Gappy Hood on 96 RT/10

[Tomer]

Guys, thanks for the advice. Here is the pic http://viper.epikos.com/default.asp do under 96 Vipers and the file is 96_gappy_hood. In this pic you can see the chip in the hood, and the differed gaps over the headlights.

I did try to adjust the hood latches, and it made the gap better, but then the hood was below the line of the facia...its almost like a chicked or egg I guess. are the headlights attached to the facia, or floating between the hood and facia? I have a very nice tight line between bottom of headlights and facia...which I believe is how it is supposed to me.

Its almost like the facia and headlights need to be moved rearward, but then the facial will rub abainst the leading edge of the hood...

comments and suggestions appreciated!

tomer

 

[Ulysses]

Yes, the headlights are between the hood and facia. They are actually attached to the radiator support/backsplash. From the picture, it looks like you might have a hood that's not quite straight in it's alignment, but it is hard to tell.

 

[Tomer]

My 96 RT/10 was "hit" before I bought it, and I really can't trust the person I bought it from...I have a pic where you can see ~ a 1 inch diameter chip in the hood (since repaired) which supposedly was done by a Ford Explorer backing into the car while the previous owner was in a restaurant eating..Presumably the Explorer was going < 5 mph in reverse, but of course I have no way to be sure. The damage was about 4 inches toward center of hood from the driver's side headlight. About 2 inches up the hood from the front facia (where facia meets hood).

I guess I can't attach the pic with this post since I don't have it on a web server (just on my PC) but if anyone would like to see the pic and comment pls e-mail me "[email protected]" and I am happy to send it your way...

The Pic shows the gap over the headlight to be much worse on pass side versus driver's side. I am wondering if this can be adjusted, as it looks real sloppy to me. I am also guessing that this is not something I should just jump into, I would likely make a mess of it...

thanks
Tomer..
96 RT/10

 

[Matt]

Tom,

A couple of things:

1) you can upload pictures to the Viper Club media area through a link off the www.viperclub.org page. It's free and convenient for these "show and tell" type posts.

2) There are adjustable stops for the hood to set it's position. These may need to be adjusted more to your liking. You can find the procedure in the service manual, or if you are not comfortable, take it in to have the Viper Tech adjust it while you check to see that it looks more "correct"

-Matt

 

[Ulysses]

I just adjusted the hood gap over the headlight myself this weekend. It's pretty easy but you have to be meticulous about measurements. The hood latches in the engine bay can move up and down by loosening two bolts. Make note of where the latches are (mark it). The hood should not be touching the headlight. There should be at least a couple mils clearance at the point where the hood/headlight gap is the smallest (where the headlight is the smallest inboard). Look at both gaps and make sure that the one with the least gap is not touching the headlight. If it's not, you will most likely not have to adjust that one. Loosen the latch for the big gap side, slide it down approximately the distance you want to close the gap by from the mark you made earlier. Tighten it up and recheck the clearances on both sides.

One other thing to note also BEFORE you start is if the facia is not leaning down too heavily to one side. If it is you have to adjust the facia before you adjust the hood. The facia adjustment is a little more tricky, let me know if you do and I can give you some hints. Look at the facia in relationship to the bottom of the headlights on both sides to check if one side is leaning down more than the other. A little bit of difference is okay. We are talking about a large, obvious difference.