Minor panel alignment
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Minor panel alignment
The dealer replaced the battery in my 87 before I got the car. Now the body panel over the battery is misaligned, being much higher in the back, (by the door), than in the front, (by the wheel). I loosened the torx screws and tried to force it up, there didn't seem to be much play, and it's still misaligned. Is there slop in that screw on the bottom where I can move the panel?
Speaking of alignment, the dealer replaced the springs and shocks for the hood, and it's still not right. The hood doesn't pop up when the release is pulled, and it's somewhat loose when closed, it rattles when I drive on a slightly rough surface. They're going to take another crack at it, but they don't seem to have people that know this type of car. Anyone here familiar with this problem on early C4s? (I've seen it in other C4s I drove). I think if I can diagnose it for them, they stand a chance of fixing it.
Finally, I read on another post that the bottom screw on that body panel over the battery is 10mm. Most of my tools are english. Should I begin stocking up on metric tools?
Speaking of alignment, the dealer replaced the springs and shocks for the hood, and it's still not right. The hood doesn't pop up when the release is pulled, and it's somewhat loose when closed, it rattles when I drive on a slightly rough surface. They're going to take another crack at it, but they don't seem to have people that know this type of car. Anyone here familiar with this problem on early C4s? (I've seen it in other C4s I drove). I think if I can diagnose it for them, they stand a chance of fixing it.
Finally, I read on another post that the bottom screw on that body panel over the battery is 10mm. Most of my tools are english. Should I begin stocking up on metric tools?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,355
Likes: 2,280
From: Central Maryland
The gill-vent panel can be adjusted. Loosen all of the screws that secure it, and you should be able to move it around. It uses shims to position the upper rear corner -- you may need to add/remove shims. Make sure it's properly adjusted, or the door and/or hood may collide with it.
The hood latches definitely sound like they need to be adjusted.
It sounds as though the dealer you're using isn't up to the job. I'd recommend you stop letting them get near the car. Find somebody competent.
Yes, buy metric tools. You'll be needing them.
Be well,
SJW
The hood latches definitely sound like they need to be adjusted.
It sounds as though the dealer you're using isn't up to the job. I'd recommend you stop letting them get near the car. Find somebody competent.
Yes, buy metric tools. You'll be needing them.
Be well,
SJW
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
YOu can adjust the black metal plate that the cover bolts to. It mounts to the pillar and moves quite a bit. The two rear bolts on the cover are 10mm, and the bottom one goes in a slotted hole (usually) so you just need to loosen it. Except for some engine bolts, all fasteners are metric.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
The dealer replaced the battery in my 87 before I got the car. Now the body panel over the battery is misaligned, being much higher in the back, (by the door), than in the front, (by the wheel). I loosened the torx screws and tried to force it up, there didn't seem to be much play, and it's still misaligned. Is there slop in that screw on the bottom where I can move the panel?
Finally, I read on another post that the bottom screw on that body panel over the battery is 10mm. Most of my tools are english. Should I begin stocking up on metric tools?
Finally, I read on another post that the bottom screw on that body panel over the battery is 10mm. Most of my tools are english. Should I begin stocking up on metric tools?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
The gill-vent panel can be adjusted. Loosen all of the screws that secure it, and you should be able to move it around. It uses shims to position the upper rear corner -- you may need to add/remove shims. Make sure it's properly adjusted, or the door and/or hood may collide with it.
The hood latches definitely sound like they need to be adjusted.
It sounds as though the dealer you're using isn't up to the job. I'd recommend you stop letting them get near the car. Find somebody competent.
Yes, buy metric tools. You'll be needing them.
Be well,
SJW
The hood latches definitely sound like they need to be adjusted.
It sounds as though the dealer you're using isn't up to the job. I'd recommend you stop letting them get near the car. Find somebody competent.
Yes, buy metric tools. You'll be needing them.
Be well,
SJW
You think the latch itself is the problem? How can I communicate this to the dealer? You think it's the latches, not the hood alignment?
Yes, the dealer isn't a Chevrolet dealer. It's a Hummer dealer. I'm not taking it to them and paying... this is the final piece to finish the sale. I bought the car from them, and fixing the hood was noted on the sales contract.
