This is going to be like explaining colors to a blind man but here goes. 1995 coupe, has had some front end work but underneath looks straight and original. Problem, location where the clamshell hood meets the lower painted panel, between the front tire and the nose piece, gap starts small but gets wider toward the rear, where it ends just in front of the front tire. All the inner panels look straight, bolts are in place, no cracks or broken sections. I can't figure out how to raise up the section toward the rear. Front end looks good, all gaps along the nose and such look fine. Some way I have to raise the lower section up about 3/16 inch at the rear. Sorry, can't figure out how to post pictures.

 

Click the little mountain icon in your post. We need the pics. But probably a pin adjustment is in order.

 

I'm not real sure of your problem. but the gap can be manipulated with the front inner fenders, along with the metal bracket that the bumper cover mounts to.

 

Thanks, that's what I thought. I'll give a good look over and start loosening to see what moves and what doesn't.

 

The side panel is held on by two 10mm and some torx screws along the rear inner fender well, as stated above if you can't get it straight with these you can loosen the inner well also. Be careful not to get the small body extension at the rub strip to close to the door or it will bind.

 

I take it you're referring to the bumper where it wraps around to end at the front of the front tire; the gap at the inner fender joint being too big, yes?

Well, first off, just about every connection holding panels on is slotted soas to be able to adjust the fit (within limits).

In WE GONE's bottom photo, at the top, rear corner of the bumper is where the actual height adjustment needs to be made where it attaches to the fender support (extending outward from the frame). But, to allow shifting the fender/bumper to happen, the (front) inner fender screws and perhaps those of the bottom splash pan too are going to have to be loosened as well. (Once you get "into it", you'll see what has to be loosened - pretty easy, actually.)

For reference, a straight edge (or a string) can be used to verify the alignment by assuring the belt line is straight from corner to corner. This you can do with the hood raised. Once the bumper is set, then the hood can be closed and the gaps verified.

Be sure to cinch all the adjustment fasteners firmly* and then recheck the gaps. There seems to always be a little shifting as the fasteners are tightened, but be patient (as some "do-over" is normal when fussing with body panel alignment!).

*A rookie mistake is to fail to tighten the fasteners securely enough for fear of having to re-align panels. First pot-hole or speed bump will make that mistake pretty clear...speaking from experience!!

 

And take your time. Two things not to do; rush opening the door after adjustments. You risk catching the door on the clamshell or the lower panel and chipping or cracking something. Second, never never never shut the clamshell with a door open. Ever.