We are hoping that everyone is enjoying their kits as they arrive.

For those of you who are noticing the hood line altering after the install, we realize that every vehicle is slightly different and we would like you to review the next steps to verify and correct this issue. We have two test vehicles and many customers without any issues, but it only takes one slight variation from Ford to cause an issue in this area.

After installing the kit per the installation manual, close the hood. For the following steps, use the driver's side of the vehicle for all testing as it is easier to change the fender ball-stud.

1. Push firmly down on the edge of the hood, starting near the headlight, working your way up toward the hood hinge or cowl. If everything is clear and there isn't a clearance issue, the hood will flex (or move downward) a very small amount along the crack as you push downward.

If you are able to feel the hood flexing (or moving slightly downward when compared to the adjacent fender), there isn't any clearance issue with either the strut or the studs. This is likely not the case if you are seeing the hood slightly above its natural closed position.

However, if you feel a firm or solid point or area while pushing downward, move on to step 2.

2. Open up the hood again. Look closely at the bottom of the black gas-strut housing for a scratch or indentation at or near the locations where the fender bolts are located. You might have to have someone lower the hood slowly to see these areas.

If you can see an area where the gas-strut housing might be contacting a fender bolt, verify that this is the problem by temporarily removing the two or three fender bolts and then closing the hood again. With the hood closed and the possible offending fender bolts removed, your hood line should be restored and the hood should flex while pushing downward along the hood line as described in step 1.

To permanently correct the issue, you can use either or both of the following two solutions:

A. Raise the installed fender bolt with washer(s) - to do this add washers under the fender ball stud or on top of the fender. This will increase the height of the strut housing and raise it slightly above the fender bolts.

B. File the top ridge off of the fender bolt that is causing the clearance issue. The fender bolts are large, filing down this outer ridge on top of these bolts will not affect the bolt, but will give you extra clearance.

Note: Though we have not seen this issue first hand on our test vehicles, these simple steps can help to make the installation a perfect fit for your vehicle. Feel free to email us with questions.

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