Body panel misalignment anyone?
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Body panel misalignment anyone?
I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't notice the brutal bumper/fender/hood misalignment on my 2021 TLX Tech the day I took delivery. I noticed it after a few days of ownership and sent photos to the dealership asking if they could take care of this later. Recently another one surfaced on Facebook with exactly the same issue as mine. The right side body panel alignment person must have been on a smoke break when our cars came down the line.
On Facebook someone chimed in "They really need to let me run their final inspection teams as this is ridiculous! I can only imagine seeing something like this in the Lexus ES plant where I work. They would shut assembly down RIGHT NOW!!"
The original poster said - "They told me the Acura rep came out and said it was normal. I am going to contact Acura corporate. They also had my car a week just to tell me that they would do nothing.
The other fellow's car.
My car.
My car, other side.
On Facebook someone chimed in "They really need to let me run their final inspection teams as this is ridiculous! I can only imagine seeing something like this in the Lexus ES plant where I work. They would shut assembly down RIGHT NOW!!"
The original poster said - "They told me the Acura rep came out and said it was normal. I am going to contact Acura corporate. They also had my car a week just to tell me that they would do nothing.
The other fellow's car.
My car.
My car, other side.
#3
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
or maybe they have higher goals and have Tesla body gaps in mind.
to me; the fender looks like an easy fix...if you want to try to align it...the fender is held in by three or four bolts under the hood. dont completely remove the bolts but just loosen them and then you can move the fender in. then re-tighten the bolts down.
Last edited by justnspace; 08-31-2021 at 05:58 PM.
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#4
Tell me about it. I didn’t notice my RDX tailgate was misaligned until three days after I bought the vehicle. I usually check the panel alignment before purchasing, but the day I bought the car it was like 100 degrees out and I got distracted. All my body shop could do was close the gap some yet it was still noticeable. Mines was a 2019. I was on an Acura dealership lot last week and while it appears they’ve reduced the tailgate gap in general in no way are they’re laying flush as you’d expect.
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SebringSilver (08-31-2021)
#5
With the amount of rattles I had to tackle on my 2020 RDX, I concluded the build qualities on these Acura are dogshit (hence my avatar). Precisely why I'll never pay for another one anywhere close to sticker. But, I'm just your local hater, so don't mind me ...
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#6
Three Wheelin'
Acura is aspiring to be the next Ford.
or maybe they have higher goals and have Tesla body gaps in mind.
to me; the fender looks like an easy fix...if you want to try to align it...the fender is held in by three or four bolts under the hood. dont completely remove the bolts but just loosen them and then you can move the fender in. then re-tighten the bolts down.
or maybe they have higher goals and have Tesla body gaps in mind.
to me; the fender looks like an easy fix...if you want to try to align it...the fender is held in by three or four bolts under the hood. dont completely remove the bolts but just loosen them and then you can move the fender in. then re-tighten the bolts down.
Tell me about it. I didn’t notice my RDX tailgate was misaligned until three days after I bought the vehicle. I usually check the panel alignment before purchasing, but the day I bought the car it was like 100 degrees out and I got distracted. All my body shop could do was close the gap some yet it was still noticeable. Mines was a 2019. I was on an Acura dealership lot last week and while it appears they’ve reduced the tailgate gap in general in no way are they’re laying flush as you’d expect.
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Trending Topics
#9
Acura community used to be above others. We were somewhat aristocrat in that sense, open to dialogue with respect and appreciation of other's opinion. Now, Acura community has become same or worse than others. If you dare to say something constructive or God forbit, critique towards Acura product, you are immediately labeled as a hater. It's a sad state of affairs.
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leomio2.0 (09-01-2021)
#11
Intermediate
One of my co-workers gave my TLX a little nudge on the front bumper in our parking lot and the local Acura dealer told me that they don't do any kind of body work.
#12
Intermediate
Acura community used to be above others. We were somewhat aristocrat in that sense, open to dialogue with respect and appreciation of other's opinion. Now, Acura community has become same or worse than others. If you dare to say something constructive or God forbit, critique towards Acura product, you are immediately labeled as a hater. It's a sad state of affairs.
#13
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
For the record, I don't mind when someone says that they want Acura to be better. I do take issue with a bunch of knobbers that drive G70's hanging out on an Acura board to talk smack about how great their glorified Hyundai is. I still don't get that. "But....but...but.....I used to drive an Acura!" I don't go hang out at an ex-girlfriend's house just because we used to have sex.
I still own an Acura. Most people still own Honda's or Acura's in their household or have family members that have Acura's.
we've also have become friends over the years. Once you move on from the brand, doesn't mean you have to move on from the forum, the community.
there is no rule stating that.
there is no rule stating that JEEP guys cant come hang out here. There is no rule stating that Acura guys and gals cant hang out on a JEEP forum.
Brand loyalty doesnt mean shit.
it's totally different than human loyalty.
Because Brands dont care about you. Humans care. Brands dont care.
