Any bodywork experts?

[adam.mt]

While since last posting........

well I had a minor shunt a few weeks ago by going into the back of someone, thereby damaging the front of my Leon Cupra.

Garage has fixed the damage (new bonnet, front bumper and grille); was paid for by my insurance company (thank goodness for protected no-claims!).

Recently given the car it's first wash since the fix and noticed that the bonnet appears to be sticking out a little, and isn't flush. I think it was sort of like this before, but not as bad.

Well it's beginning to bug me, is this within 'norms', have they just not refitted the bonnet properly, or could it be more serious misalignment?

What do you think? Should I demand they do something about it?

(problem is they aren't located nearby, so it's a bit of a hassle)

Pictures:

 

[RikH]

thats defintely out
i remember replacing the bonnet on an old car i had, not sure if leon is same but if you get a spare few pairs of hands you can sometimes position the bonnet by undoing the bolts that hold it onto the arms and giving it minor MINOR adjustments

worth a look

 

[storeyd]

Sounds like the hinges on the bonnet have been deformed in the crash. Meaning that a new bonnet would not fi correctly. Unless there is some form of adjustment??? i would take it back to the garage. Tell them that you are selling the car soon and this would be obvious to a potential buyer. Its not good enough.
On my last car i went back 6 times until I was satisfied with a near perfect repair that I was sure a buyer would not notice.
If they try to palm you off then call your insurance company and tell them the situation. Its their responisbility to make sure the car is repaired to original standards.

Good Luck

 

[iannez]

check the front edge of the bonnet against the front edge of the wings. if it is flush top and front the bonnet is fitted ok and its the front panel thats out. alignment starts at q- panels as they have no adjustment then doors then wings then bonnet then front panel.

 

[adam.mt]

Thanks for feedback.

iannez - not quite sure what you mean. Front edge of bonnet is level with front edge of wings, I think. Height wise is also level.

Front panel - is that the grille and bumper? Does that need fitting further forward then? Is that what's wrong?

 

[Deleted member 7729]

I've seen 4 or 5 leons with this. I spoke to Kings Seat and Snows Body repair and they say they've seen quite a few like it as well.

Is it the case of Seat QA again.... In other words a pill of poo

 

[iannez]

if bonnet matches wings the bonnet is ok so dont adjust the bonnet. the front panel is what holds headlights grill etc and is quite a big job to adjust. your best bet is to take it back where it was repaired.

 

[Probs]

How do, sorry to bring this one back from the dead but could the OP perhaps post the original pics ? I think I have the same problem and was wanting to know if it could/how it could be sorted. Like you say its just a silly fault but very annoying.

 

[DannyC87]

the OP was last active on the 08-10-06..i doubt he'll be back.. post some pics of your bonnet and we can see if it is like the rest of ours?

 

[adam.mt]

Found I was still subscribed to this thread, doh!

Sorry can't repost the pics since I've long since changed the car and deleted the pics.

I did return to the garage and they fiddled with the bonnet mounting and improved it a bit; apparently there is some adjustment possible. However, they didn't get it perfect, but since I wasn't sure it was ever so (unlike the 1.6 Leon I had before) I didn't pursue it further. Fortunately, it wasn't noticed when I sold the car on.

I do remember for a while checking other Leons when I was out and about though!

Thus, the bonnet can be adjusted but if that doesn't fix it then it'll be a HUGE job to rectify and I seriously doubt it's worth it.

 

[Probs]

Just waiting for the camera battery to charge and I'll take some pics. Thanks for getting back to me guys ! It's really frigging annoying looking at it out of wack !

 

[Probs]

As promised. It's quite a large image on purpose but look around the top of the badge ... Whilst on the near side the gap doesn't look that bad the gap on the other side is much more pronounced.