Just got my 2002 S281 back a few weeks ago from the body shop, they were replacing the front bumper. I was washing it today and noticed that the bumper is not cut right where the headlights pop in. There is a gap on the driver side between the bumper/headlight that was never there on the old bumper and isnt there on the passanger side. This cant be normal can it? I checked out some other saleen's on ebay just to compare, and none of them have a big gap like this. I'm to OCD about my car and love it too much that this really bothers me. Think Saleen will replace it under warranty and pay for it to be repainted/installed again? Any suggestions on what to do? Here are the pics:
Here is the passanger side, where you can see that the headlight is perfectly flush with the bumper:
< Message edited by spederman -- 4/14/2008 8:15:23 PM >
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2002 4.6L 5 spd. S281 Intercooled Vortech S trim and all the avg bolt ons Dyno #'s w/3.2 pulley@8psi: 405 rwhp/400 rwtq
Looks as though the shop may have the bumper shifter slightly to one side.
Then again, it could be as simple as moving the headlight brackets slightly to create and even gap around the light/bumper area. Normally, you should have a slight clearance on both sides of lights so they don't rub the paint off.
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2007 Black SC281 #1113 HIDS 3.73 Maxgrip Chrome rim upgrade
Saleen is using a different supplier for the front/rear bumper covers, side skirts and wings now. Looks normal to me but I understand your concerns. You can see the material hanging off that area of your concern so it's obvious your body shop didn't knick it accidentaly. I would see if Saleen would send you out a new bumper. They will blame our bodyshop for not catching it though. Worth the good fight though. Moving your headlamp over like someone said is visual bandaid that may help.
Also, fyi, have your bodyshop paint the inside edge of your new bumper cover black ( past the line under your radiator ). That's a common mistake or "overlook' by a bodyshop that does not paint a lot of Saleens. No biggie and good luck.
Looks to me like your hood isn't fitting straight, though that's in addition to the center section of the bumper being positioned outwards about 2 more inches than it needs to be.
In other words, it ain't Saleen's quality problem -- it's perhaps the body shop's.
Your paint looks so aweome who is even going to notice the issue? The car looks great, congrats.
I have never fiddled with the bumper on a car like yours, but I have had good luck making these kind of adjustments on other cars. Between adjusting of the headlight position and the bumper cover, you could well be able to close up the gap without the need for a new cover. Good luck and let us know the outcome.
I hate taking my car to shops, so i might try re adjusting the bumper myself if everybody thinks there is playing room with install of the bumper. Anybody know how to take off the bumper? Where all is it attached and held on by screws? Thanks for the compliments guys.
< Message edited by spederman -- 4/15/2008 7:44:03 AM >
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2002 4.6L 5 spd. S281 Intercooled Vortech S trim and all the avg bolt ons Dyno #'s w/3.2 pulley@8psi: 405 rwhp/400 rwtq
ORIGINAL: Jim D. Looks to me like your hood isn't fitting straight, though that's in addition to the center section of the bumper being positioned outwards about 2 more inches than it needs to be. In other words, it ain't Saleen's quality problem -- it's perhaps the body shop's. Fit the bumper right and your gap will disappear.
I took a close look at some photos I have of eviligloo's front bumper and although I agree that spederman's bumper is probably not fitted correctly, it's probably not a full two inches out. The front pillars are supposed to be a bit forward of the leading edge of the hood; that surprised me. I do think that the bumper probably needs to be refitted/adjusted, it may be too much for tweaks on the headlights to cover up.
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Joined: 3/31/2005 From: Indianapolis, IN Status: offline
I'd say its a combo of the bumper and headlight buckets not fitted properly. They probably put everthing on in steps and tightly, rather than fitting everything loosely, making final adjustments and then tighting the nuts
I would bring it back to them and have them fix it or return the bumper, also i would have them paint it correctly as Marcus said, on the center of the bottom of the bumper, there is a line that should be Flat black, from the line back.
talked to the body shop this past weekend. I guess they knew about it before i got my car back, but must have hoped i didnt notice or didnt care it was like that. I think they're going to order a new one and have it replaced. I'll find out this week.
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2002 4.6L 5 spd. S281 Intercooled Vortech S trim and all the avg bolt ons Dyno #'s w/3.2 pulley@8psi: 405 rwhp/400 rwtq
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Saleen quality control - 
RE: Saleen quality control - 
The car looks great, congrats. 
or didnt care it was like that. I think they're going to order a new one and have it replaced. I'll find out this week.
