How’s it going TGO? I have a little issue that has been like this since owning this car. Everything from panels, body and etc is completely factory. 70,000 mile original miles and 1 owner when I bought the car. Now approaching 80,000 and loving the hell out of it and taking care of all maintenance on her. The issue i’m having is this eye pocket, now it has been like this when I got it and I kind of see what possibly needs to be done but I wanted a opinion by y’all.


Driver side, gap underneath headlight.

Driver side, gap underneath headlight

Passenger side, no gaps.

Gap, driver side.

Plastic piece, I assume ticks under the eye pocket to raise it up to meet the bottom of the headlight.

The driver side headlight has this gap that kind of drives me nuts when I see other third gens that don’t have it and they have there’s flush. I’m assuming that little piece that I have by my finger is supposed to go underneath that eye pocket and raise it to meet the bottom of the headlight? On the passenger side, it’s perfect. And it’s flat and flush, and I can feel that same piece underneath it. Now, I possibly could be answering my own question on what I’m gonna have to do, but I was just wanting your opinions.

 

Maybe it got boinked in the parking lot or the bumper cover is warped or mis-shapen and missed inspection on the line.
If you get underneath and look further to see if it can be adjusted.

 

You're missing some pieces. Unless you took it apart, I'd venture an educated guess that someone else did. People don't generally disassemble that which is not in need of disassembly. The most likely explanation is that someone cut corners during a repair.

Just based on what is visible in the photos, someone had it apart and didn't reassemble it correctly. The headlight bar is supposed to be anchored to the bumper cover under both sides headlights with a screw. I'd expect the parts aren't aligned right, or the hardware is missing or assembled incorrectly.

 

That little tab is suppose to point towards the engine, laying flat.Theres one for the other headlight i think, should match it.looks like its bend the other way.Maybe thats whats holding the lamp higher or its adjusted wrong and pointing too high.Or the bucket is installed incorrectly, either way should remove the lamp to secure that tab.

 

You’re right 84 1LE, it is supposed to go towards the engine... I was thinking maybe the eye pocket goes on top of it and that tab held it up, if that makes since. I’ll have to find time in the future to see what exactly is going on and take the nose and headlight bucket out. I found this out reading this thread and getting an idea of how it’s supposed to look...

E36 Headlight Swap

My guess is the original owner either took it upon himself or took it to someone to replace the high beam and they didn’t have a clue how to get to the bottom screws or whatever. Another guess is when they auctioned this car off and had it detailed completely inside and out, they didn’t put things back correctly.

Other than this and the passenger side fender being bowed out because someone jacked it up incorrectly are my only quirks.

Here are just some of the pictures I have when I first got it.

You can really see it, but that gap has been there whenever I first got her.

Same thing.

If you zoom in right on the driver side, you can see that gap.

I’m guessing when they cleaned up the engine bay, they may have dissembled some of it and not put it back 100%.

 

Not sure how it didnt break off, folded back like that.With the lamp pushing down on the tab, thats probably whats causing the gap.You can see the bend in the middle.

 

I’m assuming this should have that pesky screw in this kit at Hawks?

Front Bumper Hardware Kit

Otherwise, in my city, there is absolutely no way in hell any third gen is going to be in a salvage yard here so I wouldn’t have a clue where else to look for some hardware....

Again, I do appreciate the replies and some insight.

 

Bottom right screws look close to, but look a little too long.The dash panels use some that are shorter.