Trunk alignment / trunk chafe resolution

metroplex · February 16, 2017, 06:22:37 PM

I finally took the opportunity to align my trunk. This has been a known issue since the 2010 Taurus/SHO and I've seen the same issue on 2015 models. My trunk on the driver side keeps rubbing against the fender and bumper cover, and there's nothing in the Chilton's online FSM or any forums discussing a resolution other than to have Ford look at it, report it, etc...

Procedure:
Anyhow, all you need is a 3/8" drive ratchet with a 8mm socket and a sharpie marker. Pop open the trunk, lift up on the black plastic ledge that covers the striker. It's held in by a bunch of those metal clips that grip slots in the sheet metal. Just lift up and it should come right out.

Use a sharpie marker (fine tip preferably) and mark the existing location of the striker. Because my driver side was rubbing, I moved the striker towards the passenger side. I loosened the bolts enough to slide the striker, snugged it to check clearance, and repeated until I liked the clearance. Torque the bolts to 12 N-m.
The FSM covers the removal of the trunk, the trunk latch, etc... but not the black plastic ledge or the striker for some reason.

Now when the trunk closes, it drops straight then instead of angles/slides towards the side that rubbed. It wasn't a hinge issue or fender issue. That said, my passenger side clearance between the tail light/bumper cover and trunk is a tad tighter than on the driver side - but everything else clears fine. I suppose this may be a structural misalignment or something. My hood is totally out of whack and it looks like the fender sheet metal wasn't installed correctly as one side of the hinge sticks up more than the other. I don't mind that or the huge gap towards the front because the paint isn't rubbed down to the primer/bare metal like it was on the trunk.

I hope this helps.

SHOdded · February 16, 2017, 06:52:23 PM

This has been an annoyance on many MYs of the SHO, dont know if the MKS is afflicted. Guys, please chime in and let us know if you see this issue with your ride, and how this fix works out 4 you. TIA!

markssho · February 16, 2017, 09:50:46 PM

My 2010 is the same. I even had a body shop guy tell me, upon first glance, that it had lots of body work. When he looked closer, he was surprised it left the factory with the front fenders, hood, and trunk misaligned.
Doesn't bother me, other than the slight marking on the bumper cover.

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metroplex · February 16, 2017, 09:55:43 PM

I found out I probably have to lower the striker a bit so the rubber stops can actually squish down. The Taurus has some of the worst fitting body panels and it wasnt just an isolated incident.

ZSHO · February 16, 2017, 10:33:09 PM

I must admit the rear end and side view look pretty darn good and straight.
But over the past couple of years noticed the front hood being out of whack and could be related to the all-terrain roads of N.Y. combined with a 4400 pound beast but heck couldn't be happier.
I actually have an appt next week and see if they can make some adjustments and will certainly keep you updated as usual. Z.

13TTPI · February 18, 2017, 01:29:25 AM

Chiming in, my old car as well as the new to me both had/have alignment issues on the rear trunk lid. With the SHO taillights, the variance makes the left taillights misaligned. I experimented with attempting to adjust this by loosening the hinge bolts to the body, but there was no movement. I loosened and adjusted the outer TL, and this helped a bit. Will look at adjusting the striker next, Thanks!

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metroplex · February 18, 2017, 07:39:26 AM

The striker bolts are torqued to 12 N-m.

Is the top surface of the trunk supposed to be flush with the fenders?

ZSHO · February 18, 2017, 08:21:11 AM

Quote from: metroplex on February 18, 2017, 07:39:26 AM
The striker bolts are torqued to 12 N-m.

Is the top surface of the trunk supposed to be flush with the fenders?

Due post some pics of the questions in mind,thanks. Z

StealBlueSho · February 18, 2017, 09:18:52 AM

This is a very informative thread... I was unaware of the QC issues with the assembly of our cars...

Honestly.. my car kinda stumped me... paint looks OEM but the gaps around the front between panels are bit off side to side....

Clean carfax (for what that's worth) and no other signs of a accident...

All makes sense now...

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ZSHO · February 18, 2017, 10:28:45 AM

Its definitely nothing new as this has been a progressing issue with the 10-15 SHO for quite sometime now. Z
http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,951.0.html

BlueSHO · February 18, 2017, 10:53:54 AM

Remember this Z?

Here's my 16.

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metroplex · February 18, 2017, 03:39:50 PM

ZSHO is right. The body gaps/alignment has been terrible on the Taurus, apparently since 2009. I've seen 2010-up SHOs in our company parking lot with a lot of the same problems. My 2014 SHO was factory ordered and arrived off the transporter truck with paint missing from the part of the trunk that was rubbing against the fender, so it was an issue from day 1. I thought it might have been a rock chip or something I caused, until it kept rubbing off touch up paint.