AcuraFO

Hi Folks,

I am probably being OCD about this as i am with everything, but i noticed something today while trying to wash the salt off my car.

There is a minor difference on the Left and Right side of the front fender where it meets the headlights. On the Right Front side it fits snug right under the headlight while on the Left front side of the fender there is a SMALL (maybe 1/16th of an inch) gap between where the fender meets the rear part of the headlight. (I am talking the back part where the orange part of the parking light/turn signals are......) There isnt any movement on the fender other than the usual wiggle from the plastic and nothing below the fender is out of place or hanging.

I tried to take some pictures with the phone but they didn't turn out too good.

I do remember scraping the front fender a little bit (Former SUV owner getting used to the low ground feeling), but it wasnt too bad.

Any thoughts, ideas, or am i thinking way too much into this?? Any of you guys see the same thing?

thanks.

-AFO

AcuraFO

tried to post pics, but it wouldnt let me.

my biggest concern in all of this is if water gets in under the headlight between the light and the fender. not sure what consequences, if any, that would have.

drive safe.

-afo

NAiL05

You sure the car didnt get hit before? Mine seems pretty even.

AcuraFO

yeh, the car never got hit or dented in. i mean, the thing is hardly noticable.....its only when i run my hand across the light/fender i feel the gap. then i can see it when i take a closer look.

just thought it was strange. was wondering if anyone else saw something similar in theirs

NAiL05

Ill double check to verify tomorrow when its a bit brighter outside...Rain is no fun.

AcuraFO

yeh your telling me! i got a quick break in the rain to try to wash off the salt on/under my car. i looked like a moron in the driveway hosing my car down in 43 degree temps.

luckily i got it in the garage before the next ban of shower's came through. another batch of rain/snow for the carolina's this weekend and next week, so baby isn't getting a bath for another week.

drive safe.

afo

AnthraciteAspec

iTrader: (6)

Are you the original owner of the car? I had this problem after removing my bumper to clear my headlights. My passenger light wasn't lining up properly but after some tweaking it is lining up again.

AcuraFO

not the original owner. one before me. but no damage or incidents. what did you do when you "tweaked" it in line?? it really just seems like its on tighter on the passenger side then on the drivers side if that makes any sense. its just a gap under the headlight the size of a penny. (the thickness of the penny)

-afo

AnthraciteAspec

iTrader: (6)

1. If water gets in there no its not going to hurt anything, this is merely a cosmetic issue.

2. Your issue sounds a bit different than mine but I would need to see pics of your car to tell for sure.

3. Solution: to me it sounds like you have a gap between the headlight and bumper. I would bet your bumper has been removed at some point and when it was put back on it wasn't done 100% correct. To fix it you will need to remove your bumper and make sure all of the clips (or hook things) between the headlight and bumper are secure. See this page for reference to what I am talking about:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/headlight-front-bumper-inner-fender-w-wash-tank-hid-bulb-scans-garage-e-001-g-001-a-587181/

Also here is a video on removing your bumper:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/diy-video-updated-removing-front-bumper-3g-garage-e-080-a-628363/

Hope that helps.

AcuraFO

thanks AA,

i think it is just the bumper isnt realigned snugg with the driver side headlight. as long as there is no mechanical/electrical issues that can spawn from it--i think i am fine with it.

I just wasn't sure if it was going to be a continuing problem, ie the front bumper randomly falls off or something.

thanks for your help!!

drive safe.

-afo

djflex167

so if u car was hit for instance, that means your bumber would never meet the headlight properly, i mean close the gap? can this be fix by a good bodyshop? just wondering

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

^
Yes, it can be fixed. It's just a gap.

OP, if you really are talking about literally 1/16"...NOBODY will notice that.

But, it is your car, so you will.

It doesn't seem that big a deal though.

djflex167

you are right but thanks for the advice lol

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Anthracite was right. You can tweak the bumper and the headlights after removing them. Not a big deal. If, if you don't feel comfortable doing that yourself, I would take it to a body shop and offer them $30 to do it.