movement actually aids in slightly reducing the rear side window wrinkling. While it certainly isn't a "fix", it does help. (more on that later as we work towards a solution)
The struts are not directing "A LOT" of pressure. In fact in our testing, reducing the pressure in the gas spring by even 25N per side meant that the product doesn't function the way everyone would want and certainly not for it's intended use. That being said, we have been driving our test vehicle for the last few days to attempt to recreate the noise a few have described. If anyone is in the area and their Bronco is exhibiting this noise, I not only welcome you to reach out, but I will offer to compensate you for your time so we can get a closer look. I am certainly not suggesting that there can't be a problem, we just haven't been able to recreate it.
#3
This is not anything that anyone has reported. The flap you are referring to is not attached to the top with adhesive and what you are seeing is residue that has transfered from the flap to the top because of overspray. It isn't any separation at all. The flap is STICHED to the top at the seam (not glued), and then wrapped around the bar. It is secured to the bar with rivets and in order for it to stay tight to the bar in between the rivets, they spray adhesive on the flap. Again what you are seeing is adhesive that was left on the bar or the end of the flap that has transferred onto the top. There isn't ANY separation happening. Additionally (as I hinted earlier), the (very tiny) amount of tension that is put on that bar is in the UPWARD (and rear) direction pushing the bar against the top, not pulling it away. If anything that might be why you are now seeing the transfer of adhesive. But this shouldn't be mistaken for separation.
I hope that further explains the function of everything. In the meantime we will continue to try to recreate the noise that has been reported by a few people and determine if the EZ lift is the reason for it or if we are experiencing another problem that is related but not caused by the system. Again, thank you for the feedback.
thanks for this reply, it helps because we know there is not another issue, had you not replied i would have still held slight skepticism towards manufacturers respnse!!
You will 100% receive the updated system. They should be shipping very early next week.
I understand your concern, but I assure you we take this stuff very seriously. We certainly want to address any and all concerns. We just have to be careful about "noise" (figuratively). We are dealing with a questionable top and a questionable assembly, so our approach must be systematic.
Not to mention, we are dealing with a folding canvas convertible top. There are so many variables at play, with lots of moving parts, different materials rubbing together, various frequency vibrations due to tires, road conditions, etc.
Believe me I fully understand and appreciate how you all are handling this, I have the strut and received the email. I also work for a manufacturer and deal with product issues (rarely, lol) so I meant no disrespect, only that you of course have a very thin line you must walk especially when you put things in writing! I'm not worried ,I'll wait for the fix!! Thanks for your attention on this!
