Fair warning Steeda so called premium clamps ...🙄

[25Raptor]

I feel sad for you. Hopefully someday you'll realize what grace is, and how to show it.

You feel sad for me - how touching.

People get grace when it’s deserved there is no deserving with them, actually I’m about to do a partial CC dispute on the clamp money, stand by Steeda-.

Like the other fellow stated these mopes responded like I figured they would defensive, I’m not surprised.

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[Starship Enterprise]

If it was me, I would make one more attempt to contact Steeda CS, show them the pics and get a refund at the least on those clamps. Disputing a CC purchase with the CC is the last option. Because you usually need to show proof that you tried to resolve the issue with the seller.

One last thought is ...I think the Steeda recommended torque spec of 55 lb ft is pretty high for those bolts. They don't look like they could handle over 40.

Overall I am not impressed with Steeda CS as they presented themselves on this board. If they are too stupid to realize they might have tanked thousands of dollars of potential sales based on a $65 clamp package, they shouldn't plan on getting my business.

Good luck!

 

[Gojiras breath]

Looks like a bad design from what i can see. But i can't see it all. Please tell me it has a square hole and a squared area under the bolt like a carriage bolt.

 

[smurfslayer]

In short I have to do a complete RE INSTALL going to put the new clamps on and take it to my local muffler shop and have everything welded - enough of this BS and Steeda shit inferior products...

Long story short - Steeda clamps suck and don't waste your time with clamps weld the pipes and be done with it

Thanks for the heads up. Apologies if I missed it, but besides posting your thread here, did you call them and ask for help?

Did you inform/call Steeda?

Just curious if you did, what was their reaction.

exactly.

We specify these clamps and source them directly from a third-party supplier. They've proven to be highly reliable, with very few instances of failing to meet our standards.

We manufacture our Steeda products to the highest standards with high-quality materials - we don't cut corners.

I will send this to our buying team for feedback.

Thank you,

TJ

appreciate the response. Ish. Maybe engage user by PM and attempt to make the situation right. I wouldn't engage further in this thread.

Your clamps and couplers are junk, bolts are low grade and stretch and strip - send it to your buyer "the little Chinese guy" on the corner in Hong Kong ...

And this post is why I wouldn't respond any further, were I a customer service type.

wouldn't want any bolts or clamps from them under any circumstances free or otherwise... they are pure junk, and I mean low grade garbage. I would take a refund on the purchase price I paid at the behest of the salesman telling me they were their "Premium Clamps" and that's what I needed cause the clamps sold with the unit were not up to par.

Interesting how the clamps that come with the H-Pipe are what he called prone to failure, talk me into another $65 and those clamps FAILED ...!!! They shouldn't be selling or giving clamps that are junk for free or for $$$ - period ... Most importantly is this - if you put their clamps on your exhaust they are one and done - can't be adjusted and will more then likely have to be Sawzalled off...

Correct response from a company as big as this with sales as huge as they have - should be something like this: "We are sorry to see you had problems with our products, seeing the pictures of the defective product has us concerned, please contact support to discuss a refund or other alternative solutions, thank you and sorry for the issues"

Well, if you want the most correct response from the vendor, maybe think about the most correct way to elicit that most correct response. Sniping on the internet isn't the correct way.

I'd be hot too, nobody likes exhaust work. Ok, maybe some exhaust shop workers, but I can't think of an end user enthusiastically waking up one Saturday and saying out loud "I'm going to move that H pipe 1" to the driver's side so it's perfectly aligned under the car, that will be fun!"

Yeah and nobody in human history has said "I'm really looking forward to re-doing my exhaust install after spending 6 hours on it yesterday and finding I have defecting clamp."
Kind of like swapping the lenses on a Baja Designs light, those bolts securing the lenses are the handiwork of Satan.

Anyway, the thing is, you had a bad buying / install experience. You can complain about it here or go repair it and report back what you had to do and why. Then, contact Steeda and try to work something out.

I re-read their post and saw NO concern for customer satisfaction. Their post was 100% defensive.. Defensive of crap product. Talk about doubling down....on themselves!

And you wouldn't be? I'd have sent the user a PM and then responded in the thread with "I sent you a PM, please reach out when time permits". Because there's no reasoning with someone who's only in the 2nd stage of grief.

If it was me, I would make one more attempt to contact Steeda CS, show them the pics and get a refund at the least on those clamps

Ditto.

Disputing a CC purchase with the CC is the last option. Because you usually need to show proof that you tried to resolve the issue with the seller.

One last thought is ...I think the Steeda recommended torque spec of 55 lb ft is pretty high for those bolts. They don't look like they could handle over 40.

Overall I am not impressed with Steeda CS as they presented themselves on this board. If they are too stupid to realize they might have tanked thousands of dollars of potential sales based on a $65 clamp package, they shouldn't plan on getting my business.

Correct about the dispute. You need evidence you tried to negotiate with the vendor. I just did this last week. The vendor admitted fault and promised a refund but did not follow through. Charge reversed. That said, they did challenge me for proof.

I guarantee you this post will eventually get lost in the ether after a few weeks and people will be right back to buying from Steeda. By and large, they have been a solid vendor.
OP is venting - rightly so. What a Pain in the back, neck, headache, knuckle buster and waste of time. Sometimes you need to blow off steam.

Afterwards is when you attack the problem and drive to a resolution.

