Hood Latch Issue

S

Stangdriver1119

New Member

Aug 24, 2005

231

0

0

Saddle Brook, NJ

Jan 11, 2006

#1

• Jan 11, 2006

• #1

I was wondering if anyone has problem like I do with my hood latch. I need to drop the hood from like a foot above and let it slam down for the hood to latch correctly. Just pushing down on won't latch it. I'm concerned because I want to get MRT's hood struts and get rid of my prop rod but I don't think my hood will close since the hood struts wouldn't let the hood slam down anymore. Any suggestions?

 

98stangv8

Active Member

Oct 3, 2003

1,036

0

36

fayetteville, nc

Jan 11, 2006

#2

• Jan 11, 2006

• #2

well, I have to slam mine too...and I have hood struts...they don't really "kick in" until you have the hood up a good ways...you can still drop it with no problems with the struts...

 

helty

some Ukrainian's enjoying a handjob via my credit

Mar 30, 2005

1,461

1

39

Baltimore, MD

Jan 11, 2006

#3

• Jan 11, 2006

• #3

yeah, i have the exact same problem. adjusting the hood stops helped for a while, but it always ends up having the same problem.

 

Blinkstang

Member

Apr 2, 2005

316

0

16

Chicago, IL

Jan 11, 2006

#4

• Jan 11, 2006

• #4

Yeah I have the Redline Tuning struts as well and can still slam my hood shut.

 

squares98

Member

Aug 20, 2004

852

0

17

Orange,ca

Jan 11, 2006

#5

• Jan 11, 2006

• #5

ever try cleaning and lubing it, that always fixes the latch issue for me.

 

stangGT97

New Member

Dec 22, 2004

1,299

1

0

Boston area, MA

Jan 11, 2006

#6

• Jan 11, 2006

• #6

squares98 said:

ever try cleaning and lubing it, that always fixes the latch issue for me.

Click to expand...

yup. its recommended that you lube the latch every 3 months i believe. use white lithium spray grease, it may look like crap but it works like a charm. I actually broke my headlights from dropping the hood, the metal tabs that are part of the lense fell right off

 

N

n0v8or

10 Year Member

Aug 23, 2003

604

8

39

Rhode Island

Jan 12, 2006

#7

• Jan 12, 2006

• #7

After installing hood struts, I eliminated the "2 foot drop" by adding two 1/16"-thick plastic shims between the hood latch bracket and the top of the radiator support member. Remove the plastic top cover, loosen 2 bolts that retain the bracket plus 1 that retains the brace near the bottom of the radiator. Then raise the bracket and slip the shims under. Replace the bolts and try it out. If too loose/tight, remove or add shims.

I just lower the hood, push lightly, and it latches. Still no problems after 2+years.
I made the shims by cutting them with scissors from a black plastic VCR tape storage box (cost = 50 cents).

 

I

Isaac-1

Founding Member

Sep 8, 2001

824

1

16

SW Louisiana

Jan 12, 2006

#8

• Jan 12, 2006

• #8

Mine too, but it also pops open from time to time, mostly in cold weather (below freezing). The problem is now so bad that I have a new latch on order, per recomendation of the local dealership.

Ike

 

xseler8

Member

May 4, 2004

619

0

17

Montgomery County,Pa.

Jan 12, 2006

#9

• Jan 12, 2006

• #9

Blinkstang said:

Yeah I have the Redline Tuning struts as well and can still slam my hood shut.

Click to expand...

My set up also. No problems at all. Dropping the hood from a foot distance is nornal on mine. The hood props do not imped. I'm using the Elite kit

 

CRZYHRSGT

New Member

Feb 14, 2004

240

0

0

5.7 miles north of THE Ohio State University

Jan 12, 2006

#10

• Jan 12, 2006

• #10

Redlines with no problems here, too. BTW...I had heard a while back that they made the latch extra "stout" in order to keep the hood secure at highway speeds (b/c of the functionless hood scoop collecting air). That's just what I had read, but it does make sense...