- Identify any adjacent panels that may also need adjustment to successfully align the hood to within specification.
NOTE:
If multiple panels require adjustment, the best practice is to start with a panel that is adjacent to a fixed panel on the vehicle (e.g. quarter panel or roof rail).
NOTE:
The optimal adjustment order is the following:
- Trunk/liftgate
- Rear doors
- Front doors
- Fenders
- Hood
- Remove the striker for the hood to accurately assess the natural alignment of the assembly.
CAUTION:
Forcing the hood gaps into alignment via latch adjustments can lead to premature wear on the hinge and latch assemblies.
- Identify what directions the hood needs to be adjusted to bring it within specification.
- Use the images below to identify the hardware that needs to be loosened to adjust the hood position in the necessary directions.
 Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
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 Courtesy of TESLA, INC.
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- Loosen the necessary bolts just enough to enable adjusting the assemblies with a light application of force.
- Retighten them.
- Check to see if the fit has improved.
CAUTION:
Adjust the hood in only one direction at a time to reduce risk of damage from panels contacting each other during the adjustment process.
- Repeat the process until the hood fit is within gap and flushness specifications.
- Re-torque all hardware that was loosened back to factory values.
- Reinstall the striker and torque to factory values.
- Adjust the hood latch until the hood latches securely in place without excessive closing effort and sits flush to adjacent panels in the fully latched position.