Hood Alignment

[1986coupe]

I am having difficulties with my hood alignment. I believe that a previous owner or mechanic had it off at some point, probably for painting. It isn't lined up properly. The part that I can't figure out is why the hood is so close to the bumper in the centre but there is a larger gap on the outer edges? This also affects the hood height closer to the window and I believe it is too close to the doors. Unfortunately I can't move it forward because the centre on the front is too close to the bumper.
Any ideas?

 

[tnovot]

If you find evidence that the front has been hit (even slightly) it could have moved the mounting brace rearward a little. You may have to remove the front bumper cover and pull the bumper mounting forward a tiny bit. Measuring at least one other early C4 carefully from a point in front of the windshield to the top rear of the bumper cover and comparing that to a like measurement from your car might be helpful.
Terry

 

[aboatguy]

I am having difficulties with my hood alignment. I believe that a previous owner or mechanic had it off at some point, probably for painting. It isn't lined up properly. The part that I can't figure out is why the hood is so close to the bumper in the centre but there is a larger gap on the outer edges? This also affects the hood height closer to the window and I believe it is too close to the doors. Unfortunately I can't move it forward because the centre on the front is too close to the bumper.
Any ideas?

Without seeing I would guess that the front bumper is not installed correctly, so the hood was installed a little off to compensate.

I know that the 1995 FSM has a great section on hood alignment, bumper installation etc for my 1995. However, I know that the front end on a 95 is different than your 86" IE the eggcrate energy absorbing panels were replaced by foam, different bumper covers etc. So I suggest you procure the HELMS FSM for 86 or see if some kind soul can scan and email the procedures to you.

Good luck

Mike

 

[1986coupe]

Is it possible that there are some shims for the front bumper that were not put on?
I have looked and haven't found any evidence of being hit, although I guess a lite tap wouldn't do anything stucturally that can be seen but make things not line up properly.
Perhaps I should remove the front bumper to get a sense of what is behind it?

 

[tyrel]

My service manual shows several shims for the bumper, located on the front cross member. If they removed the hood, it's impossible to line it up again, there are about a million different directions the hood can go. I have several photos of a c4 on the factory assembly line, and it looks like they aligned the hood first, THEN they did the bumper, if that helps at all. If that isn't bad enough, it's also possible for the front bumper to warp out of shape over time, so you have to factor that in.