Bonnet gap - Is this normal?

[SCFC_Messiah]

Hi guys. Had this gap between the front edge of the bonnet and the grille/bumper since owning the car. Hoped that when I had the S3 bumper fitted it would cure it, but unfortunately it's still prominent. From some angles you barely notice it, but from others (looking at it when crouched especially) it almost looks as though the bonnet has been popped open

The bumper lines up nicely with the wings, so I can't see it being the bumper that is out. But then saying that, the bonnet lines up nicely with the wings too.... so I just can't work it out

What do you think?

 

[coreythorny]

My S3 sits like that so I presume its normal

 

[leeds2592]

That looks fine dude.

Ever since I took my bonnet off I've not been able to get it to sit right and there's a gap about twice the size of yours

 

[SCFC_Messiah]

I used to own an MG ZR which were rightly slammed for their massive panel gaps. I expected better from ze Germans

Ever since I took my bonnet off I've not been able to get it to sit right and there's a gap about twice the size of yours

That would drive me crazy

 

[TDI140]

Happened to my car the bumper dropped down as it broke from inside whilst trying to fit my black grill so i bought an s line bumper lol but im sure if u jiggle it around and oull upwards after loosening the bumper it should sit correctly again

 

[SCFC_Messiah]

But the bumper lines up perfectly with the wings. I can't see how it's possible to push it up any further!?

 

[TDI140]

Not sure then pal was bumper recently removed ?

 

[SCFC_Messiah]

Had the S3 bumper fitted this week. But had a similar gap with my old SLine bumper

 

[leeds2592]

That would drive me crazy

Can only properly notice it when you crouch down and I've just got used to it. Still a bit annoying as the bumper sat much higher before I took it off, but there's no way it can go any higher as it sits perfectly with the wings.

 

[Boon]

My A3 has the same size of gap. Managed to move the bumper forward a little but no more adjustment

 

[Pops848]

I've got a similar sized gap, I had to fit a new bonnet catch recently so might try playing with that but I think it's fairly standard

 

[SCFC_Messiah]

Thanks guys. Looking through the picture thread there seems to be a lot of 8P2s with a similar sized gap, but then the odd one with no gap at all. I guess I'll just live with it

 

[SCFC_Messiah]

Well guys I've definitely managed to improve it slightly. I spent an hour or so fiddling with the bonnet alignment with no joy.... I then moved on to the bonnet lock mechanism...

What I found is, if you slacken the 3 torx screws holding the bonnet mechanism in place you get a little bit of play - only a few mm worth, but it's enough. My mechanism was tightened at the height of its play. If I dropped it and tightened it at the bottom of its play, I found the bonnet wasn't catching the mechanism when I tried closing it, so that was no good. In the end I had to find a happy medium somewhere in between. Anyway, dropping the mechanism even a few mm's definitely improved the appearance of the shut line. I guess if the mechanism is sitting too high, it holds the bonnet up slightly which enlarges the gap.

There's also 4 rubber plug type adjusters screwed into the underneath of the bonnet - these determine the height the bonnet sits. If your bonnet is flush with the wings then you want to leave the two outer rubber adjusters alone, but the two centre adjusters on the front of the bonnet can be screwed all the way in. If you don't do this, but still drop your mechanism, you may find they prevent the bonnet from catching the mechanism at its new height. We're talking mm's here but it does make a difference


I'm not sure if these pictures convey the difference, but looking at it in the flesh there's a definite improvement. It only takes 10 minutes so well worth giving a go!

(In the bottom two pics you can see that the over hang of the grille has been reduced)


http://imageshack.us/a/img836/3702/46532229.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img839/6752/48658366.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img96/3251/90384954.jpg

 

[Sandra]

Nice work. It sure looks a big improvement to me. If your pleased with it that is all that matters. x

 

[granty578]

Its a big improvement,

Tbh with you I've always wondered about mine and why it was like that but after examining many Audi's not just specific to A3's I soon realised it is how they seem to be.

Actually, if you look around the whole car there's bits that don't line up right...like the rub strips down the side of the car

 

[SAiLO]

Well done, great work!
Will attempt this on my bonnet now.

 

[wilkins]

Thank you for this thread! I recently got my A3 back from the bodyshop and noticed the gaps where yours were (except mine occurred after a repair from a front-end accident). I adjusted the bonnet mech this evening and it looks a lot better, although not as perfect as yours. Still got a bigger gap on the right hand side in comparison to the left, but it's going back to the garage next week as they've chipped the passenger door. Reckon it's the bumper that needs adjusting.

But thanks for posting how you fixed it!