How much panel gap is too much or Can this be adjusted

[bassplayrr]

Loving every minute with my new-to-me T/A. However, since the day I brought her home two weeks ago, I keep getting the same question/concern from passengers. As I'm sure is customary for most when they buy a Viper, I've been giving a lot of rides to friends and family.

At least a half-dozen times now, I've had my passengers express concerns that they couldn't get their door closed. Upon close inspection, the door is latching just fine. However, the alignment of the lower portion of the passenger door is so poor, it appears to be ajar. It's out a good 1/4 to 1/2 inch at the rear, bottom half and looks almost exactly like when you don't completely shut a door. Photos are below.

So, the big question is: can this be adjusted? I need to take the car in to the dealer for an alignment and to have the driver's front tire remounted (the tire is mounted with the inside on the outside, and vise versa). I'd love to get this door alignment issue resolved at the same time if it's possible. I'm keenly aware that Vipers are not know for great panel gap/fitment. I'm not looking to be "that guy" and pick nits. However, this gap seems pretty egregious by any standard.

Is an adjustment possible? Suggestions from those more educated more than I on Vipers?

Offending gap from above:
21249

Offending gap from rear, looking forward:
2125021251

Driver's side - okay:
21252

Bonus pic of passenger side rear quarter/rear bumper poor fitment:
21253

Thanks all!

[BlueAdder]

That ain't cool. I would bring it to the dealership and have them fix it.
I hear something about doors getting unlatched at the most inopportune time yikes!

[biturboamg]

I know the gaps are not the best on vipers similar to the ford gt's but that is to much. I would take in to dealer and see what they do.

[edc]

Wow...that's bad...

[sharmut]

That's pretty bad. Definitely would take your car back to the dealer to investigate.
I have a small gap on the rear section of the rocket panel. It was self inflicted. Didn't adjust the panel correctly during exhaust investigation.

[Ninjakris]

The rear panel is easy. Just loosen the screws inside the wheel well and pull out the bumper a little.

As for the door, I'd let the dealership take a look at that one for sure. I can't recall any adjustment in the rear quarter panel. My guess is they will have to do some kind of adjustment to the latch location inside the door jam, but who knows.

[bassplayrr]

Thanks all for the quick replies. I'll get some time booked with the dealer.

What's odd is that the top of the door, near the handle, is aligned fine. As is the front. It's just that lower, rear edge.

I'll attempt to fix the minor bumper alignment myself and update everyone on what my local dealer is able to accomplish with the door.

[theviper]

That's no a panel gap issue. It's a misalignment issue. Has the door been damaged or repaired. No way did it leave like that from the factory.

[sadil]

Yeah after walking through the factory, something like that would have been easily identified. I doubt it would have even have made it through build! Final inspection would have also caught it if it did.

[bassplayrr]

No damage in the car's history reports and, looking at the quality of the paint in comparison to the rest of the car, the door does not appear to have been resprayed. All other panels on that side (with the exception of the minor bumper misalignment) are very well aligned. One of the exhaust pipes has been replaced under warranty, but it seems odd that a door would have been removed for that work.

[kaamacat]

Can you take some close pics of both the upper and lower front door hinges when the door is fully opened? (Normally if the door
was removed you'd see some tell-tale signs of removal from marks on the mounting bolts or, around the bases of the hinge
itself where it has already made an impression in the paint on the body area)

[bassplayrr]

Excellent idea. Will do. I'm at the office now, but will snap a pic or two tonight.

[ViperPete]

The panels all have a small amount of adjustment. When i installed the headers on the car recently i found out the hard way. I had to remove/replace the side sill several times to get everything to line up. On my drivers side the door does stick out slightly still. I have to pull off that sill and try and get it to fit better.

[AZTVR]

I'm not looking to be "that guy" and pick nits. However, this gap seems pretty egregious by any standard.

Is an adjustment possible? Suggestions from those more educated more than I on Vipers?


Just so you know that you are not the only one: 2013 gts limited Edition - doors not fully aligned to body panel (http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/672605-2013-gts-limited-Edition-doors-not-fully-aligned-to-body-panel)

[7TH_SIGN]

I can tell you from when I had to uninstall and reinstall my hinge cover panels that I was able to align them better than the factory.

[bassplayrr]

Just so you know that you are not the only one: 2013 gts limited Edition - doors not fully aligned to body panel (http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/672605-2013-gts-limited-Edition-doors-not-fully-aligned-to-body-panel)

Thank you AZTVR, that's very reassuring actually. Given the responses with (fair) concerns on possible pre-existing damage, it's nice to see cars shipped new with very similar door issues.

[bassplayrr]

I cut out the office a bit early and examined the hinges are suggested. Neither the hinges nor the latch show any obvious signes of being uninstalled/reinstalled. The bolt heards are free of ware and there is no appearent depression in the paint showing that the hinge was ever anywhere other than where it is currently.

[biturboamg]

My front bumper has a difference in gaps around the head lights. My guess is it is the hood mold vs the front bumper but one side you can fit you pinky in the gap and the other side it won't fit. I had my painter look and no damage and no issues just not lined up even and no way to fix it that he saw.

[ViperPete]

I wish the rear hatch had significantly smaller panel gaps. Looks peculiar from the rear how large they are.

[ek1]

Someone could have leaned on the door during shipment or at the dealership. I looked at mine and it's not as bad.