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There are adjustments in two different directions on two different sets of bolts. Think on either end of the hood hinges.
The bolts that attach the hood to the hinge are slotted so that you can adjust the height (flush with the bumper) of the hood. The bolts holding the hinges to the frame are slotted so that you can adjust the hood forward or backward.
All of that is THE EASY PART. The actual adjustments can be quite tedious and if not careful, you can adjust the hood too far forward and too low in the open position, close the hood and it will dive under the nose. This is usually a disaster.
Those who adjust the hood correctly know how to put enough pretension on the bolts, carefully close it then can shift the hood in place, raise it back and tighten the bolts without damage.
You wrote that you had the bumper replaced....presumably by a body shop. If that's the case, why not go back to them to adjust the panels? A reputable shop should know how to make the adjustment rather than you monkeying around with it???
There are adjustments in two different directions on two different sets of bolts. Think on either end of the hood hinges.
The bolts that attach the hood to the hinge are slotted so that you can adjust the height (flush with the bumper) of the hood. The bolts holding the hinges to the frame are slotted so that you can adjust the hood forward or backward.
All of that is THE EASY PART. The actual adjustments can be quite tedious and if not careful, you can adjust the hood too far forward and too low in the open position, close the hood and it will dive under the nose. This is usually a disaster.
Those who adjust the hood correctly know how to put enough pretension on the bolts, carefully close it then can shift the hood in place, raise it back and tighten the bolts without damage.
Good Luck!
Good advise. This is not a 30 minute project. I have spent several hours getting the gaps correct after removing the nose, hood and or fenders. It helps if you have another person to assist with moving the hood just because it is awkward. Measure the gaps on a car that has not been molested for a benchmark on what the gaps should be. All of this is dependent on presuming the nose and fenders were properly installed by the body shop.
You wrote that you had the bumper replaced....presumably by a body shop.
If that's the case, why not go back to them to adjust the panels? A reputable shop should know how to make the adjustment rather than you monkeying around with it???
My guess is that the OPs bumper was not replaced by any professional body shop at all ... I am betting that the job was done in somebody's home garage by someone that had no idea how to install it correctly in the first place.
Good advise. This is not a 30 minute project. I have spent several hours getting the gaps correct after removing the nose, hood and or fenders. It helps if you have another person to assist with moving the hood just because it is awkward. Measure the gaps on a car that has not been molested for a benchmark on what the gaps should be. All of this is dependent on presuming the nose and fenders were properly installed by the body shop.
I've taken at least two hours + getting gaps right every time I have my hood off and back on again. In my case, I have two different hoods for my car and switch back/forth. The hoods are not exactly the same so, start from scratch each switch.
It just takes a lot of work to get it right. The pretension is key. Definitely pay close attention and close the hood very slowly if you adjust it open. I have over an hour into mine and it certainly isn't perfect but very close.
Just an update on this thread, it wasn't the hood that was off it was the bumper cover. There was a bolt missing directly in the middle of the cover that was causing it to sag a bit.
If you looked at the OPs previous threads ... you will find that he previously wrecked this car at the track. He even posted photos of the damage after the wreck.
Looks like the photos he has now posted in this thread are the results of a poor job of fixing the damage from the wreck at the track.
Well said and good advice. I've just been through this necessary adjustment recently myself having replaced my headlight lens covers, minus any hood/nose dive fortunately!
Originally Posted by BlindSpot
There are adjustments in two different directions on two different sets of bolts. Think on either end of the hood hinges.
The bolts that attach the hood to the hinge are slotted so that you can adjust the height (flush with the bumper) of the hood. The bolts holding the hinges to the frame are slotted so that you can adjust the hood forward or backward.
All of that is THE EASY PART. The actual adjustments can be quite tedious and if not careful, you can adjust the hood too far forward and too low in the open position, close the hood and it will dive under the nose. This is usually a disaster.
Those who adjust the hood correctly know how to put enough pretension on the bolts, carefully close it then can shift the hood in place, raise it back and tighten the bolts without damage.
06-04-2017, 07:41 PM
How to fix bumper hood panel gap
Good advise. This is not a 30 minute project. I have spent several hours getting the gaps correct after removing the nose, hood and or fenders. It helps if you have another person to assist with moving the hood just because it is awkward. Measure the gaps on a car that has not been molested for a benchmark on what the gaps should be. All of this is dependent on presuming the nose and fenders were properly installed by the body shop.
