Evilcartman orignally posted this, but alot of people have had issues seeing that thread/deadlinks. Terminator-Fox saved a copy and emailed it out so I figured I would rehost for anyone that needs to fix the slamming the hood to get it to shut! :beer:
Mustang Hood Latch Adjustment\Modification
I found that no adjustment to the hood striker would help with the difficulty I had closing my hood. Tired of slamming the hood to get it to shut, I started looking at it and found a simple solution. I installed a washer that acted like a shim between the latch brace and the latch, raising the latch up just enough to make the hood close perfectly.
Required tools:
1) Small Phillips screw driver
2) Torx T-30
3) 5/16 socket or wrench
4) Medium sized washer
Approximate time to complete: 15 minutes
Step 1: Remove the 4 plastic screws along with the grommets they thread into.
Step 2: Remove the plastic cover.
Step 3: Remove the three 5/16th bolts and the T-30 Torx screw.
Step 4: Carefully remove the latch assembly and set it aside. It does has sharp edges.
Step 5: Make sure latch brace clip stays in place.
Step 6: Place washer on top of brace. I used a drop of silicon glue to keep in place, but it is not necessary.
Step 7: Close-up of washer. I used a fairly thick one. Two may be needed.
Step 8: Put latch back in place and get T-30 screw started. Don’t tighten completely.
Step 9: Tighten the three 5/16th bolts. Tighten the two forward facing bolts first, then the bolt on top, then the torx screw. Don’t over tighten the torx, the cheap clip won’t put up with it. I took the time to use touch up paint and paint the scratch screw heads and bracket. It is covered though so it doesn’t matter.
Step 10: Reinstall plastic cover. Install grommets first then plastic screws just push in.
Step 11: Close hood and check alignment on each side.
Step 12: Adjust bump stops under hood to get the hood flush with fenders.
Step 13: Check both sides.
Make sure that when the hood is closed and the bump stops are adjusted that the hood doesn’t float. Check it by closing the hood, pulling up and down on the hood to make sure it is not loose. Raising the latch too much and lowering the bump stops may make the hood loose. You are looking for the sweet spot between the three contact points on the front of the hood. If your hood still is difficult to shut you may try and install two washers stacked and make sure the latch is lined up with the hole in the hood.
By Evilcartman
Mustang Hood Latch Adjustment\Modification
I found that no adjustment to the hood striker would help with the difficulty I had closing my hood. Tired of slamming the hood to get it to shut, I started looking at it and found a simple solution. I installed a washer that acted like a shim between the latch brace and the latch, raising the latch up just enough to make the hood close perfectly.
Required tools:
1) Small Phillips screw driver
2) Torx T-30
3) 5/16 socket or wrench
4) Medium sized washer
Approximate time to complete: 15 minutes
Step 1: Remove the 4 plastic screws along with the grommets they thread into.
Step 2: Remove the plastic cover.
Step 3: Remove the three 5/16th bolts and the T-30 Torx screw.
Step 4: Carefully remove the latch assembly and set it aside. It does has sharp edges.
Step 5: Make sure latch brace clip stays in place.
Step 6: Place washer on top of brace. I used a drop of silicon glue to keep in place, but it is not necessary.
Step 7: Close-up of washer. I used a fairly thick one. Two may be needed.
Step 8: Put latch back in place and get T-30 screw started. Don’t tighten completely.
Step 9: Tighten the three 5/16th bolts. Tighten the two forward facing bolts first, then the bolt on top, then the torx screw. Don’t over tighten the torx, the cheap clip won’t put up with it. I took the time to use touch up paint and paint the scratch screw heads and bracket. It is covered though so it doesn’t matter.
Step 10: Reinstall plastic cover. Install grommets first then plastic screws just push in.
Step 11: Close hood and check alignment on each side.
Step 12: Adjust bump stops under hood to get the hood flush with fenders.
Step 13: Check both sides.
Make sure that when the hood is closed and the bump stops are adjusted that the hood doesn’t float. Check it by closing the hood, pulling up and down on the hood to make sure it is not loose. Raising the latch too much and lowering the bump stops may make the hood loose. You are looking for the sweet spot between the three contact points on the front of the hood. If your hood still is difficult to shut you may try and install two washers stacked and make sure the latch is lined up with the hole in the hood.
By Evilcartman
