928 S4 Front End Parking Lot Damage???
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Not a biggie, I hope, but my car came with an engine hood that kind of "sticks" when you first open it, feeling the resistance coming from the right side.
I saw no "damage" but under close observation, I notice a mild "dent" like imperfection in the front bumper area - right side...
I notice that the space between the hood's front edge and the plastic bumper part is uneven, being wider on the right side.
Level-wise, the hood seems a tad bit lower on the right side, not quite being even with the fender.
The car came with used hood struts in the trunk. I thought at first that it was an alignment issue, but now think it seems like minor accident damage.
Just what can one expect in a parking on city streets / bumper car parking like "accident?" Do my symptoms indicate that, or may it just be a bad strut installation and a consequential little tap to the bumper that caused that mild "dent-like" imperfection???
The tires are near new so it's hard to read any uneven wear. I am NOWHERE near a competent alignment shop. The car tracks straight.
Anyway, any advice would be most appreciated...
Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - GP White/Dark Gray Leather - 77,000 milesish
I saw no "damage" but under close observation, I notice a mild "dent" like imperfection in the front bumper area - right side...
I notice that the space between the hood's front edge and the plastic bumper part is uneven, being wider on the right side.
Level-wise, the hood seems a tad bit lower on the right side, not quite being even with the fender.
The car came with used hood struts in the trunk. I thought at first that it was an alignment issue, but now think it seems like minor accident damage.
Just what can one expect in a parking on city streets / bumper car parking like "accident?" Do my symptoms indicate that, or may it just be a bad strut installation and a consequential little tap to the bumper that caused that mild "dent-like" imperfection???
The tires are near new so it's hard to read any uneven wear. I am NOWHERE near a competent alignment shop. The car tracks straight.
Anyway, any advice would be most appreciated...
Nick - Hazleton, Pennsylvania
1989 Porsche 928 S4 - GP White/Dark Gray Leather - 77,000 milesish
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You can adjust the gap between the bumper cover and the hood edge if it is uneven. There are some screws along the top inside edge of the bumper cover in front of the hood area. Loosen some of them and pull on the edge of the cover and see if that helps.
Last edited by Bill Ball; 07-06-2008 at 02:16 PM.
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Bill,
I tried the front trim piece adjustment on the 81', and the 82', but as they were countersunk
screws and reciever holes I didn't get much in the way of adjustment.
Is there a difference in the S4 piece?
I tried the front trim piece adjustment on the 81', and the 82', but as they were countersunk
screws and reciever holes I didn't get much in the way of adjustment.
Is there a difference in the S4 piece?
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Sounds like the hood hinges need lube. White lithium spray, once a year, on of all 5(!) pivot points on each side will make the hood go up straight, and lay down properly, too.
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It DID feel like it was sticky hinges. Perhaps the little flaw in the bumper cover isn't related. Thanks so much... : )
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You probably already know ...
But if your hood/fender line spacing is a bit off it CAN BE caused by slightly bent or slightly
twisted/misaligned hinges. This is sometimes caused by the single hand, off center closing of the hood.
If you disconnect the hood struts -easy task- and do a couple of hood opening/closure cycles and
the problem is still there clean/lube the hinges -as suggested- and try again. Still there? Back off the mount bolts -both sides- leave some drag/tightness on them and tap the "tight" side of the hood
toward the front with the heel of your hand and check again when the alignment is right thighten the bolts. Better if you have a helper. And caution on lowering till you make sure the hood and fenders
won't scrape paint. As to the height ... after alignment the fender hood level sometimes goes away.
If not make sure all the bumpers are in place -both sides-, front corner adjusters are adjusted properly.
Sometimes, you can back off the front spring tension -just a little- and things will line up as well.
Most all of the plastic dimpling you see on the sHARKs is not caused by cars kissing.
Final note on the fender/hood alignment. You may have had a fender removal/replacement at one time.
There is not much slop in the fender mount holes and due to chassis settling alignment may be off a bit.
Additionally, if someone replaced or fiddled with the cross brace there might be a small issue there.
Shop adjustments cost a bundle, PITA for some to do alone, brewski's and a fellow sHARk jockey would be ideal. Eyeball everything before starting remembering that the handbone is connected to the wristbone... (do I really need to do this?).
Enjoy.
But if your hood/fender line spacing is a bit off it CAN BE caused by slightly bent or slightly
twisted/misaligned hinges. This is sometimes caused by the single hand, off center closing of the hood.
If you disconnect the hood struts -easy task- and do a couple of hood opening/closure cycles and
the problem is still there clean/lube the hinges -as suggested- and try again. Still there? Back off the mount bolts -both sides- leave some drag/tightness on them and tap the "tight" side of the hood
toward the front with the heel of your hand and check again when the alignment is right thighten the bolts. Better if you have a helper. And caution on lowering till you make sure the hood and fenders
won't scrape paint. As to the height ... after alignment the fender hood level sometimes goes away.
If not make sure all the bumpers are in place -both sides-, front corner adjusters are adjusted properly.
Sometimes, you can back off the front spring tension -just a little- and things will line up as well.
Most all of the plastic dimpling you see on the sHARKs is not caused by cars kissing.
Final note on the fender/hood alignment. You may have had a fender removal/replacement at one time.
There is not much slop in the fender mount holes and due to chassis settling alignment may be off a bit.
Additionally, if someone replaced or fiddled with the cross brace there might be a small issue there.
Shop adjustments cost a bundle, PITA for some to do alone, brewski's and a fellow sHARk jockey would be ideal. Eyeball everything before starting remembering that the handbone is connected to the wristbone... (do I really need to do this?).
Enjoy.