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Hood Alignment

14K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  06Daytona  
#1 ·
Hi Everyone

Got my car back from my dealer after replacing radiator & water pump (all under warranty)

What I noticed almost immediately as I sat in the car - the hood seemed to be sitting lower than the fenders, passenger side more than drivers. When I opened the hood - it didn't give that little pop, it was very smooth - as if it was already open. (although later it went back to the usual pop). So I got out and looked & sure enough the hood was sitting about 1/4 inch lower on passenger side & driver side seemed to be a tiny bit lower too. It's pretty much the front corners of the hood that sit lower than fender - but on passenger side it goes back towards nearly the middle of hood

I know I'm not going crazy - my hood was very flush with rest of body.

I showed the dealer - and they said they don't touch the hood - they remove the bumper to replace radiator. But offered to send to body shop as long as it is under basic warranty.

I took the car home & analyzed further. I tried to adjust the rubber stops underneath - but that only led to the hood not closing, and even when I forced it, it still didn't make much of difference.

I checked bumper & all and all seems to be put back together properly. Any ideas?

Cedarg
 
#3 ·
Yea I'd go back and have them adjust it
 
#6 ·
These cars don't have the best hood alignments (mine is very slightly higher in the front middle) but that looks pretty egregious. Hope they get it fixed for you.
 
#7 ·
Looks like they installed the front end filler panel wrong and had to adjust the hood bumpers down to get the hood aligned properly. Whatever moron worked on your car knows what happened. Yes, they need to correct it obviously it was not like that when you came in. Piss-poor service like this is why people hate stealerships. At least they could/should own-up to their tech's incompetence.
 
#8 ·
06Daytona

My first thought was the filler panel, but seems to be installed properly (you are talking about the long plastic black piece that cover the gap between radiator & bumper right?)

I have a question though - would there be any reason they have to remove the hood latch (one attached to radiator) to replace radiator or water pump? Or is it enough for them just to remove the bumper?

Thanks for your feedback guys!

Cedarg
 
#12 ·
Whatever they had to remove on the front to get to the radiator it looks like they put back wrong. So instead of doing it correctly (sending to body shop) they just adjusted the hood down to fit in the latch.

How is it now? Did they correct it?
 
#9 ·
Do you know how it is when you drive your Charger to the dealer and this guy comes out side with a number for your dash and then go's and takes a walk around your car to see if there are any dents scratches or what ever's on your car. I do the same thing when my Charger go's in for any work. I tell them to please keep it clean and neat and free of dents and scratches. When it's returned to me, I go over it with a fine tooth comb when it's back in my hands..

Big John