GTS/CS Hood deformation from improper closing

[jmg]

The gap between my CS hood and the front bumper is uneven despite two shop's attempts to fix it by adjusting the latches, bump stops and bumper itself. No dice. The only other conclusion we came up with is that the hood is slightly bent from an improper closure where someone attempted to close the hood, it did not latch, so they violently pressed hard in the middle to engage the latches not knowing it was a CFRP hood.

Has anyone had any success heat reforming the hood slightly? I do not want to replace and repaint this hood as it is $$ but at the same time the fender gap is annoying and it's all I can see now.

[SYT_Shadow]

I can't see how one could permanently bend CF... if you mistreat it enough i think you'd break it before permanently bending it

[jmg]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I can't see how one could permanently bend CF... if you mistreat it enough i think you'd break it before permanently bending it

Maybe I should get the bumper cover removed and check all the mounting points?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by jmg

Maybe I should get the bumper cover removed and check all the mounting points?

Let's see what others think before you do lots of work

[h_bakken]

Originally Posted by jmg

The gap between my CS hood and the front bumper is uneven despite two shop's attempts to fix it by adjusting the latches, bump stops and bumper itself. No dice. The only other conclusion we came up with is that the hood is slightly bent from an improper closure where someone attempted to close the hood, it did not latch, so they violently pressed hard in the middle to engage the latches not knowing it was a CFRP hood.

Has anyone had any success heat reforming the hood slightly? I do not want to replace and repaint this hood as it is $$ but at the same time the fender gap is annoying and it's all I can see now.

Any evidence of damage under surface (supports etc)?

Agree with above I cant see how you could permanently deform the CFRP.

I know if I don't vigorously close mine the left side latches and the right does not, scared me the first time, but no damage.

It is odd that the gap is narrow in the center, I like the thought about the front bumper, I'd examine closely for damage or improper mounting. I would be surprised if it had left the factory like that.

I think trying to reform the hood might be problematic.

It would bug me too, a lot. It's such a beautiful hood design

[Lienrocs]

I absolutely wouldn't try and reform the hood. I don't see how it can lose its shape to begin with. I'd check and see if the bumper is misaligned.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I can't see how one could permanently bend CF... if you mistreat it enough i think you'd break it before permanently bending it

You’re correct. CFRP won’t permanently deform...It’ll only “yield” once

[SYT_Shadow]

I'm thinking... when I got ppf my front hood looked off and it turns out they forgot to reinstall the rubber seal thingy. After reinstalling it looked better

I try not to look at panel gaps too much so i don't lose my mind

[Boostin FD]

I was always told, that on these cars, you have to slam the hood from mid way down... It worries me doing it, but I can see where it makes more sense, rather than pressing down on each end.

[jmg]

Update: got some washers at Home Depot and got it to 95% there. Going back for more spacer to get it closer. Not bad for $0.15 a pop!

[Lienrocs]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

I was always told, that on these cars, you have to slam the hood from mid way down... It worries me doing it, but I can see where it makes more sense, rather than pressing down on each end.

Yeah. You get used to it. I remember when I took delivery of mine it took three salespeople and four mechanics about an hour to figure out how to close the hood because nobody had the courage to slam it than hard.

[dh3622]

From what I've been able to learn/find out:

Closing Hood: FYI per video below. If hood does not close all the way, do not push down on corners. You may fracture the hood. Open and re-slam per video.

Regarding hood alignment/spacing, when I received my GTS back from Steve Dinan and Team, my hood was not spaced properly. At first my BMW tech, battled trying to align the hood but it turned out that the hood was straight and it was the front end that was out of alignment. Tech was able to make the necessary front end adjustments to align hood properly. Now, all is good.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by dh3622

From what I've been able to learn/find out:

Closing Hood: FYI per video below. If hood does not close all the way, do not push down on corners. You may fracture the hood. Open and re-slam per video.

Regarding hood alignment/spacing, when I received my GTS back from Steve Dinan and Team, my hood was not spaced properly. At first my BMW tech, battled trying to align the hood but it turned out that the hood was straight and it was the front end that was out of alignment. Tech was able to make the necessary front end adjustments to align hood properly. Now, all is good.

Do you have any details on how they adjusted it? My washer method is probably not in the service manual!

[dh3622]

Originally Posted by jmg

Do you have any details on how they adjusted it? My washer method is probably not in the service manual!

Sorry, no, I was not able to watch him make the adjustment. I believe he spent an hour doing it. But, replied that "if he had known", it would not have taken as long as it did. So, apparently, once he figured out what to do, it didn't take that long.

[jpdchicago]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

I was always told, that on these cars, you have to slam the hood from mid way down... It worries me doing it, but I can see where it makes more sense, rather than pressing down on each end.

That is absolutely correct. I have done that on mine for the last 4 years. Works every time.

[4play]

I have noticed inconsistencies in the shut line - not that one side is latched and the other is (which is a big/obvious gap), but actual differences in how large/where the gap is when the hood is fully closed depending on how hard the hood was slammed.

It looks like the first post. In my experience, this is because you either didn't slam it hard enough or evenly - the latches are both shut, but the hood doesn't "settle" correctly in the latches, if that makes sense. The hood isn't deformed.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by 4play

I have noticed inconsistencies in the shut line - not that one side is latched and the other is (which is a big/obvious gap), but actual differences in how large/where the gap is when the hood is fully closed depending on how hard the hood was slammed.

It looks like the first post. In my experience, this is because you either didn't slam it hard enough or evenly - the latches are both shut, but the hood doesn't "settle" correctly in the latches, if that makes sense. The hood isn't deformed.

Believe me, it's closed completely. Several shops have already tried to adjust it with no success. Granted, they weren't body shops, but the chances of all of them including me not closing it all the way are zero. I've been well aware of the proper method of closing it for quite awhile. Regardless I appreciate your perspective!

[4play]

Originally Posted by jmg

Believe me, it's closed completely. Several shops have already tried to adjust it with no success. Granted, they weren't body shops, but the chances of all of them including me not closing it all the way are zero. I've been well aware of the proper method of closing it for quite awhile.

I don't mean that it's not completely closed.

I'm saying that even if I close it properly (slam from 18" up) and both latches are engaged, I have noticed inconsistency in the way that the hood sits. Sometimes it's perfectly flush and sometimes it looks like your first post. My theory is that does not always sit perfectly within the latch cradle.

I don't think my hood is deformed, but who knows. Will try to get photos to show what I mean.