Off to the Sears Hardware store.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
The dealer took a whack at it. They replaced the hood springs, and the shock absorbers at the front of the hood. Doesn't rattle quite as much, but now it's harder to open! They don't have a clue. The dealer is willing to take the car and send it to his body shop. Not sure I want to let him do that.
Ok, the hood doesn't pop up, and it's still a little loose when closed, that is, it rattles going over bumps. How do I adjust this thing? I saw 2 bumpers up near the latches. Should I turn these things out? I took the rubber off of one of the bumpers and tried to turn it, it's very, very tight. Is there a locking nut down at the bottom, under that insulation?
Thanks in advance.
Ok, the hood doesn't pop up, and it's still a little loose when closed, that is, it rattles going over bumps. How do I adjust this thing? I saw 2 bumpers up near the latches. Should I turn these things out? I took the rubber off of one of the bumpers and tried to turn it, it's very, very tight. Is there a locking nut down at the bottom, under that insulation?
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Didn't manage to get to the panel, but yesterday was nice enough to get to the hood. I put grease around the latches, and lowered to see how it strikes. I found the passenger side was off center from the latch. Loosened the 3 bolts securing the hood pin, and moved it. Next, I determined that the drivers side pin was too long. There is a slot in the bottom of the pin. A big screwdriver and a turn or two on the pin shortened it up. The hood now latches securely, and doesn't rattle. It doesn't pop up quite like I want, but I think that this is an aftermarket hood, and might be a bit too heavy. I can live with it how it is.
Thought I'd share for anyone else having hood problems.
Thought I'd share for anyone else having hood problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,355
Likes: 2,280
From: Central Maryland
Didn't manage to get to the panel, but yesterday was nice enough to get to the hood. I put grease around the latches, and lowered to see how it strikes. I found the passenger side was off center from the latch. Loosened the 3 bolts securing the hood pin, and moved it. Next, I determined that the drivers side pin was too long. There is a slot in the bottom of the pin. A big screwdriver and a turn or two on the pin shortened it up. The hood now latches securely, and doesn't rattle. It doesn't pop up quite like I want, but I think that this is an aftermarket hood, and might be a bit too heavy. I can live with it how it is.
Thought I'd share for anyone else having hood problems.
Thought I'd share for anyone else having hood problems.
Be well,
SJW
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
So wait, are you saying they screwed the alignment of the hood up by changing the battery?
Changing the battery is very simple, it's not hard to misalign teh side panel, but it shouldn't be off too much unless something is broken.
The bottom part of the panel can only be adjusted in or out, there is no side to side(back to front) adjustment.
Whenever I remove that panel, I line up the clean spots where the bolt head was to reinstall, comes out perfect almost every time.
Changing the battery is very simple, it's not hard to misalign teh side panel, but it shouldn't be off too much unless something is broken.
The bottom part of the panel can only be adjusted in or out, there is no side to side(back to front) adjustment.
Whenever I remove that panel, I line up the clean spots where the bolt head was to reinstall, comes out perfect almost every time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
So wait, are you saying they screwed the alignment of the hood up by changing the battery?
Changing the battery is very simple, it's not hard to misalign teh side panel, but it shouldn't be off too much unless something is broken.
The bottom part of the panel can only be adjusted in or out, there is no side to side(back to front) adjustment.
Whenever I remove that panel, I line up the clean spots where the bolt head was to reinstall, comes out perfect almost every time.
Changing the battery is very simple, it's not hard to misalign teh side panel, but it shouldn't be off too much unless something is broken.
The bottom part of the panel can only be adjusted in or out, there is no side to side(back to front) adjustment.
Whenever I remove that panel, I line up the clean spots where the bolt head was to reinstall, comes out perfect almost every time.
I didn't change the battery, the dealer did. The misalignment of the battery cover is independent of the hood problem. I just tackled the hood first. Limited time, no heated garage, 30* here again today.
The panel in front of the battery is misaligned front to back. That is, it's higher by the door than it is by the wheel. It's a significant angle. I was told loosening the bottom 10mm bolt will give me the play I need. I hope so. Can't imagine what would be broken to make it misalign the way it is.