 

[25Raptor]

Looks like a bad design from what i can see. But i can't see it all. Please tell me it has a square hole and a squared area under the bolt like a carriage bolt.

No Sir, not a square hole or a square carriage bolt, round all the way, the almost rounded top of the bolt and the strength of the bolts are the issues. At the very least the top of the bolts should have been a lot more oblong than the almost rounded tops which seat into a weak stamped steel channel caused the issue of the spinning head one of the big problems. The top of the bolts just spin in the weak channel. As you try to remove the bottom nut to fix the leaking the top spins in the weak channel cutting an indentation in the weak channel making the bolt just spin and spin. Also, like the other fellow stated - the torque spec is high which probably caused stretching of the bolt and eventually led to all the other issues.

 

[Frogdog1]

Why the fuck does this thread even exist, is the real question.

 

[25Raptor]

A little clarity Mr. Smurf I never asked for nor did I solicit a response from Steeda.

And Frogwhatever, I’ll be sure to ask you before I post again, make sure it’s ok with you

 

[tj@steeda]

Please work through your sales professional as that is the proper channel to request additional support.

Best,

TJ

 

[25Raptor]

If it was me, I would make one more attempt to contact Steeda CS, show them the pics and get a refund at the least on those clamps. Disputing a CC purchase with the CC is the last option. Because you usually need to show proof that you tried to resolve the issue with the seller.

One last thought is ...I think the Steeda recommended torque spec of 55 lb ft is pretty high for those bolts. They don't look like they could handle over 40.

Overall I am not impressed with Steeda CS as they presented themselves on this board. If they are too stupid to realize they might have tanked thousands of dollars of potential sales based on a $65 clamp package, they shouldn't plan on getting my business.

Good luck!

Here’s a copy from their website re: torque specs read toward the end

Note: Two people are recommended to ensure
accuracy of cut marks.
Slightly loosen front sleeve clamp nuts but do not
remove.
Use reciprocating saw or exhaust pipe cutting
tool to cut along marks previously made.
Note: If cutting on the car, be cautious of the gas
tank and the sparks produced.
Fully loosen front sleeve clamps and remove
factory resonator.
Deburr factory pipe as necessary and slide the
provided clamps over factory rear exhaust pipes.
Install Steeda H-Pipe and loosely tighten all 4
clamps.
Ensure exhaust tips are centered in rear valence
cutouts.
Tighten all clamps to (50-55 ft-lb).
Prior to starting car ensure no wires, hoses, brake
lines, tires, etc are contacting exhaust and have
adequate clearance away from exhaust system.
Start vehicle and check for exhaust leaks with
vehicle running parked. If leaks are found
recheck pipe engagement and clamp tightness.
Drive vehicle for short distance then check entire
system for exhaust leaks.

 

[joshness]

Reading this as I sit here with my Steeda H-Pipe getting ready to be installed tomorrow... with the standard clamps it came with. Fingers crossed I have better luck.

 

[24CTDH]

Reading this as I sit here with my Steeda H-Pipe getting ready to be installed tomorrow... with the standard clamps it came with. Fingers crossed I have better luck.

For what its worth….
i purchased their H pipe and standard clamps almost a year ago. I was also very apprehensive about the quality because why on earth would they sell multiple clamp types unless ones garbage and going to fail while the other one is truly the one you want…..i forgot what the sales rep said at the time but the jist was ‘youll be fine with the regular clamps dont worry about it’ and that was that. I had a shop do the work and I dont think i have any problems. At least not yet lol. I assume the install went without a problem and theres no leaks. Unless theres a hideous noise or smell coming up into the cabin i guess i wouldnt know if they got a good seal lol

OP - sorry youre having such a nightmare of a time. Call and talk to steeda. I bet theyll refund you or send out new clamps/hardware. Most small businesses will do just about anything to keep their customers happy. They dont want a bad reputation.

Goodluck!

 

[LouG]

FWIW, and I'm not preaching.
I don't usually give a fat rats arse about what other people do, but usually I'll contact the vendor directly first, and depending on the level of f**ks given, I'll decide whether to bag them publicly.
I haven't always been this mellow, but it keeps my blood pressure out of triple digits.

 

[25Raptor]

Reading this as I sit here with my Steeda H-Pipe getting ready to be installed tomorrow... with the standard clamps it came with. Fingers crossed I have better luck.

Let us know - I hope all goes well. I think the supplied clamps are actually better in the regard of the head of the bolts and the bottom nuts ride on top of supplied metal inserts in the stamped steel channel - and not imbedded inside “the cheap” stamped steel channel.

 

[bbowes9]

Reading this as I sit here with my Steeda H-Pipe getting ready to be installed tomorrow... with the standard clamps it came with. Fingers crossed I have better luck.

bought a used one and it was perfectly fine. itll be good.

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

This is why I was looking at the Roush H pipe that already has upgraded clamps for around the same price if not a little cheaper than the Steeda with the upgraded clamp option, which I would have bought as well. I have a Roush axle back (non active) that came with a beefy clamps so I would assume their H or X would have been the same. I know it doesn’t help your situation, but solidifies what I was thinking. To be honest, I’d be even more upset if it’s an active exhaust, which is very expensive to replace compared to my non active. Sorry this happened to you, exhaust work in a home garage with only ramps and hand tools can be a bit challenging already, especially if you’re old (62) and chubby like me.

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