Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club | Vauxhall Cavalier Dot Com

Afternoon everyone,

I'm after some techniques and ideas on the best way to make sure I align the two front panels of the cavalier properly, namely the slam panel and the strip panel that runs underneath the grille and headlamps.

The car previously had the slam panel changed due to corrosion but the person who fitted it done so in such a way that the headlamps would touch the bonnet corners when the bonnet was shut.

Due to a front end bump the slam panel is being changed again to a genuine item, as is the below strip, but I want to make sure it's straight as a die so the whole front end looks spot on and not like it's face is pissed off!

Many Thanks

Measure, and measure again. Get yourself some clamps too, they will help alot.

I have the book figures somewhere for the measurements somwhere, but do not cut out the old slam panel until you have it as straight as you can get it. Otherwise you're going to have a nightmare on your hands trying to get it to line back up. If you know somewhere that can jig it, look into that first.

Thanks for the reply Envoy CDX,

The old slam panel wasn't really a good reference point as that wasn't straight, either way it was quite mangled and so was removed to help tidy things up in preparation for new panels.

If you could get me those measurements that would be awesome. I was thinking to take it to a body shop and get them to fit it, but that's only if I'm having major trouble.

Thanks again

Nova_Tek wrote:Thanks for the reply Envoy CDX,

The old slam panel wasn't really a good reference point as that wasn't straight, either way it was quite mangled and so was removed to help tidy things up in preparation for new panels.

If you could get me those measurements that would be awesome. I was thinking to take it to a body shop and get them to fit it, but that's only if I'm having major trouble.

Thanks again

You need to clamp it in place and then fit things like hlights, grill etc. to see how it all fits with bonnet and wings. Agree, measure, measure and measure again before being sure.

Thanks cavalier1990,

That may be the best way forward. Lets hope the weekend has good weather