Last edited by justnspace; 09-01-2021 at 01:19 PM.
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#14
Moderator
but that's not what is happening...
I still own an Acura. Most people still own Honda's or Acura's in their household or have family members that have Acura's.
we've also have become friends over the years. Once you move on from the brand, doesn't mean you have to move on from the forum....
there is no rule stating that.
I still own an Acura. Most people still own Honda's or Acura's in their household or have family members that have Acura's.
we've also have become friends over the years. Once you move on from the brand, doesn't mean you have to move on from the forum....
there is no rule stating that.
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pyrodan007 (09-01-2021)
#15
Intermediate
but that's not what is happening...
I still own an Acura. Most people still own Honda's or Acura's in their household or have family members that have Acura's.
we've also have become friends over the years. Once you move on from the brand, doesn't mean you have to move on from the forum, the community.
there is no rule stating that.
there is no rule stating that JEEP guys cant come hang out here. There is no rule stating that Acura guys and gals cant hang out on a JEEP forum.
Brand loyalty doesnt mean shit.
it's totally different than human loyalty.
Because Brands dont care about you. Humans care. Brands dont care.
I still own an Acura. Most people still own Honda's or Acura's in their household or have family members that have Acura's.
we've also have become friends over the years. Once you move on from the brand, doesn't mean you have to move on from the forum, the community.
there is no rule stating that.
there is no rule stating that JEEP guys cant come hang out here. There is no rule stating that Acura guys and gals cant hang out on a JEEP forum.
Brand loyalty doesnt mean shit.
it's totally different than human loyalty.
Because Brands dont care about you. Humans care. Brands dont care.
There is no rule saying that you can't be a fan of another brand, but I've seen too many threads on this forum get bogged down by non-Acura drivers talking about how great their cars are compared to the TLX. Again, if I wanted to learn about glorified Hyundai's, I'd visit that board. I do agree that this place doesn't need to be a close minded circle jerk that ignores the flaws that Acura's do possess.
#16
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
^you're way off base again.
no one would compare the X5 to a Jeep.
there are comparisons on off-road forums comparing Lexus/Toyota's to Jeeps. there are comparisons between the Jeep and the Bronco.
there are plenty of off-road forums comparing these off-road vehicles. I know because I am in the market for a GX460/4runner/Jeep/Bronco
similarly; one can compare the Genesis brand to the Acura brand because it's in the same playing field.
again, what you drive or own doesn't make up your character or who you are as a person.
I take that back... you can compare the X7 to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
similarly; you can compare the X5 to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
no one would compare the X5 to a Jeep.
there are comparisons on off-road forums comparing Lexus/Toyota's to Jeeps. there are comparisons between the Jeep and the Bronco.
there are plenty of off-road forums comparing these off-road vehicles. I know because I am in the market for a GX460/4runner/Jeep/Bronco
similarly; one can compare the Genesis brand to the Acura brand because it's in the same playing field.
again, what you drive or own doesn't make up your character or who you are as a person.
I take that back... you can compare the X7 to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
similarly; you can compare the X5 to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Last edited by justnspace; 09-01-2021 at 02:28 PM.
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justnspace (09-01-2021)
#19
I love how one person posts a issue with a body panel gap and usual suspects come out of the wood work to pile on. Go google any manufacturer with "body panel gap". I just did with Mercedes and guess what? Tons of threads pertaining to this issue with even Mercedes. I guess they are going down the tube too. You guys amaze me.
#20
Moderator
iTrader: (1)
I love how one person posts a issue with a body panel gap and usual suspects come out of the wood work to pile on. Go google any manufacturer with "body panel gap". I just did with Mercedes and guess what? Tons of threads pertaining to this issue with even Mercedes. I guess they are going down the tube too. You guys amaze me.
all the current acura owners were agreeing that they had gaps.
I chimed in with a tongue and cheek response. and gave tips on how to resolve the issue.
overly dramatic, nexx. lol
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#21
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Acura community used to be above others. We were somewhat aristocrat in that sense, open to dialogue with respect and appreciation of other's opinion. Now, Acura community has become same or worse than others. If you dare to say something constructive or God forbit, critique towards Acura product, you are immediately labeled as a hater. It's a sad state of affairs.
#22
6G TLX-S
Nowadays all major auto manufacturers are using robots in assembling mass production automobiles. Robots are known for precision and repeatability.
Unless the front fenders are assembled by human hands, otherwise if there is one car that has misaligned body panels, it is likely that the entire batch of productions will have the exact problem.
Unless the front fenders are assembled by human hands, otherwise if there is one car that has misaligned body panels, it is likely that the entire batch of productions will have the exact problem.
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justnspace (09-01-2021)
#23
Three Wheelin'
For the record, I don't mind when someone says that they want Acura to be better. I do take issue with a bunch of knobbers that drive G70's hanging out on an Acura board to talk smack about how great their glorified Hyundai is. I still don't get that. "But....but...but.....I used to drive an Acura!" I don't go hang out at an ex-girlfriend's house just because we used to have sex.
