To check the strakes, make sure all four touch the body of the car in two places, then wiggle the strakes gently. If they don't move, they're installed correctly. If they are not touching the body of the car at the edges, or if they can be moved, then the dealer likely just broke the tape bond and rotated them. I don't know that it is a huge deal to take the car that way. I had to break the tape bond on one of my strakes that was put on crooked, and its not moved in any way you'd notice since then. If it starts gettting crooked, my plan is to Loctite them on.

 

I had the same reaction, but upon looking at the pictures again I'm thinking that the person at the dealer might have put them on more or less straight to begin with and just did a half-assed installation job - no tape (or poor adhesion), didn't tighten them enough, no loctite (at this point, let's hope not), or whatever, so they moved. As Megareds and a couple of other people have mentioned, the template isn't accurate - if you follow the directions that come with the strakes, they don't make full contact with the body of the car.

 

If you are going to be at the dealer when they correct the installation, be sure that they use something like 3-M goo remover on the double stick tape. It will minimize the liklihood of causing any scratches.

 

Do not try and twist them straight. They are installed exactly like the incorrect direction tell them to. If you try and twist them they will break the grill. I would have the dealer remove the old ones, order you a new set, and install them yourself at home. Takes a halfhour. The reason I would not use the originals because the two sided tape needs to be fresh for long lasting adhesion. Their mistake, you want new ones. Many good threads about correcting the direction and easy home install.

 

Well good news!!! They're ordering a new set of strakes after I talked to them about how the strakes leveling was bothering me. Send the rep an email with links to the DIY thread and to the different pics you guys posted here. He must've checked the strakes and found them crooked. So lets see what happens...hopefully no scratches.... please. But hopefully their tech finds the DIY useful.

 

Ha i found this post halarious because i saw that same car when i stopped buy hamilton mazda on 4/19. I was trying to buy a quart of 5w-20 what part dept. won't sell you oil over the counter !!!! bah! take your business to flemington IMHO

 

Can't be the same car Polak :D Its from some another dealership which will be revealed once I get my car. :p