Hood Closure

[safireviper]

My hood seems to need too much pressure to finally latch. I'm afraid I'll crack the paint or something. Any suggestions on a remedy?

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Make sure you close your hood on the subframe..don't push on the lower part of the hood. You could cause stress cracks from doing so.

You may also want to check the bumper stops to make sure they are not to high. That could prevent the easy closure of the hood.

 

[MtHam ACR]

Turn your fingers inward and place both palms on the side edges of the duct at the front of the nose and push down evently and firmly.

 

[MadMaxx]

Always spred 'em.
I close mine nearly 3" from the lights on either side... distributes the pressure and keeps the "one side catch" from happening.

MM

 

[ssssssnake]

I have had trouble with my hood also. Just be carefull...and listen to the guys above. Even the dealer closed my hood once, and I did not even realize until I got home that is was not shut the correct way. The right side of the hood was not latched down all the way. I complained to them but they were so cocky about it, and did not seem to give a f***. Watch out for the service department at Stockton Dodge.....cocky bas***ds. They have no Vipers on their lot and seem to know all about something they do not have.

Mark

 

[CAP]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JonB - PartsRack:
With the hood closed, you should push down BEHIND the NACA. That is AFT of the NACA. That is toward the windshield, ie Rearward of the NACA. In fact, 18" behind the leading edge of the hood.

Hands wider apart than NACA, (ie on the stripes if you got em!)

and push down in one firm, follow-thru motion.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This topic has come up so many times with so many different descriptions. (It amazes me that closing the hood is such a technical issue. Chalk it up to the unique clamshell design.)

The above description is the best I've seen and, IMHO, the best technique.

 

[MtHam ACR]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Turn your fingers inward and place both palms on the side edges of the duct at the front of the nose and push down evently and firmly. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
In re-reading my post I see my attempt for brevity didn't explain the process clearly: I don't want to imply pushing the duct itself or the front of the duct.

Pressure is applied at the back, outside the widest part, of the duct (in the stripes) -- one's palms are actually resting on the hood with your fingers inside the relieved area. The hood is structually sound here. This technique was demonstated by a viper tech and it closes reliably every time.

And as a bonus, you neither jamb your fingers (as with the fist/knuckles technique) nor do you leave fingerprints (by pushing on the flat part of the hood with an open hand), a clear benefit to those of us with dark paint.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

Maybe he knows how to close the hood but actually has a problem? Remember there are two rubber "stops" that are adjustable. If one is too high, you will have fits closing the hood. Usually that side will not catch. Always lift slightly to confirm the hood is closed.

 

[safireviper]

Thank you, Jerry. I'll check the rubber stops. I do know how to close the hood, though.

 

[Ulysses]

Before you adjust anything....!!! Look at the space between the headlight and the hood. Follow it from the outside of the headlight to the inside of the headlight. If the space on the inside of the headlight is around 5 mils or so, DO NOT DROP the rubber stops down. You DON'T want to end up rubbing the hood on the headlight assembly. After checking, if there is plenty of space, go ahead as Jerry suggests.

If not, also check that the hood latches have not slid down. They tend to do this over time and also contribute to difficult hood closing.

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MtHam ACR:
Turn your fingers inward and place both palms on the side edges of the duct at the front of the nose and push down evently and firmly. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


WRONG !!! Not your fault, most dealers do it WRONG, and showed you WRONG ! Now, your hood is 'flexing' too easily. The hole the NACA punches makes the area beside it and in front of it the WEAKEST area to push!

When the hood is up, view the intergral structural bar that runs across the hood, below the hinge assy. Integral to the hood. THIS is the strongest part of the hood, and the area where you place your hands and push down.

With the hood closed, you should push down BEHIND the NACA. That is AFT of the NACA. That is toward the windshield, ie Rearward of the NACA. In fact, 18" behind the leading edge of the hood.

Hands wider apart than NACA, (ie on the stripes if you got em!)

and push down in one firm, follow-thru motion.