Qs re Bose speakers and window rust

[OneTimePoster]

Bose speakers. I've read a number of times that folks say Bose will replace blown front speaker/amps in addition to the recalled rears (in affected Q45s). Local dealer doesn't, so can somebody tell me exactly how I go about doing this with Bose. I've been trying to contact them for close to a month, nobody returns my calls, all the Bose employees are really not humans but actually voicemail machines, and I'm getting frustrated so very explicit directions (something more than the toll free number) or past experiences would be really appreciated.

Also what are those round metal things near the top corner of rear windows of an early Q, and what do I do if they are rusted.

[Q451990]

Check out this thread on the Bose rebuilds. The contact information is in there.

As far as the window retainers, they can be replaced, but there are many tiny screws in the door track area that are very easy to strip out (or so I've been told). I taped off one of mine and sanded it really well. Sprayed it with some Locktite Extend (available at Lowe's for about $5) - it's the best rust inhibitor I've found. Then a couple of primer coats and a coat or two of satin black paint. My repair has held up since 1997...

Heath

[OneTimePoster]

Nope, it actually does not have the information.

I have called the 800 number it lists every day for essentially a month.

I need the name of a PERSON at that number who knows about rebuilding the fronts for free along with the rears (which have been recalled) and will give me the RMA #. (unless that person is patty bolack for whom I have left message after message after message after message after.....I am convinced she is not a real person, just some made up ruse from a couple o'guys in Idaho to collect a paycheck from Bose).

You have no idea how frustrated I am. A month. Every bloody day.

Thanks for the other tip.

[DougQ45]

Keep trying. She is a real person--along with another lady there name Marilyn who helped me on my front speakers. Tactfully insist on holding until you speak to someone, try calling early AM---phone bullies probably get nowhere. They DO NOT DO IT FOR FREE like the post's say, but I paid a low price of $49 to refurbish the front right amp. It now works like a champ!!

[OneTimePoster]

OK, I've got two Qs -- BOTH of which are covered by recall. Both front speakers (as well as 3/4 of the rear speakers) are not working in both cars. I've been without sound for over a year because I did not know of the recall and cannot afford what you suggest -- candidly for one amp your price aint so bad. For 4 amps it is worth more than the car.

CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME WHO AT BOSE TOOK CARE OF THE FRONT AMPS TOO FOR FREE UNDER THE RECALL. This has been mentioned in so many threads so many times that surely somebody can help out?

BTW, I've never been a phone bully. And every day going through the same rigamarole. "I already left a message for patty this morning. Is there anybody else? Well is there anybody who would know WHO I should talk to you. Nope, that person just have voice mail. Can I speak to a real person? Etc."

[Q451990]

I looked back in my invoices and the contact I have is Mariln Perron at 1-800-231-2673. This is from the RMA notice that they mailed to me - I trashed my actual telephone notes a long time ago. I think I called Clarion first, and then they referred me to this number. If I recall correctly, I had to leave a voice mail and they called back in a day or so. Maybe your contact is on vacation? I definately got the impression that this department didn't do a lot of volume.

The bottom of the RMA page shows this information as well:

Bose CorporationThe MountainFramingham, MA 01701-9168TEL: 508-879-7330FAX: 508-766-7543

Although I have a 90Q I have the 91 system installed (bought it all from someone else who went aftermarket cheap and the rear amps were new) so I told them I had a 91Q. In any case it was free! Maybe the policy changed since then, but actually it was Marilyn that made me aware of the free rebuilds - I was just calling for a price quote... they even paid the return freight so my total cost was $7.76 to ship them out. If you finally get a real person and they tell you they've never repaired fronts at no charge, let me know and I'll get you my old RMA number and they can look that up in the system or tell them the code for the repair charge was "26283." I did all of this in June of 2002.

Heath

[Jberger]

According to the BOSE reps I spoke with, only the 91's are covered in any recall and the recall only covers the rear speakers.

Bose will refurb speakers from any year, but it's a FOR FEE service. So while someone might occasionally get luck with a rep who is leniant, it's not company policy.

Besides the speakers are WELL outside the warranty period, so if you want them to fix the fronts, then you'll have to pay for it.

[Q451990]

Not what I was told... their stance was that since consumers were aware of fire issues on the rears, they would cover rebuilds on the fronts as well. It's just too hard to convince the customer that they don't have the same defect.

This is only on the recall years though... I tried later on my 90 system and they again acknolodged the free rebuilds on the fronts for the recalled models, but said it would be $75 for the 90 since it wasn't a part of the recall.

It was company policy as of May and June 2002... I'm not sure if it is now or not, but it should definately be clarified. I'd like to know if or when the policy changed.

Heath

[natsoundup]

Heath, et al...

I have a 90Q. I talked to Tim Tingley several months ago..he patched me through to the person to get the RMA.

I had a nice conversation with Tim about Bose in general...at the time he said he would he what he could do about getting them done for me.

The bottom line is I sent all 4 back...and they came back to me with new speakers and amps. All for free. They even picked up the return shipping.

I don't know if I was lucky or not... my car was built 12/89, I believe.

I wish I could do the same for my air conditioning compressor, which blew out a few weeks ago...

Heath, I still haven't forgotten about the a/c switch...

90Q 155k

[Q451990]

Good deal-I've never heard of a free rebuild on the 90 amps you got great service! No problem on the A/C controller... I still have your tag holder sitting in the spare bedroom... If I take Q2 to Atlanta, in the near future, maybe I'll take I26 to I85 instead of I20 and stop through Greenville.

Heath

[fxjackso]

It's easy to replace those buttons. Use a hacksaw blade to saw a slot for a large screwdriver into the button. It's a lot easier than it sounds, since the glass is curved, and the metal is soft. Then, the outside unscrews, leaving the anchor. Clean the window and install the new one. You can hand tighten it and it will be fine. The "buttons" are very inexpensive. The replacements do not seem to rust as easily.

Hats off to the parts manager at Douglas Infiniti in Summit NJ for this tip, many years ago.

[Q451990]

Great info!

Heath

[Q45Viper]

The 92 rears are covered I had mine done at the dealer. Great info. on the door buttons or whatever they are called.