Drewster67

84 Euro 928S Auto

I knew the hood wasn't aligned correctly but I didn't know the severity.

This morning I noticed on the front lip signs of misalignment. The metal is starting to wear back, and on the fender, the paint is starting to wear away (right fender when facing car). I also noticed a 1/8" gap on the plate (Left side facing car) that holds the bolts in place for the hinges. Gap is located on the bottom side of the plate, not where the bolts go into the hood.

Any suggestion on how to fix the plate and how to correctly align the hood?.

Thanks Everyone

Thom1

Hi Drewster,

I would remove the upper portion of the front latch. Adjust alignment with the 4 bolts at the upper portion of the hinges at the rear. Re-install the latch. Make darned sure that the latch is aligned correctly before you engage the latch. See an excerpt from my essentials document below for more details:

THOM’S HOOD ESSENTIALS:

HOOD SHOCK REPLACEMENT:

Prop or tape a broom or stick under the high edge of the hood. Put a dense pillow, folded carpet scrap, pad, etc. behind the trailing edge of a hood sharp corner. Tape a pad or rag around the sharp trailing edge corner. Put your replacement shock where you can install it with your free hand. Loosen the 2 clips on one shock only with a little screwdriver. Grip that side of the lid because it will move during the next step. Pull the shock off of its ball joints. Replace one shock at a time. Just push each socket over the corresponding ball. Repeat on the other shock. The thick canister of each shock is higher than the thin rod.

HOOD REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION:

See above padding and support data. Disconnect upper hood shock clips. Loosen all 4 upper hinge bolts. Have a friend to remove bolts while holding hood, as you remove the 2 bolts on your side. Lift hood away. Reverse procedure for installation.

HOOD ALIGNMENT:

Never close hood completely unless male and female portions of latch are matched up pretty well. If you get the hood stuck closed, reach up through the front grill. Grab the hood release cable right where it goes into the latch, and pull. If necessary, push on the pointy cone shaped thing that goes through the latch hole to center it while pulling the release cable.

If the hood was previously aligned correctly, and you are removing and re-installing the hood, align using only the 4 hinge bolts at the hood interface: See padding and support instructions above. Before hood removal mark the position of the hinges with a chalk or grease pencil for future reference. Upon hood installation, tighten one side. Get the bolts almost tight on the other side. Push the hood around on that loose side until you think it is close. Tighten those bolts. Gently lower hood, and check alignment at edges and latch. Repeat procedures on both sides through as many iterations as it takes. You can push the hood way down onto the hinge by pushing on the hood with one hand, and tightening bolts with a ratchet socket wrench in the other hand.

Rear height is controlled mainly by hinge adjustment. Front height is controlled by turning the threaded male post of the latch.

If the hood was misaligned before, or you have trouble getting it aligned, remove the upper portion of the latch, align with the hinges, replace the upper latch portion.

You may want to adjust the rubber bumpers for non-interference, and readjust them after alignment is complete.
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WallyP

First, remove the two bolts that hold the upper latch mechanism, and remove the latches.

Lubricate the hinges at all moving points. Raise and lower the hood several times.

Loosen the bolts that hold one hinge to the hood enough that firm pressure will move the hood on the hinge, but light pressure won't.

Gently lower the hood into position, being careful to avoid scarring the paint.

Move the loosened corner of the hood into rough alignment, being sure to avoid scarring the paint.

Tighten the bolts on that hinge.

Repeat the process on the other hinge, except that this time you should be able to achieve the final alignment on that corner. The hinge plate should be straight on the hood, not higher in the front or back.

Repeat on the first corner, achieving final alignment.

Check alignment all around hood, including the height at the back corners.

When it is right, attach the upper latches, leaving the bolts just loose enough to move with moderate pressure.

Slowly lower the hood, adjusting the spring and striker bolt so it is centered in the lower latch mechanism. When the striker is centered, make sure that the upper latch is straight on the hood, and tighten the bolts.

Slowly lower the hood and make certain that the latch operates smoothly and easily.

Drewster67

Thank You Wally and Thom for such detailed instructions, and I especially appeciate the timely response.

Off to the garage I go ............

D67

Drewster67

She's back in alignment. It took me a couple of times - the two issues I had wasn't the margin on each side,that fell into play nicely, it was the front tip being pushed over the bead for the front bumper cover and the rear height level.

With a sledge hammer and a hacksaw I got her in ........Just Kidding!

Thanks Again!!!

D67