New ACR Owner, need advice

Endeka · Dec 10, 2013

I bought a nice 01 ACR last month, and the paint is in absolutely flawless condition, not a single chip, documentation, original window sticker, the whole 9. I'm really pleased.

But there's one issue with the car. The people who installed the full Belanger system at the wee little dealership in Kansas decided to remove the hood to do it, and cocked up the hood alignment when they re-attached it. Here's what it looks like:

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Yes, the car went through a full PPI before purchase, yes, I was under the car on a lift and inspected the frame (and RMS, etc.) myself, yes, it really has never been in an accident or had paintwork on the front end. I spent nearly 4 hours going over this thing before I handed over the cash.

I would like pictures of how to level that corner out. It's just the one side up, and it's raised in a very linear way, like there's probably just one adjustment that needs to be lowered to square it off. I've googled the threads on here, but I really was hoping to get some pictures since the hood is monstrously heavy and everyone keeps saying that any careless attempt will make things worse. Alternatively, if you know a damn good viper body shop in the Philadelphia/Lehigh Valley area, let me know, I can certainly afford to have a pro work on my new baby.

Thanks guys.

Tom Sessions · Dec 10, 2013

If they removed the hood by taking off the 4 nuts that hold the hood to the hood hinge there is no adjustment. I would look and make sure the latch is fully catching on that side. Pull up on the hood over the wheel to see if it's latched. Could be something as simple as adjusting the latch assembly. Also when closing the hood don't be afraid to shut it with some force. Just makes sure you place your hands back over the hood attachment points. DO not push from the very front of the hood.

Endeka · Dec 10, 2013

Thanks, I'll check that out. Do you know if there are any pictures online of what I'm looking for? There's not a lot of room to maneuver in there, and I'm super paranoid about messing something else up with the hood alignment.

Camfab · Dec 11, 2013

That really does look odd, and as Tom pointed out, if they had just loosened the four bolts holding the hood to the hinge you would have perfect alignment. What's odd to me is that the front seam seems to be in alignment. Its almost like you left a towel on top of the light housing. Can you see something a miss when you look above the housing when the hood is closed. It's common to have alignment issues with these hoods, but yours is very odd. Did your car come with the original ACR wheels as well?

dtvtech · Dec 13, 2013

That's really odd...it's almost like the front bumper was off and reset too high or too tight....to get the hood down to the top of the headlights it looks like it would hit the front bumper when closing....puzzling. :omg:

My guess is the hinge on the drivers side is bent slightly ????

sparkrn · Dec 14, 2013

Hood looks warped to me.

Endeka · Dec 15, 2013

The leading edge of the hood is not quite straight, although it appears that way in pictures. The hinges appear to be locking fully, and the turning rubber stopper is not the issue.

When pressure is applied gently to the hood directly behind the light, the gap is perfect. The hood needs to shift down about 1/2 inch at the outer edge, but I'm not sure if there's an adjustment for that.

The frustrating thing is that I've found at least 5 threads here and on the Alley going back years with Gen-1/Gen-II owners who have, judging by pictures, this EXACT misalignment in their hood. The threads ask for help, there's some speculation, but no definitive answer. Somebody out there knows how/if this can be fixed, and I'm going to figure it out and post. We're completely burried in snow/salt now, and I can't work on it very well in my garage because of space issues.

dtvtech · Dec 15, 2013

Actually after thinking about it I might have something you can try .... if I can explain it well enough for you. Lets assume the car is perfect and they only removed the hood and replaced it like they told you. Logic says then only the four bolts that hold the hood on were loosened right? What I think you should try is loosen the two bolts on the drivers side and let the hood drop down a fraction of an inch I think that the hood is twisted slightly being higher on the brackets on the drivers side. If this is the case the gap hood to bumper will be tight on the passengers and slightly wider on the drivers side also when its shut check the gaps at the far corners by the doors. If this is the case the drivers door gap will be tight and the passengers door gap will be open more .... the key is to be able to get all those gaps the same by loosening the four bolts that hold the hood on and tweaking the hood left or right .... hope that helps.

Endeka · Dec 15, 2013

That's a good thought. As soon as I can get it out I'll give that a shot.

Also, to the guy who mentioned hood warping, is that a thing with Viper hoods? How would set fiberglass warp, especially in a non-load bearing area?

Finally, not sure if it's at all relevant to the question of the hood, but yes, I have a set of BBS wheels too.

AZTVR · Dec 15, 2013

Endeka said:
That's a good thought. As soon as I can get it out I'll give that a shot.

Also, to the guy who mentioned hood warping, is that a thing with Viper hoods? How would set fiberglass warp, especially in a non-load bearing area?

I do not remember any posts on this site about warped hoods over the years that I have been following this forum. All cautions are against cracking the hood. I very much doubt that it could be warped.

Viper98912 · Dec 15, 2013

Your bumper to hood side gap doesn't look too bad. You're most likely going to need to adjust the headlight, hood, and bumper to get it to line up right.

