Home News Models Alternatives
 
Smart Car of America - America's Largest Smart Fortwo Enthusiast Community   Smart Fortwo, smart car, smartcar
HOME FORUMS GALLERY

Go Back   Smart Car of America Forums > Smart Car Technical > Smart Car Operation and Maintenance

Notices

» Supporting Partner
» Recent Threads
Movie Game!
1,128 Replies
Music Game
5,923 Replies
Reply
 
LinkBack (2) Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-15-2008, 05:29 PM   #21 (permalink)
smart happens here!
SCOA Club
 
SmartCard's Avatar
 
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Drive: Red/Bk Cabrio, '04 JCW MCS
My SCOA Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwight View Post
JPaul, already started in the delivery subforum:

Pre-delivery checklist

I'll add this one also.
good things to look for when I pick the car up on Saturday. I guess with the cabrio, I won't have to worry about this upper hatch misalignment. (I'll just have to worry about the cabrio's top closure instead!)

SmartCard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2008, 05:47 PM   #22 (permalink)
Mod./Adm.
SCOA Club
 
JPaul's Avatar
 
Location: Washington, DC
Drive: w/s/r '08 passion
My SCOA Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by bradgarbus View Post
[...] Anyone speak French and have the number to the assembly plant? (good luck)
I do, I do... I'm in touch and I'll ask...

JPaul is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2008, 06:34 PM   #23 (permalink)
 
Location: menlo park, CA
oui

Quote:
Originally Posted by bradgarbus View Post
I would guess this is a result of robotic assembly. Someone needs to make an adjustment to this bot. Anyone speak French and have the number to the assembly plant? (good luck)
yes, and yes

tivoboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2008, 07:53 PM   #24 (permalink)
Matt J.
SCOA Club
 
Location: Atlanta - Candler Park
Drive: smart, Z4, Exploder
My SCOA Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmmeat View Post
Geez.

I've seen this on a number of Smarts when they were taken off the truck at the dealership. It's not damage, it's assembly. It should certainly be checked at the dealership and fixed ... but to automatically assume damage ..? C'mon!

Your pal,
Meat.
Time to cut the wine rations at the plant...

msjohnson1974 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2008, 05:53 AM   #25 (permalink)
 
even upper tailgate worth fixing?

So if my car arrives with the uneven upper tailgate problem, what should I do? Leave it as is (assuming everything functions well with no rubbing), or have it adjusted? I wouldn't want to create another problem by having it adjusted. Or have damage done during a fix. Thoughts?
Just how common is this, and how many have had it fixed?

smartier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2008, 03:45 PM   #26 (permalink)
 
16d @ 4's Avatar
 
Location: Frisco Bay
Drive: Blue/Black Passion
I tried adjusting the tail gate spoiler, but the bolt holes are not slotted, so unless I remove the spoiler completely and slot out the mounting holes, I won't be able to align the spoiler with the roof.

However, after playing with the alignment of the spoiler, it is not too bad now. Still, I might remove the spoiler to enlarge the holes.

16d @ 4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2008, 04:06 PM   #27 (permalink)
 
Location: Northern California
Quote:
Originally Posted by smartier View Post
So if my car arrives with the uneven upper tailgate problem, what should I do? Leave it as is (assuming everything functions well with no rubbing), or have it adjusted? I wouldn't want to create another problem by having it adjusted. Or have damage done during a fix. Thoughts?
Just how common is this, and how many have had it fixed?
I toyed with the idea of doing the adjustment myself, but opted to take it to the dealer. Made an appointment and the tech completed the spoiler and glass re-alignment in about 20 minutes, or so. A pain-free dealer visit...

EdwardDennis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2008, 07:56 AM   #28 (permalink)
 
Looking for more opinions, please.

Thanks for your input. Anyone else have any advice?

smartier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2008, 08:07 AM   #29 (permalink)
 
bull8042's Avatar
 
Location: Indian Land, SC
Quote:
Originally Posted by smartier View Post
Thanks for your input. Anyone else have any advice?
I realized I had the same issue after reading this post. It is a very simple fix, requiring only an 8mm wrench (incorrect tool, but it fits fine) to loosen the two bolts in the bracket going into the glass mount. With the gate open, loosen, slide the glass toward the front of the car and snug the bolts. Close and compare the gap across the bottom. Rinse and repeat. When everything is even, tighten the bolts snugly without wringing them off.
As for the "spoiler", I adjusted mine at the same time. The holes in mine seemed to be slotted, at least enough to get everything to line up correctly.
Just have a little patience and don't assume a single "loosen, move, tighten" sequence will put everything in the proper alignment.

bull8042 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2008, 10:32 AM   #30 (permalink)
Senior Smartie
SCOA Club
 
jonnysan's Avatar
 
Location: Albany, NY
Drive: S-2000, Acura TL, smart42
You got it, Bull!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bull8042 View Post
I realized I had the same issue after reading this post. It is a very simple fix, requiring only an 8mm wrench (incorrect tool, but it fits fine) to loosen the two bolts in the bracket going into the glass mount. With the gate open, loosen, slide the glass toward the front of the car and snug the bolts. Close and compare the gap across the bottom. Rinse and repeat. When everything is even, tighten the bolts snugly without wringing them off.
As for the "spoiler", I adjusted mine at the same time. The holes in mine seemed to be slotted, at least enough to get everything to line up correctly.
Just have a little patience and don't assume a single "loosen, move, tighten" sequence will put everything in the proper alignment.
I've found and done the same thing as you...the hinges ARE slotted allowing adjustments to made easily.

jonnysan is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Today


This ad will not be shown if you are logged in.

Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f25/uneven-upper-tailgate-5517/
Posted By For Type Date
Advice On Picking Up My New Smart ? - smart USA insider This thread Refback 08-14-2008 05:11 AM
Advice On Picking Up My New Smart ? - smart USA insider This thread Refback 06-24-2008 08:13 PM

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cabrio tailgate lock failure Hal2 Smart Car Operation and Maintenance 14 04-20-2008 09:15 PM
Tailgate smarty42 Smart Car Operation and Maintenance 8 02-23-2008 10:56 AM
Tailgate? Wile E. Coyote Smart Car General Discussion 20 10-30-2007 02:15 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.0.1

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:15 AM.


Smart Cars of America, LLC is not affiliated with, authorized by, associated with or have any connection with G&K, Zap, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Mercedes-Benz McLaren Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, smart Canada Division, DaimlerChrysler, Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler AG, Maybach, smart gmbh, a division of Mercedes Benz LLC, the manufacturer of SMART automobiles, smart USA Distributor, LLC, a division of Penske Automotive Group, Inc, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of the smart vehicle or any of their official dealerships


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2
Ad Management by RedTyger