3k Internal structural support piece flexes outer shell top

Any one ever come across this?

It looks like the internal structural support piece that has the felt on it that is located roughly under the pads is pushing the pads upwards and the bottom also pushes downward to the point that the center foot is is visibly not flush with with the outer feet.

There is a lot of resistance when I try to close the MPC, and put the screws back in. It actually visually flexes the panel under the pads and the bottom panel.

I opened it up, and tried taking the felt off, but it didn't make much of a difference.

It must be something else in the innards keeping it from closing shut all the way....the felt topped reinforcement is there to keep it solid like you said and won't hinder it from closing properly. Did you double check everything else? Don't force it...