The wonders of owning a car that's built like a kit car with shims all over the place.

Endeka · Dec 15, 2013

The wonders of owning a car that's built like a kit car with shims all over the place.

Yeah, lol. Next time I'll learn my lesson and get the Ferrari 360.

Are there any body shops in the Philadelphia/New Jersey metro area that are skilled at this type of thing? I'm only asking because I removed the hood of my Corvette to do a Vararam install and getting it to line up factory again turned into a total s--tshow very quickly. I don't want to get noodling around and make it worse.

There are a couple of Viper certified SRT dealers, but to me, that just means they paid a fee, not that they're actually good at Viper bodywork.

AZTVR · Dec 16, 2013

Viper98912 said:
The wonders of owning a car that's built like a kit car with shims all over the place.

Or like an older Corvette.

v10enomous · Dec 16, 2013

Looks like the headlight housing is low but that doesn't explain the gap. :dunno:

Maybe the fascia needs adjustment too...

Endeka · Dec 16, 2013

Anybody know any good body shops in the area (Eastern/Central PA or NJ/DE) that specialize in this? I'm willing to pay for it to be just right. This thing is so insane, I want it to be perfect.

Camfab · Dec 17, 2013

The hood is a serious PIA to deal with. Wait till you have to deal with sagging doors. You are correct, Viper tech doesn't equal Gen II, body man.

Dan Cragin · Dec 17, 2013

This is a common issue, the front fascia, hood supports and headlights often become misaligned from hitting a speed bump or steep driveway. It can be a little frustrating as you may need to remove the front bumper cover. The alignment measurements (starting with the radiator support) are outlined in the service manual. Once you get it apart it makes more sense, everything is adjustable, even the headlight location.

Endeka · Dec 17, 2013

Ok. I have a full set of service manuals. It's just crazy because the facia still has the original paint (the original little plastic bra wings are still on the bottom corners of it) and it looks absolutely amazing, there's not a mark on it, so I'm not sure where it would have gotten hit).

Anyway, here's another pic, not intended to highlight the damage, but shows the daylight coming in:

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AZTVR · Dec 17, 2013

Endeka said:
Anyway, here's another pic, not intended to highlight the damage, but shows the daylight coming in:

To me, that photo looks just like my hood looks when I sometimes don't get that side fully latched. ( I was taught to always tug with slight force on the L&R front corners to verify full latching.

I have no experience though in adjusting anything. In my case, I just have to raise the front of the hood and push it down normally again. I would first suspect that latch is not working right possibly? Maybe they pressure washed the lube out of it to make it pretty for sale?
Maybe this issue is simpler than it seems?

(Note: if you add lube, there are places in the hood hinges thou shalt not lube, or it will not stay up on its own. There are photos somewhere. Lubing the latches should be OK.)

ACRSNK · Dec 18, 2013

You are not that far....just take it to Chuck Tator. I'm sure he could help you with your hood.

P.S. Congrats on the car!

Endeka · Dec 18, 2013

Does Chuck do body stuff?

AZTVR · Dec 19, 2013

Endeka said:
Does Chuck do body stuff?

If not, I would bet that he knows the best place in his area to take a Viper to for adjusting gaps.

ViperJohn · Dec 19, 2013

Not sure if Chris Berone still has his shop in Jersey, he is another alternative. Tator is another viable option. I will also email one of our DE members to see if he knows of any reputable shops.

klpilot · Dec 20, 2013

My 2000 rt/10 did the exact same thing when the hood wouldn't totally latch correctly. It only has happened a couple of times and never on my 97 gts. In my case was a simple open and re-shut firmly. You may have a bigger problem than I with that front latch... good luck and keep us posted

Endeka · Dec 20, 2013

I don't think it's the latch, I've opened and re-shut a couple of times.

Endeka · Dec 20, 2013

Thank you. I'm happy to travel to Tator (need to find a window in the snow this winter and get it there on a day when he can service it same-day), but I'd love to know what's out there too. The car is just so perfect otherwise, I want it to be 100%.

Endeka · Dec 21, 2013

Talked to Chuck today and sent him the pictures. He said it's within the normal range of adjustment, and he's seen cars with this kind of aberration before. I'll probably take it up to NY after the New Year and get it set up.

GmanSRT10 · Dec 28, 2013

Make sure the hood stops are adjusted correctly. Turn them in or out and try shutting the hood again.

GhostStalker27 · Feb 23, 2014

My ACR has an equally bad gap, same side too.

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I'm gonna try to tackle this myself, but would like to talk to some knowledgeable/experienced people first. If I get it figured out I'll be back with what it took.

7TH_SIGN · Feb 24, 2014

Like many of you, my driver side is a tad bit higher then the passenger side. You can't tell unless your a Viper owner. Following the lines of the head lights, I can clearly see that my front bumper needs to be adjusted a little higher on the drivers side. Its such a small difference that I don't bother with it for the sake of making it or other parts of the hood worse. My car only has 1,200 miles on it with zero body work, safe to say it came like that from the factory.

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