Body Front End Buick LaCrosse I

Fastener Tightening Specifications

Fastener Tightening Specifications

Scheme 13

Hood, Hinge, Rod, Stud Replacement - Hood

Scheme 14

Fender, Fender Insulator, Wheelhouse Liner Replacement - Front

Adjustment Procedure

The hood hinges are bolted to the following components

1. The fender
2. The hood

Elongate the hood-side hinge holes in order to make the fore-aft adjustment. Adjust the hood bumpers up or down in order to make the vertical adjustment at the front. The gap tolerances are 2-6 mm (0.10-0.22 in). The flush tolerances are 0-2.0 mm (0-0.06 in).

1. Open the hood.
2. Loosen the hinge-to-hood bolts.
3. Adjust the hood-to-fender position.
4. Close the hood.
5. Inspect the alignment.
6. Open the hood.
7. Adjust the hood as needed. NOTE: Refer to «FASTENER NOTICE»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/oem-general-information/#cautions-and-notices__fastener-notice) in Cautions and Notices.
8. Install the hinge to hood bolts. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 27 N.m (20 lb ft).
9. Adjust the front hood bumper.
10. Close the hood.

Scheme 15

Hood Latch Replacement

Scheme 16

Hood Latch Support Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the left front headlamp. Refer to «Headlamp, Fog Lamp, Turn Signal Lamp, Side Marker Lamp Replacement - Front»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-lights/#lighting-systems) in Lighting Systems.
3. Remove the hood latch release cable from the latch mechanism.
4. Remove the front fender upper diagonal brace. Refer to «Brace Replacement - Front Fender Upper Diagonal»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-body-panels/#body-front-end) .
5. Remove the air cleaner. Refer to one of the following procedures: «Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-control-system-36l-ly7-introduction-2-of-2) in Engine Controls - 3.6L. «Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-control-system-38l-introduction-2-of-2) in Engine Controls - 3.8L.
6. Tie a wire or string to the end of the hood release cable, in order to aid in the installation of the new hood release cable. Ensure that the end of the wire or string remains in the engine compartment.
7. Remove the hood release cable retainers from the engine compartment side rail.
8. Pull the carpet back in order to access the hood latch release cable.
9. Remove the hood latch release handle.
10. Remove the hood latch release cable from the hood latch release handle.
11. Using a small, flat-bladed tool remove grommet from the dash panel.
12. Remove the hood latch release cable from the dash panel.

Installation Procedure

1. Tie the hood latch release cable to a wire or string. Feed the hood latch release cable through the grommet at the dash panel.
2. Apply strip caulk sealer or equivalent to the grommet.
3. Install the hood latch release cable to the hood release handle.
4. Install the hood release handle.
5. Pull the carpet back.
6. Install the hood latch release cable retainers to the engine compartment side rail retainers.
7. Route the hood latch release cable through the radiator support.
8. Install the air cleaner. Refer to one of the following procedures: «Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-control-system-36l-ly7-introduction-2-of-2) in Engine Controls - 3.6L. «Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/testing-diagnostics/#engine-control-system-38l-introduction-2-of-2) in Engine Controls - 3.8L.
9. Install the front fender upper diagonal brace. Refer to «Brace Replacement - Front Fender Upper Diagonal»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-body-panels/#body-front-end) .
10. Install the hood release cable to the hood latch.
11. Install the left front headlamp. Refer to «Headlamp, Fog Lamp, Turn Signal Lamp, Side Marker Lamp Replacement - Front»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-lights/#lighting-systems) in Lighting Systems.
12. Remove the block from the hood latch.
13. Inspect the hood latch for proper operation.
14. Close the hood.

Scheme 17

Hood Insulator Replacement

Scheme 18

Headlamp and Bumper Fascia Mounting Panel - Front

1. Open and support the hood.
2. Remove the front fender upper diagonal brace-to-inner fender bolt.
3. Remove the front fender upper diagonal brace-to-radiator support bolts.
4. Remove the front fender upper diagonal brace.

1. Install the front fender upper diagonal brace.
2. Install the bolts to the front fender upper diagonal brace at the radiator support. Tighten: Tighten the bolts to 47 N.m (35 lb ft).
3. Install the front fender diagonal brace-to-inner fender bolt. Tighten: Tighten the bolt to 47 N.m (35 lb ft).
4. Close the hood.