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#24
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Nowadays all major auto manufacturers are using robots in assembling mass production automobiles. Robots are known for precision and repeatability.
Unless the front fenders are assembled by human hands, otherwise if there is one car that has misaligned body panels, it is likely that the entire batch of productions will have the exact problem.
Unless the front fenders are assembled by human hands, otherwise if there is one car that has misaligned body panels, it is likely that the entire batch of productions will have the exact problem.
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04WDPSeDaN (09-01-2021)
#26
Intermediate
Thread Starter
#27
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Wish me luck. The dealership has booked my car in at a bodyshop to get the panels aligned next Thursday. I'll report back with photos when it's all done.
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justnspace (09-02-2021)
#29
Senior Moderator
For the record, I don't mind when someone says that they want Acura to be better. I do take issue with a bunch of knobbers that drive G70's hanging out on an Acura board to talk smack about how great their glorified Hyundai is. I still don't get that. "But....but...but.....I used to drive an Acura!" I don't go hang out at an ex-girlfriend's house just because we used to have sex.
back to the topic at hand, I just visually surveyed the gaps in my A-Spec and all seem to be reasonable for any make as far as I'm concerned. But the OP's gap is one of those things which may grate on me over time.
#30
Moderator
I have to confess, that one made me ....didnt see that one coming.
back to the topic at hand, I just visually surveyed the gaps in my A-Spec and all seem to be reasonable for any make as far as I'm concerned. But the OP's gap is one of those things which may grate on me over time.
back to the topic at hand, I just visually surveyed the gaps in my A-Spec and all seem to be reasonable for any make as far as I'm concerned. But the OP's gap is one of those things which may grate on me over time.
#31
Senior Moderator
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#32
Burning Brakes
@Zozzle ,
Those pics in first post ... yours is not too bad.
The other guys car ... looks like maybe it got "bumped" already and bumper-cover is pushed back a bit. If so, that is by design and is easy to fix/re-align. Much of that bumper/grill is just "snapped together" with special clips anyway.
Those pics in first post ... yours is not too bad.
The other guys car ... looks like maybe it got "bumped" already and bumper-cover is pushed back a bit. If so, that is by design and is easy to fix/re-align. Much of that bumper/grill is just "snapped together" with special clips anyway.
#33
Intermediate
Thread Starter
@Zozzle ,
Those pics in first post ... yours is not too bad.
The other guys car ... looks like maybe it got "bumped" already and bumper-cover is pushed back a bit. If so, that is by design and is easy to fix/re-align. Much of that bumper/grill is just "snapped together" with special clips anyway.
Those pics in first post ... yours is not too bad.
The other guys car ... looks like maybe it got "bumped" already and bumper-cover is pushed back a bit. If so, that is by design and is easy to fix/re-align. Much of that bumper/grill is just "snapped together" with special clips anyway.
#36
Looks like the hood is a little lower on the passenger side. Bumping the adjuster up a little on that side may make it look a little better. Not sure if I would mess with a body shop. Sometimes things are better left alone. Maybe they can make it better or maybe it ends up worse.
#37
Senior Moderator
QC team was caught snoozing that day. Thinking team J-VIN would never let this slide.
#38
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Looks like the hood is a little lower on the passenger side. Bumping the adjuster up a little on that side may make it look a little better. Not sure if I would mess with a body shop. Sometimes things are better left alone. Maybe they can make it better or maybe it ends up worse.
#39
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I'm the OP with the mis-aligned fender/hood/bumper. The dealer subs bodywork out to a local body shop. They fixed my car to my satisfaction within 1/2 a day.
I'll give you before and after pics of the worst part. The passenger side of the hood was raised by using the hood rubber bumper. They fixed the low hood by just screwing the bumper out a little bit. The bumper is ingenious as the rubber bumper itself has very coarse screw threads cast into its base. So they just simply turn the bumper and re-check. It's perfect now. The passenger side bumper is screwed out about a 1/2" more than the driver's side so what does that tell you?
The fender to frt bumper alignment is just about dead perfect.
The other owner from Facebook that I mentioned in my OP really got the shaft as they had his car a week and told him it couldn't be fixed.
Anyway, hats off to the ones who fixed my car - Acura West in London Ontario Canada and Jones Auto Body West also in London Ont.
I'll give you before and after pics of the worst part. The passenger side of the hood was raised by using the hood rubber bumper. They fixed the low hood by just screwing the bumper out a little bit. The bumper is ingenious as the rubber bumper itself has very coarse screw threads cast into its base. So they just simply turn the bumper and re-check. It's perfect now. The passenger side bumper is screwed out about a 1/2" more than the driver's side so what does that tell you?
The fender to frt bumper alignment is just about dead perfect.
The other owner from Facebook that I mentioned in my OP really got the shaft as they had his car a week and told him it couldn't be fixed.
Anyway, hats off to the ones who fixed my car - Acura West in London Ontario Canada and Jones Auto Body West also in London Ont.
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