mikeyc6

I was wondering if someone could measure the gap between the front of the door and the front fender. Mine measures 1/4 inch on both sides except for the bottom of the passenger door to front fender. On the front/bottom of the passenger door, the gap narrows to 3/16. It's not noticeable really, but the 1/4 inch seems a little large because if you stand back and look at it just slightly rearward of straight on, you can see the internal "hardware" inside like a bolt and some other stuff. I've had the car for over a month and just noticed this today. Seems like that gap should be smaller than 1/4 inch.

Mike

Vette_DD

Just measured mine at your request. On the driver's side, the gap is 1/32 of an inch less than 1/4 in., all the way from the top to the bottom of the front of the door. On the passenger's side, the gap is 3/32 of an inch less than 1/4 in.

However, on both sides, moving to one side or the other, I can only see the curved edge of the door or the curved edge of the fender, not bolts or other hardware.

Buster1

Mikey, mine is just a hair less that 1/4 inch all the way, on both doors. Definately no visible hardware either. Good luck!

ivan111

How much is that in millimetres?

I have heard that in the auto industry the best is around 3 millimetres body gaps!!!!

RGGregory

1 inch is approx. 25.4 mm, so 3mm is about 0.118 inches, which is almost 1/8-inch.

Vette_DD

My measurements were:
Driver's side 1/4 in. - 1/32 in. = 7/32 in. = 5.56 mm
Passenger's side 1/4 in. - 3/32 in. = 5/32 in. = 3.97 mm

mikeyc6

Thanks guys! After measuring again, mine seems to be right at 1/4 inch everywhere except the bottom of the passenger door which is slightly less than 1/4 inch and the bottom half of the drivers door which is slightly more than 1/4 inch. It's the drivers side being a little more than 1/4 inch that is somewhat objectionable because it does allow you to see through the crack at the proper angle. With a little coaxing I think I could get the gap to close 1/32 inch on that side which would make it less noticeable.

I guess it's all in the production tolerances. Mine might be a little larger because I have an early production VIN so they may have closed down the gap just a hint. It's interesting that most of us get less of a gap on the passenger side.

Mike

Vette_DD

Mikeyc6,
What's your VIN no.? Mine's 1499.

mikeyc6

339



Mike

mikeyc6

I just fixed the gap on the driver's side. I loosened the one 7 mm bolt at the bottom which released some stress on the front fender. I then tightened it back while pulling moderately back on the fender and it is now 1/4 inch all the way down instead of 1/4 inch at the top and 1/4 inch + 1/16 inch at the bottom. It looks fine now.

Amazing how pliable and "movable" these body panels are. They're almost like the "disposable" panels they use on NASCAR vehicles; they do the job of helping the aerodynamics but not much more than that... they are pretty much "decorative" in nature.

Mike

docrings1

Cool new MOD: adjusting your fender gaps = more performance!!!! 186.1MPH.

Thanks for posting your "how-to"... I'm sure someone else here will be using your technique and measurements...

I put this thread in the FAQ.

natejohn

338 here..kiss my tush Mikey<G>!

LOL - anyway - measured both sides- 1/4"(-/+) top to bottom l/r.

BTW - just installed the PR door handles and License Plate frame...pics to follow. So far a big YES from those who have seen them. The lp frame makes a hugh difference. They're priced out of sight but after seeing TracyC6's I had to get them and they are "worth it".

mikeyc6

I was hoping you'd post your measurements since I knew you were here and your car is a few minutes older than mine.

One other thing I noticed that might be attributable to the early VINs is that I have a small light spot on the hood exactly in the middle of the back edge where the windshield wipers are. Not on the top part of the hood where it is very noticeable but on the vertical edge that is about 1/8 inch tall. It's like the sprayers didn't quite hit that area. It's not very noticeable from the outside of the car but when I'm driving I can see a light spot there.

Anyone else have this? Mine is DSOM.

Mike

natejohn

None here...but of course I didn't expect there to be with P(erfect)R.
....hehehehehe

nascosta

My hood doesn't fit well, big gap on bottom right where it meets the bumper, smaller gap on the other side. Still pleased with the rest of the fit/finish.