Notices
928 Forum 1978-1995
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: 928 Specialists

928 S4 Front End Parking Lot Damage???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-05-2008, 12:28 AM
  #1  
nsantolick
Pro
Thread Starter
 
nsantolick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Rittenhouse Neighborhood
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 928 S4 Front End Parking Lot Damage???

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
Old 07-05-2008, 12:48 AM
  #2  
Nicole
Cottage Industry Sponsor
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
 
Nicole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Silly Valley, CA
Posts: 25,781
Received 150 Likes on 81 Posts
Default

Can you post some pictures?
Old 07-05-2008, 01:18 AM
  #3  
nsantolick
Pro
Thread Starter
 
nsantolick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Rittenhouse Neighborhood
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'll take some good ones tomorrow and post asap. Good idea... : )
Old 07-05-2008, 02:47 AM
  #4  
Bill Ball
Under the Lift
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
 
Bill Ball's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Posts: 18,647
Received 49 Likes on 36 Posts
Default

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.
Old 07-05-2008, 01:42 PM
  #5  
John Struthers
User
 
John Struthers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 3,291
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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?
Old 07-05-2008, 01:54 PM
  #6  
PorKen
Inventor
Rennlist Member

 
PorKen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,169
Received 411 Likes on 228 Posts
Default

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.
Old 07-06-2008, 06:16 AM
  #7  
nsantolick
Pro
Thread Starter
 
nsantolick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Rittenhouse Neighborhood
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It DID feel like it was sticky hinges. Perhaps the little flaw in the bumper cover isn't related. Thanks so much... : )
Old 07-06-2008, 07:10 AM
  #8  
John Struthers
User
 
John Struthers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Midland, Texas
Posts: 3,291
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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.



Quick Reply: 928 S4 Front End Parking Lot Damage???



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 11:17 AM.