Posting another thread about this because I tried searching for the old threads but I think acurazine changed its search function and I can't seem to find the previous threads about this problem.

So here's my problem, bought 03 tl-s back in september and it had a little gap between the headlight and the bumper. A month ago I got stuck in a snow bank and I think the foot high snow nudged the bumper even lower.

I'm in toronto btw, I tried to go to Acura of North York, but their bodyshop guy is NEVER there. So a friend referred me to CarWings Auto, apparently they are very good at fixing bodies. The gentleman looked at it and advised me not to throw any money on it, because it may be ugly but it isn't worth spending money on it. He said this was the result of a front end collision by the previous owner. I was a quite angry when I heard this.

He also said that hondas/acura have this problem because there are fewer mounts for the bumper cover than other cars.

Should I get a second opinion? Who else has experience with this issue?

This is not my car, but i've circled the problem areas.

 

One contributing factor could be the position of the headlights. I found that after reinstalling my driver's side headlight my bumper didn't fit as well on that side, so I adjusted the level of the headlight housing and it helped. Sometimes you simply have to take the bumper off (super easy) and then try reinstalling it yourself, playing with it and working it into place as best you can. However, if the actual bumper behind the fascia is out of place, adjusting the fascia may be incredibly difficult.

 

its just the headlights being put back in crooked

 

It could also be the bar under the headlight, kinda like a reinforcement bar, be too low. Adjust it up and your bumper also goes up. Hope it helps.

 

^X2....when i had my headlights blacked out we put the bar under the headlight to high and my bumper wouldnt even go on....had to play around with it until we got right...

 

the bar under the head light, is what adjust the gap between teh bumper and the headlight. its got 3 10mm bolts holding it. adjust ist slightly up and tighten teh bolts and u should be goo.

 

Thanks for all the replies, gives me more confidence to know this is a common issue. I will either bring this up to the body guy, or do this myself with a friend after getting some tools in a week or two.

Are there any detailed reference pictures of the front fascia? On/Off

 

its this black bar thats under the head light and wraps around to the side. dont have any more pics. let me know if u need a close up of anything since my front bumper is off.


ps: dont mind the intercooler and pipes.

 

^^^^

 

I have the same issue with my TL my headlights dont fit flush anymore...my bodyshop says my firm is bent. seems the person I bought my TL from had a bit more happen to the car than listed on Car fax...but I'm a give some of these tips a try and see if I can get them to fit a bit better. It isnt that bad now....unless you get up close you can't really tell but you know how it is...someone else may not notice but YOU know...lol

 

Yeah, same here. Both sides. I'm going to have to wait til I have a day off (if I'm not doing anything else, that is) and take a look. It's pissing me off seeing it droop right under the headlights.