Front bumper alignment

[Todd]

Mine goes in tomorrow. This is very helpful.

Great to hear that moosem!

 

[moosem]

They're probably going to hate my guts! In addition to the two recalls, I also compiled a list of seven issues that I want addressed and/or updated. I will see how it goes.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Mine was the actual bumper. The hood and grill gaps all matched side to side passenger side had roughly a 1/4" larger gap between the filler panel and top of the bumper. I had to replace the front bumper anyways so while I had it off I figured out how it was built I made a slight modification and was able to adjust the passenger side to match the drivers, there is actually quite a bit of adjustment in the bolts, the problem is the locating pins. I just cut the passenger side locating pin off and knocked the keepers off of the bolts.

 

[Todd]

Mine was the actual bumper. The hood and grill gaps all matched side to side passenger side had roughly a 1/4" larger gap between the filler panel and top of the bumper. I had to replace the front bumper anyways so while I had it off I figured out how it was built I made a slight modification and was able to adjust the passenger side to match the drivers, there is actually quite a bit of adjustment in the bolts, the problem is the locating pins. I just cut the passenger side locating pin off and knocked the keepers off of the bolts.

Thanks Billet1500 4×4!

 

[moosem]

Mine was the actual bumper. The hood and grill gaps all matched side to side passenger side had roughly a 1/4" larger gap between the filler panel and top of the bumper. I had to replace the front bumper anyways so while I had it off I figured out how it was built I made a slight modification and was able to adjust the passenger side to match the drivers, there is actually quite a bit of adjustment in the bolts, the problem is the locating pins. I just cut the passenger side locating pin off and knocked the keepers off of the bolts.

So, the locating pins locate the bumper in the wrong location?! Nice.

 

[Billy James]

Well, I sort of got it worked out. I adjusted the driver's side of the grill upward; which evened the hood gap and lessened the difference in the fascia panels. You now have to look really close to see the difference. The hood gap is now perfect (like it should have been from the factory); the fascia gaps from left to right are still not perfect. However, I can now look at the front of my truck without having and OCD attack. It actually took a bit of tweaking with the grill bolts and the hood stops to get everything right. The "beaver cheeks" or fascia panels are not adjustable; so I don't know how the body shop is going to do that....they snap into the grill and fender. In addition, I didn't see a way of adjusting the grill out unless you were to shim it. The gaps in my headlight trim are even now as well. I still can't get the fascia panels exact in comparison to each other; but the difference is less than 1/8" inch now where before it was over 1/2" difference. After taking measurements of the panels, I swear that there is a manufacturing error in the fascia panels and they are not the exact same size. Here is a picture of the main grill bolt so you can see how far I actually had to move it up (notice the wear from initial installation):
View attachment 18929

Here is the "after" picture. For reference, mine looked very similar to the photo posted at the beginning of this thread. I did adjust the hood stops after this picture was taken to get the corner of the hood and the fender tips to line up perfectly.
View attachment 18930

After doing the adjustment of the grill; my front fascias were still not perfectly spaced. As I stated before, there is no individual adjustment for the fascia panels. So, every time I park my truck; I stop and look at the front end. I have been noticing that sometimes the fascia gaps look even and sometimes they don't. I started to think that maybe the front bumper (or the body) moves with the suspension and the fascia gaps look even depending upon the "flex" that was occurring when the truck was parked. Today, I watched the video on the "BlackWidowRam" thread and it sure does look like either the bumper or the body does move and cause the fascia gaps to increase and decrease. This makes me feel a little better about it. Any thoughts? I'd like to know if anyone else believes the is the case after watching the "BlackWidowRam" video.

 

[hotsht333]

My big horn was the same way, it's not the bumper it's the grille and fascias . It took 3 dealerships and 7 different customer service people from FCA and 3 mths of running around and hrs of phone time but it finally got fixed. Don't take that's as good as it gets for an answer

 

[Todd]

My big horn was the same way, it's not the bumper it's the grille and fascias . It took 3 dealerships and 7 different customer service people from FCA and 3 mths of running around and hrs of phone time but it finally got fixed. Don't take that's as good as it gets for an answer

So FCA is aware of some of these customer defect issues pertaining to the front end of the 2019 Ram?

 

[Todd]

Just watched the Black widow video, and it's apparent something does move to the front end or suspension causing increase and decrease in the area as noted this thread. I found this interesting. Still want it fixed so when parked it looks pretty perfect, considering how much these trucks cost.

 

[hotsht333]

So FCA is aware of some of these customer defect issues pertaining to the front end of the 2019 Ram?

