Looking for assistance from LG Silver Shadow owners

[rpassmore42]

First, thanks for allowing me to join this forum. I'm the relatively happy owner of a 2014 LG 5x10 Silver Shadow. I've already begun the process of modifying and (hopefully) improving the design for my personal needs. I've run into a bit of a snag over the installation of window shades purchased from the LG Tear Drop Shop. The shades arrived without installation instructions, which looks like a continuing issue in that at least one reviewer of this item noted likewise. Of somewhat less annoyance was that 4 screws were missing that are required to install the tensioning brackets at the bottom. I know this because I watched the YouTube video that LG produces. They had more screws than I received. The video is helpful but not great in that it doesn't show details for mounting the shade top rail to the metal brackets.

I've gone back and forth with Verna over there on the LG forum about getting this problem solved. She would like me to wait to talk to the store on Monday. I told her I work M-F and would have preferred to get some help from fellow owners over the weekend. It's my impression that the LG forum is less about DIY and more about just sharing stories about camping and traveling. And don't get me started about hijacking threads. I'm hoping for more success over here. As a side note, I own a '97 Mazda Miata and I'm relatively active on Miata.net, which to my mind is an excellent example of a very engaged and helpful user community.

But I disgress...My issue at this point is trying to insert my shades into the clips which I believe I've mounted correctly, based on the video. The aluminum top rail should just push into the clips but after applying fairly strong pressure, I'm not making progress. I stopped before I bent or broke something. Are there any LG owners over here who have successfully installed these shades? It's Sunday night, so I'm not going to get this done without talking to LG but I wanted to test the waters over here to see if you guys are into problem solving. Thanks for listening.

[Verna]

Well, if I ordered something and didn't get the instructions and parts, I would go back to the source to get what I paid for. A lot of people work M-F but they take care of their business that needs to be taken care of. The experts in the factory are always willing to help, but you need to reach out to them. 5:30 am to 3:30 pm Eastern time M-F are their hours.

[Vedette]

Welcome to the TnTTT Forum!
This too, can be a very Fun & Helpful Forum.
BUT! Like other Forums, it is only what you make it!
Taking out your frustrations, and impatience on others in your "first" post on the Forum, may not have been the best start.
Good Luck with your shade problem.
Brian

[wincrasher]

rpass -

As you've learned, that forum is not really a forum, but a marketing extension of LG. They don't want anything that smacks of dissatisfaction posted. I don't really waste my time anymore participating, as I don't care to deal with anything being taken the wrong way. Most of the members are newbies anyways, so you've probably come to the right place to get some technical advice.

In this case, I'd try sending the LG store an email saying you are missing the screws and install instructions. You really should not proceed without a sketch or template showing where it is safe to tap your screws. It may be OK to put them anywhere, but it's hard to undo if you are wrong.

I've had hit or miss on calling them. On a few occasions, the president of the company has answered the phone. He's a nice guy and will most likely help you out right away if you get thru to him. So I'd email first, and then try to call.

Oh, and it you want to check out a cool Miata, check out my blog below. I have a few postings about it and show it in my T@G video.

[rpassmore42]

Thanks. I have kind of figured that out about the LG site, very protective of the brand. Which is why I contrasted that approach to Miata.net which has many corporate sponsors but is also open to critical feedback.

In my case, I did email the LG store but didn't get a reply yet. I can go buy 4 screws but that's not really the point here. If you buy a product, it should include everything needed to instal it. This has somehow turned into my bad attitude for mildly complaining. I will attempt a call but I'm on the road until Friday, wish me luck.

In the meantime, still looking for feedback from anyone who has installed these shades. I just need to know how much pressure is needed to seat the channel in the clip.

[rpassmore42]

Very nice Miata by the way! I'm driving a '97 NA. White with gun metal Chapparels. My winter car is a MKVI Jetta. Our TV is a Volvo C30. My plan is to swap the NA and Jetta for a PRHT like yours and drive it year round. We're downsizing to a condo with only 2 parking spots so I need to get creative with my car choices. We're not sure yet where we'll store the teardrop.

[rpassmore42]

Update - talked to Elsie at LG. She confirmed that the shades require quite a bit of force to seat into the bracket. That is also kind of implied in the LG installation video although not explicitly. She confirmed that there are no printed instructions available, just the video. She also offered to send some screws if I couldn't find any locally.

I'll try to mount these shades one more time this weekend. Maybe I can use a clamp or something to seat them into place so I don't accidentally pull the screws out of the wall trying to force them.