A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an MRI magnet (100) including a bore (101) and having a magnetic field and a gradient coil (400) disposed within the bore and having an isocenter (404). A first location within the MRI magnet is determined with respect to a first predetermined reference surface of the MRI magnet, the first location representing a center (104) of the magnetic field. A second location within the gradient coil is determined with respect to a second predetermined reference surface of the gradient coil, the second location representing the isocenter. When the gradient coil is installed within the bore, the second predetermined reference surface abuts the first predetermined reference surface. The first predetermined reference surface is adjusted to an adjusted position, the adjusted position being determined as a function of the first location and the second location and corresponding to a position of the first predetermined reference surface at which the first location coincides with the second location when the gradient coil is installed within the bore.