Yes they are I made sure of it lol

 

[Billy James]

My big horn was the same way, it's not the bumper it's the grille and fascias . It took 3 dealerships and 7 different customer service people from FCA and 3 mths of running around and hrs of phone time but it finally got fixed. Don't take that's as good as it gets for an answer

It appears that you still have a larger vertical gap from the bumper to the fascia on the passenger side as compared to the driver's side. It is a small difference; but noticeable if you really look closely. The result you got from the dealer is the same result that I got by adjusting the left side of my grill upwards. When you tear the front end apart; the only adjustment (that I could find) was to loosen the grill bolts and move the grill up (or down) as required. I am satisfied with the result I got; but I still believe there is somewhat of a design flaw. I do agree that it is not the bumper....adjusting the grill up and down as required should solve the problem for most; if not all.

 

[RamCares]

Update.....

Contacted my dealership this afternoon with this issue. Their willing to do anything that they can to resolve this matter. Even if they need to contact FCA to make them aware of this. So I'm booked for Monday of next week to begin the process of repairs. Their response was they'd heard about this issue but haven't had a chance to actually see one. They also told me if repairs were preformed, it would be considered warranty work!

So if there's other members on here..... Check out your front end bumper headlight area, as the OP noted.

I'll update, once I visit my dealership.
Here's mine

They're probably going to hate my guts! In addition to the two recalls, I also compiled a list of seven issues that I want addressed and/or updated. I will see how it goes.

Hi Todd and moosem,
We regret to hear that you are both experiencing this. Please send our team a private message if you would like some additional assistance while your trucks are at the dealership!
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Todd]

Hi Todd and moosem,
We regret to hear that you are both experiencing this. Please send our team a private message if you would like some additional assistance while your trucks are at the dealership!
Alexth
Ram Social Care Specialist

Hi Todd and moosem,
We regret to hear that you are both experiencing this. Please send our team a private message if you would like some additional assistance while your trucks are at the dealership!
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

Thank you so much for your response! I'm so glad to hear from you and I hope my dealerships understands the process of making this issue right by the repairs needed. They apparently haven't seen any of this type of issues according to the gentleman that I spoke to.
Thanks Alex for responding to this thread! I'll definitely be in touch or my dealership will be in touch, if they're in question as to how to repair this appearance on this awesome and amazing truck model!

 

[moosem]

Hi Todd and moosem,
We regret to hear that you are both experiencing this. Please send our team a private message if you would like some additional assistance while your trucks are at the dealership!
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

The dealer told me that they would need to send my truck out to have the front bumper misalignment and the rear door gap looked at since they do not have a body shop. However, they also said that they do not see anything wrong with it. I have to bring it back because they had to order a new side view mirror, which they do not have in stock. I don’t know, but to me it looks pretty obvious.

 

[Todd]

Update.....
Dealership has my truck scheduled for repairs on the 16th of April, under warranty work. Their response to my issue has them checking other trucks out, and were very courteous to assist me with this matter. Thanks to this forum, and this thread!

 

[moosem]

Update.....
Dealership has my truck scheduled for repairs on the 16th of April, under warranty work. Their response to my issue has them checking other trucks out, and were very courteous to assist me with this matter. Thanks to this forum, and this thread!

Awesome! So, I spoke to the service manager at my dealership, and initially he said it looked correct, but after pointing out to him exactly what I was talking about, he agreed that it is crooked and said he would have it taken care of by an outside body shop. I have to bring it back in to have the side view mirror replaced (backorder), he will take it at that time.

 

[Todd]

Awesome! So, I spoke to the service manager at my dealership, and initially he said it looked correct, but after pointing out to him exactly what I was talking about, he agreed that it is crooked and said he would have it taken care of by an outside body shop. I have to bring it back in to have the side view mirror replaced (backorder), he will take it at that time.

Great to hear moosem!

 

[Baldtires]

My dealer installed all new brackets, beam and chrome bumper and fixed front to back alignment but still sits off to the passenger side about 1/4 inch. Service manager took pictures to send to FCA. They don't want to remove locating pins, wants to fix it "right". Looks like it's going to the body shop

 

[Todd]

My dealer installed all new brackets, beam and chrome bumper and fixed front to back alignment but still sits off to the passenger side about 1/4 inch. Service manager took pictures to send to FCA. They don't want to remove locating pins, wants to fix it "right". Looks like it's going to the body shop

My dealership is taking mine, to a body shop as well.

 

[Baldtires]

Well I got my truck back from the dealership. They had a traveling master tech from FCA take a look at it since this was the 3rd try at getting it right. He inspected the truck, took several measurements and deemed it 4mm off left to right "well within spec" . What a bunch of BS. I guess I'll just have to live with it. At least its a lot closer than it was