I had the F-type R for a year and a half and for the longest time I could not find the source of a rattling at high speed above 70mph that was driving me nuts. Finally the day has arrived when I decided enough is enough 😆

 

Well, that one goes into the WTF who would have thunk folder eh?

 

Wow. Would have never figured that one out on my own. Who would have thought it was that rubber trim being unglued... not even that, but the factory forgetting to peel that protective film off so it would adhere in place... wow...

 

I wanted to re-align the passenger/right side headlight assembly, as it was protruding 'proud' of the fender. The bolts are behind two plugs in the wheel well. To my surprise, there were NO bolts there. never had been, as there was no paint scrapings to indicate they'd been in there at any point.

 

Yes WTF big time 😆

 

I noticed the same things several years ago, but I think that plastic you peeled off isn't actually the protective layer, but part of the "double-stick" tape itself. My reasoning is based on a couple of things: it's not especially sticky and will end up detaching again, and that I have a pair of branch new pieces waiting for me to install them. The protective strip is much heavier, and blue.

Also note that if you have disturbed those pieces you should make sure the clips are fully snapped down. There are three clips across the top and two on each side, and they have rubbers seals around them. I only have the hatch supports left to disconnect before I'll get the old pieces out, but I think my water leaks were at those clips.

 

It's definitely the protective plastic, There's no signs on the metal that it was ever sticking to it. All sealed as new now and very sticky when plastic is removed . Just don't forget to clean off the dirt on the metal with rubbing alcohol.

 

I was convinced of the same at the time. I hope your long-term results are better than mine. You're likely to fare better in that your car is garaged. Perhaps the replacements have a better rubber compound. Fingers crossed ...

EDIT: Not that I didn't have a few QC issues with my car. I had the headlight bolts Valerie mentions fall out, some the clips not seated on some seals on the door, and incorrect badging on the rear, which gave me a RWD V6S 6MT AWD R. One of a kind!

 

Wow 😆 it appears to quality control is getting better jk. Honestly my 2008 XKR headlights look way better look like brand new actually and my F-Type with 17k miles fogs up like crazy and has mini cracking going on , disappointing to say the least

 

Mine were minor fit-and-finish issues. The wrong badges on the rear were worth a giggle, but no harm done. My headlights are a different matter, but that's a different class of problem, as are the "finisher panels" pieces in the rear. My car lives outside in the California sun, but I wish I'd put UV-protective film on them when the car was new. Polycarbonate does not fare well in that environment. The rubber bonded to the finishers was a poor choice, so I'd call that design, not QC.

 

Great job Alex, this same thing has been happening to me since buying the car in 2018. like you I was focused and convinced it was that piece of trim around side back window. Who'd a thunk it was the weather stripping in the hatch.