Is wide GAP normal ? front side panel & front bumper

[kmckmc]

Hi,

Let's talk about WIDE GAP.

Upon close inspection, I find the front side panel (the panel where the front side indicator is located) does not fit well to the Elan's main body.

Also, the front bumper and main front body.

Please refer to the picutures below.




Do you see at the right end, the Gap is wide, at the left end, the GAP is narrow. Is this part of the figerglass charm? What can I do? My auto body shop guy told me he installed the panel properly.

Who has a spare RHS front panel around for sale? Perhaps a different one would solve this misfit! ???

Should I be concerned about the front bumper's placement?

Cheers,

[Michael]

I do not know if it is 'normal' but mine's got it as well.
Not to bother.

[Rambo]

I do not know if it is 'normal' but mine's got it as well.
Not to bother.

Me too. Just another of Lotus' foibles/idiosyncrasies. It fits fine against the door and wing panels so don't lose any sleep. Just make sure that your door doesn't catch the panel when opening - another common Elan problem

Interesting colour though kmckmc - is it primrose yellow or a base coat for NMY ?

Mark

[kmckmc]

Please comment on the front bumper GAP. Any one out there has that Wide GAP?

[Monty]

Nope thats not right, should be no gap. U`ll have to look under and see if the clamps etc are ok. The body panels will be in the service manual.

[Rambo]

Re. your new photo of the bumper (blue panels) - it's not right - agree with Monty

[kmckmc]

Thanks.

With respect to the bumper, I'll verify with the auto body shop respray guy. If this is an issue with bent/distorted clamps, then straightening of the clamps ought to do the trick, right? Am I in the right direction?

Cheers,

[Monty]

Thanks.

With respect to the bumper, I'll verify with the auto body shop respray guy. If this is an issue with bent/distorted clamps, then straightening of the clamps ought to do the trick, right? Am I in the right direction?

Cheers,

I`ve never taken the front bumper/spoiler off, best thing to do is to look at the manual (which u can download) it`ll show the mounting points print it off and take it to the bodyshop.

[Fubar1764]

There are some adjustments that can be done to the bumper to make the gap uniform. However, the panel fit was never that great from the factory. Getting a new bumper won't help. Your body man should be able to do some adjustments to it, but the process will be long and painful as my body man discovered. Take a copy of the body manual to him so he can be prepared.
Best of luck!

[muley]

According to the manual the gap between the clam and bumper should be 5mm.

It can be adjusted by slackening off the bolts and jiggling it around. There are adjustable brackets at each end to help keep the gap correct. You will have to take the wheelarch liners out to gain access. Note : the liner bolts were rusted solid in my car and had to be ground out.

Good luck

Jim