Scheme 19

Radiator Support Sight Shield Replacement

Scheme 20

Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement

1. Open and support the hood.
2. Starting at the center of the weatherstrip, pull the weatherstrip forward and pull the weatherstrip off of the flange.
3. Remove the weatherstrip from the flange.

1. Align the weatherstrip to the flange.
2. Starting at the passenger side corner, press the weatherstrip onto the flange. Work toward the center of the car.
3. Close the hood.

1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the rear side hood seal from the pinchweld flange and motor compartment flange.
3. Remove the rear side hood seal from the vehicle.
4. Clean any adhesive from the pinch-weld flange and motor compartment flange surface using 3M™ P/N 8984 Adhesive Remover.

1. Remove the protective backing paper from the adhesive on the rear side hood seal.
2. Install the rear side hood seal to the pinchweld flange and motor compartment flange.
3. Install the side rear hood seal onto the pinch-weld flange and motor compartment flange until the adhesive is fully adhered.
4. Close the hood.

Tools Required

J 38778 Door Trim Pad and Garnish Clip Remover. See Special Tools .

1. Remove the push-in retainers that hold the ABS lead to the engine splash shield.
2. Use the J 38778 in order to remove the push-in retainers from the engine splash shield. See «Special Tools»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-body-panels/#body-front-end__special-tools) .
3. Remove the engine splash shield from the lower flange of the engine compartment side rail.

1. Install the engine splash shield to the lower flange of the engine compartment side rail.
2. Route the ABS lead through the slot in the engine splash shield.
3. Align the holes in the engine splash shield to holes in the outboard side engine compartment side rail.
4. Install the push-in retainers to the engine splash shield.

Engine Dash Mat Replacement - Side

The engine side dash mat is composed of a thermoplastic rubber. The material is flexible. In order to service the dash mat or in order to make any repair behind the mat, complete one of the following steps

1. Locally pull the dash mat away.
2. Remove the dash mat.
3. Pull the dash mat aside in order to make a repair behind the dash.
4. Cut the dash mat.

Do not cut the dash mat unless it is necessary. If you cut the mat, complete the following steps in order to repair the cut

1. Lightly sand the area around the cut in order to prepare the surface.
2. Apply contact cement between the following areas: The cut surface The surrounding area
3. Allow the cement to cure before applying pressure to the repaired area.

This vehicle has a unitized body. The frame supports the following components

1. The engine
2. The transaxle

There are other integral body components

1. The inner fender panels
2. The radiator support

Anti-corrosion materials have been applied to the interior surfaces of some metal panels. When servicing these panels, properly re-coat the disturbed areas with a service type anti-corrosion material. For more information on anti-corrosion material, refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair in Paint and Coatings.

Front End Sealing Description

High quality durable sealers are applied to all of the potential waterleak locations during production. If you need to reseal specific areas, use a sealer that has the following characteristics

1. The sealer is high quality and medium bodied.
2. The sealer remains flexible after curing.
3. The sealer can be painted.

Air Inlet Grille Panel Water Flow Direction and Cleaning

A large percentage of water will flow off the windshield area into the air inlet grille panel drain system and then down the outside on the air inlet grille panel to the underside of the vehicle. To ensure that the air inlet grille panel water management system performs properly, the air inlet grille panel, and drains must not be blocked with debris.

In the graphic below the gray arrows show the water flow direction in the air inlet grille panel and drains system.

Scheme 21

The air inlet grille panel is located in front of the windshield.

1. Remove the upper air inlet grille panel. Refer to «Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-body-panels/#body-front-end) .
2. Clean the lower air inlet grille panel of debris blockage.
3. Flush the lower air inlet grille panel with clean water.
4. Install the upper air inlet grille panel. Refer to «Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement»(/buick/lacrosse/i-2004-2009/remont/exterior-body-panels/#body-front-end) .

Special Tools

Special Tools Illustration Part No./Description J 38778 Door Trim Pad Clip Remover

Scheme 22

See also:
• Fastener Notice
• Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
• Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
• Molding Replacement - Rocker Panel
• Fastener Tightening Specifications
• Headlamp, Fog Lamp, Turn Signal Lamp, Side Marker Lamp Replacement - Front
• Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement
• Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement
• Fascia, Absorber, Reinforcement Replacement - Front Bumper
• Wiper Arm, Blade, Insert Replacement - Front
• Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair
• Fastener Tightening Specifications
• Radiator Support Sight Shield Replacement
• Special Tools