Method of attaching and aligning a closure panel

Abstract

A method of aligning and duplicating alignment includes welding a washer over a larger opening in a hinge once in an aligned position relative to a vehicle door. The door is mounted into an alignment fixture and the hinges are installed over threaded studs extending from the door. The washer is placed onto the threaded stud and tightened against the hinge, covering the larger opening in the hinge. The larger opening in the hinge allows movement of the hinge relative to the door for alignment. The washer defines an opening with a smaller opening sized to provide relatively little clearance for the threaded stud, and thereby maintain alignment between the door and hinge. The washer is permanently attached by a welding operation to allow duplication of door hinge alignment during reassembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.