How do you close your hood?

[AR67GTX]

You probably wouldn’t believe how much conflict this subject periodically raises on the C2 Corvette Forum. I drop mine from about 4 to 6”. Even if it doesn’t latch fully on that first drop, lifting it back up 3-4” and dropping again always seems to latch it.

 

[Don Frelier]

Carefully

 

[64BEL]

 

[33 IMP]

If I knew how, I'd post Jimmy J.J. Walker closing the hood in "Airplane!"

 

[dadsbee]

Lol, watched that last night...

 

[eldubb440]

I've done that lmao..... not exactly that way

when you have to get the hood to release after a wreck, it works more often than you might think

 

[Runcharger]

I have heard from some pretty respected folks that the hood was designed to close by dropping it from a few feet. I myself don't have the nerve to do it that way. I close it carefully with my palms flat making sure I hear the catch latch itself and then I carefully wipe off the palmprints. And there's very few people I will allow to close my hood or trunklid. My car, my way.

 

[Ron H]

If you dont slam it, somebody else will lol. Doors too. Can you guys tell this is a pet peeve of mine??

Usually it’s people who don’t know squat about cars, or one who does, but it isn’t HIS ride so he doesn’t care.

 

[eldubb440]

I have heard from some pretty respected folks that the hood was designed to close by dropping it from a few feet. I myself don't have the nerve to do it that way. I close it carefully with my palms flat making sure I hear the catch latch itself and then I carefully wipe off the palmprints. And there's very few people I will allow to close my hood or trunklid. My car, my way.

actually, the only thing the hood hits is the rubber stops, and the latch....... so, in theory; dropping the hood should never cause damage

if the latch doesn't click, it's a little too low

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I lower the hood down to about 8" then shove it rearward.... That collapses the hinges so the rear of the hood is pulled down.... Then I drop the hood the rest of the way, latches virtually every time..

 

[hunt2elk]

actually, the only thing the hood hits is the rubber stops, and the latch.......

And the pop up spring.

 

[RemCharger]

I lower the hood down to about 8" then shove it rearward.... That collapses the hinges so the rear of the hood is pulled down.... Then I drop the hood the rest of the way, latches virtually every time..

Sounds like the words of a challenger man

 

[Ron H]

Not exactly related, but discussing hoods, had a 70 Cuda and 73 Challenger. The hood never aligned that well on either. If I recall, the hood wasn’t aligned with the right fender, meaning the hood sat slightly above. Tried futzing with it and didn’t help almost seemed like the hood was sprung. They were both scooped hoods.
This was a long time ago, anyone else encounter this or was I just lucky on these two rides I wish I still had?

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Not exactly related, but discussing hoods, had a 70 Cuda and 73 Challenger. The hood never aligned that well on either. If I recall, the hood wasn’t aligned with the right fender, meaning the hood sat slightly above. Tried futzing with it and didn’t help almost seemed like the hood was sprung. They were both scooped hoods.
This was a long time ago, anyone else encounter this or was I just lucky on these two rides I wish I still had?

Often the spring wedges mounted to the fenders just forward of the hinge get broken, if one breaks it can cause the hood to sit wonky... Add some wear to the hinges and it gets worse... Hence the reason I shove the hood rearward before closing...

 

[gtx6970]

If things are adjusted properly, it requires very little effort...... If the weight of the hood clicks it shut from a couple inches, there is no need to push on it

This ^

 

[Coelacanth]

I have always slowly closed it to the safety latch and then just push it down shut.

That's what I do, especially with my GN and now that my Charger has been painted.

 

[kiwigtx]

On my GTX I would bring the hood down while holding the safety hook so when it passed the catch panel, the hook didn't rub the paint. Then with the hood sitting just a couple of inches open, I would just push it closed. No slamming or dropping....just a carefully measured push. Nothing more than a push - no body weight needed when everything is squared away and aligned properly.

Unlike Chevy guys who just slam their hoods from way the hell up high and walk away.


I purposely waited till this thread was a few days old to post - just to see how many rough bastages are out there.

 

[moparx]

On my GTX I would bring the hood down while holding the safety hook so when it passed the catch panel, the hook didn't rub the paint. Then with the hood sitting just a couple of inches open, I would just push it closed. No slamming or dropping....just a carefully measured push. Nothing more than a push - no body weight needed when everything is squared away and aligned properly.

Unlike Chevy guys who just slam their hoods from way the hell up high and walk away.


I purposely waited till this thread was a few days old to post - just to see how many rough bastages are out there.

i despise slamming hoods, doors, and deck lids.
it took a little time, but my charger's panels shut with just a slight "click,click".
very little pressure needed, and it suits me just fine.