Hood Hinge Problems

tx65coupe · Jun 3, 2009

I am having hood hinge issues. Because of this the corner of my hood is chipped and the driver side fender has a slight dimple in it.

In my opinion the hood hinge springs are too stiff and put too much tension on the hood hinges.

I have had my Mustang for about 15 years and never had a problem with the hinges.

One of the original hinges collapsed the other day. I installed new hood hinges and now the hinge on the other side collapsed.

I have a replacement hinge on its way. I am going to try springs for a fiberglass hood, since they are not as stiff.

Will this work?

Also, Has anyone used this?

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=HLK4+01

2+2GT · Jun 3, 2009

Sorry, "The page cannot be found".

Did you use your old springs with the new hinges? I would.

tx65coupe · Jun 3, 2009

Right now I am using the old springs with the new hinges. I still think they are too stiff. I tried the new springs with the new hinges at first and the first time I started to close the hood the driver side hinge started to collapse. I bent it back into shape for the time being and installed the old springs with a link of chain on one end to make them weaker and they still hold the hood up but that hinge bows with closing the hood down. I have another new hinge on its way.

This link if for a hood lift kit that uses the modern style gas shocks. I'm not sure why the link won't work. Here it is again.

Mustangs Unlimited - The Premier Source for Mustang, Shelby and Cougar Parts and Accessories

If the link won't work go to mustangs unlimited and search HLK4.

tx65coupe · Jun 3, 2009

Also, I have tried my hood with out any springs and it sits too low in the back with out springs installed. So low in fact that the hood touches the cowel when opening and closing. Is this normal?

tx65coupe · Jun 3, 2009

Do you think the softer springs for a fiberglass hood will be strong enough. That is what I am trying next, once the second new hinge arrives.

2+2GT · Jun 3, 2009

tx65coupe said:
Right now I am using the old springs with the new hinges. I still think they are too stiff. I tried the new springs with the new hinges at first and the first time I started to close the hood the driver side hinge started to collapse. I bent it back into shape for the time being and installed the old springs with a link of chain on one end to make them weaker and they still hold the hood up but that hinge bows with closing the hood down. I have another new hinge on its way.

Proper lubrication is the key. Of course, that won't help a hinge that's not made right. The 'glass springs probably won't hold the hood up safely, if at all. The alignment problems are just that, the hinges need to be carefully adjusted to close to the right point and not hit the cowl.

tx65coupe · Jun 3, 2009

The hinges are all the way up and the hood is all the way forward and it still contacts the cowel when going up and down with out springs installed. Also it sits lower with out springs installed. I don't have anymore adjustment.

rebel65 · Jun 3, 2009

the fiberglass springs hardly hold up a fiberglass hood, i doubt they will even lift when you open the hood.

CraigMBA · Jun 3, 2009

I feel your pain. The repro hinges suck so bad I gave up and got my wallet out - and bought the ring bros. pieces. My hood now closes consistantly and without "walking" side to side.

I have heard of people rebushing the stock hinges but personally I've never seen it done successfully.

In short, it isn't the springs. Good luck.

tx65coupe · Jun 4, 2009

I still think the springs are too stiff for the design of the hinge, since the hood will stay open with one spring. The new repop springs are thicker and stiffer than the origianals too.

What are the ring bros peices?

I just found them. Those are 700 bucks. There is no way I am paying that much to get hinges that work. They may be made well, but my car doesn't have any billet stuff on it and I want to keep it that way. I don't like the look of all that billet stuff anyway.

Has anyone used the hydraulic shock hood lift kit from MU?

Bullitt · Jun 4, 2009

Try some lithium grease on the points of movement. I had an issue with mine not closing (had to walk to the back of the hood and push down on the corner to have it sit level with the fender once the hood was shut. Lubricating the hinges made all the difference in the world!

tx65coupe · Jun 4, 2009

I'll lube the hinges up better when I replace the one that is damaged as soon as the other new one arrives and I change that one out.

2+2GT · Jun 4, 2009

tx65coupe said:
The hinges are all the way up and the hood is all the way forward and it still contacts the cowel when going up and down with out springs installed. Also it sits lower with out springs installed. I don't have anymore adjustment.

There's a lot more than just up and down involved.

tx65coupe · Jun 4, 2009

I know that there is more than up and down involved, but I can not go up or forward anymore. It appears to be at the limit of adjustment.

The rest of the hood lines up well though. I wonder if it is the repop hinges?

Steve S · Jun 4, 2009

Hi,

I thought it was just me with the hood not lining up thing.

Mine needs to be pushed in the back to get it to close properly also.

I have an aftermarket hood on mine that i guess is half the weight of the original, i put new hinges on and got a set of new springs because it didn't want to sit down properly. There was some movement in the hinges so i assumed that these needed changing.

The way it sits now is new hinges and one old spring as the new springs are too tight and look like they are bending the hinges and the hood. I have a new original hood to try out on it to see if the weight makes a difference but i am not holding my breath.

For what it's worth, a pannel beater friend of mine thinks i am doing things backwards with setting the hinges in the wrong direction, he seems to think that it's easy to get this wrong because the hinges don't line up the in the way you might expect, i will keep an eye on this thread as this is a project i can do over our winter (here in NZ it is).

Steve

66HertzClone · Jun 4, 2009

Mine were toast too, I purchased a set from these guys and was very happy. SMS-Auto

I then came across the Ring Bros. units and could nor resist, these are beautiful and really look nice. Other than the cost the only negative comment is the hood does not open ad far as with the factory style hinges. The gas strut limits how far the hood opens, I didn't have a problem when I replaced the master cylinder, but it was tighter than I remember.

tx65coupe · Jun 5, 2009

I just can't see spending that much money for hinges. Also, My car doesn't have any billet aluminum on it and I really prefer to keep it that way.

Those hinges may be made very well, but they don't go with the look of my car.

Has any one used the kit that adapts the hydraulic struts to the factory hinges? I was thinking about that setup.

CraigMBA · Jun 5, 2009

It's the only billet piece on my car, except for the pieces I made. I don't have it for bling, Ring Bros. built them because they were disgusted with the quality of repro hinges. After having the hood not close consistantly for the past 20 years it's a nice change of pace.

tx65coupe · Jun 6, 2009

I recieved my replacement hinge and light duty springs. Mustangs Unlimited sent me another hinge to replace the damaged one.

I will probably swap out that hinge this weekend.

tx65coupe · Jun 6, 2009

Well the Shelby/Fiberglass hood springs are indeed too soft to hold up the hood.

I am thinking now about leaving them as helpers and to avoid the hood crashing down and add a hood prop.

I have seen a couple of different styles of them.

Does anyone have one of the hood props?

Hood Hinge Problems

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