Hood alignment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ontario
Hood alignment
Hi guys
A month and a half ago my C5 was backed into in a parking lot and the bumper, left fender and light bezel had to be replaced. None of the pieces actually moved, so the lines were straight to begin with. It took over a month to get this car back from the bodyshop. What I noticed that the hood was put back on, it was misaligned, there's a larger gap on the right side closer to the windshield and the other side is much more tighter. The right side is loose and it rattles. The light when it closes doesn't sit flush with the bumper or the hood. it's sunken it on one side and much higher on the other?? Naturally, I lost my temper and gave the shop crap. I just wanted to know if there are any instructions out there that I can use so that I can align these two panels myself, especially the hood. And if this a difficult task to take on...I don't have any experience with body work. And I don't want to deal with these guys anymore cause there butchers.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
A month and a half ago my C5 was backed into in a parking lot and the bumper, left fender and light bezel had to be replaced. None of the pieces actually moved, so the lines were straight to begin with. It took over a month to get this car back from the bodyshop. What I noticed that the hood was put back on, it was misaligned, there's a larger gap on the right side closer to the windshield and the other side is much more tighter. The right side is loose and it rattles. The light when it closes doesn't sit flush with the bumper or the hood. it's sunken it on one side and much higher on the other?? Naturally, I lost my temper and gave the shop crap. I just wanted to know if there are any instructions out there that I can use so that I can align these two panels myself, especially the hood. And if this a difficult task to take on...I don't have any experience with body work. And I don't want to deal with these guys anymore cause there butchers.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: "In a van down by the river" CO
Have someone help you align it. There are four hinge to frame mounting bolts and two bolts w/ bushings that adjust the height of the cowl when the hood is closed.
I would suggest adjusting the hinge to frame bolts first. Loosen them enough to be able to move the hood around while a friend holds it. You should be able to see marks from where the bolts hit the hinges when they were originally installed. These bolts will adjust side to side and front to back alignment and rotation. It may take a couple tries to get the gaps all right.
Next, adjust the cowl height. Rotate the bolts w/ the bushings on them either clockwise or counterclockwise until both sides of the cowl line up with the rear of the fenders.
Really, this isn't hard and if you know what a wrench is, it is easily accomplished. Chris
I would suggest adjusting the hinge to frame bolts first. Loosen them enough to be able to move the hood around while a friend holds it. You should be able to see marks from where the bolts hit the hinges when they were originally installed. These bolts will adjust side to side and front to back alignment and rotation. It may take a couple tries to get the gaps all right.
Next, adjust the cowl height. Rotate the bolts w/ the bushings on them either clockwise or counterclockwise until both sides of the cowl line up with the rear of the fenders.
Really, this isn't hard and if you know what a wrench is, it is easily accomplished. Chris
