Help - Hood REALLY Stuck!!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Help - Hood REALLY Stuck!!!!!
Gang - My hood is REALLY stuck!!!! 73' Stingway
I was messing around with the hood hinges last weekend trying to line up hood gaps and now my hood will not open. I have read the posts and know how to "pop" the hood through the driver side acccess hole. The hood release cable works, I can pop the hood but ONLY the drivers side releases. I can then reach under and pull on the cross-over cable hard and it still looks and feels intact but will not release the passenger side.
The passenger side seems to slightly release but then nothing, nada, likes its stuck on something. Ugh - I've spent two hours cusing!
Any ideas? Is there another way?
Help please and much appreciated.
I was messing around with the hood hinges last weekend trying to line up hood gaps and now my hood will not open. I have read the posts and know how to "pop" the hood through the driver side acccess hole. The hood release cable works, I can pop the hood but ONLY the drivers side releases. I can then reach under and pull on the cross-over cable hard and it still looks and feels intact but will not release the passenger side.
The passenger side seems to slightly release but then nothing, nada, likes its stuck on something. Ugh - I've spent two hours cusing!
Any ideas? Is there another way?
Help please and much appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
Mine has started doing the same...
Pull the release and both sides pop up..drivers side is fully released but passenger side is still held captive???wtf
If I get my wife to stand at the ready when I pull the release, we can sometimes time it right so she pulls up and the hood pops.
Real PITA tho...
Did notice the cross hood cable can be adjusted 1 more hole on the catches..perhaps the cable has stretched a little...
Help also please!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Had a buddy try to two time it with me already and we were both cusing! The assenger side barely pops, maybe 1/4 to 1/2" but then seems to hang on something! I even jacked the car up and tried to get to the latch - no luck, not even close by a mile. The 73" also does not have a springlach to pop like on the 78'.
WTF - I dont want to go to a shop and end up spending $200.
WTF - I dont want to go to a shop and end up spending $200.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 2
From: southeast Idaho
If the anchor pin on the body isnt centered directly underneath the hole in the hood latch, the latch will catch on the anchor pin even if the latch cable is working properly. Have someone pull the cable and hold it and try moving the hood side to side and or forward and back and usually you can get the anchor pin to lined up good enough with the hole to release. The anchor pins can be loosened and moved in any direction to get them lined up with the holes in the hood latches. After adjusting the hinges you will need to check the anchor pins on both sides for alignment. The best way I have found to do that is put masking tape over the holes in the latches and put a little spot of grease or somthing on the top of the anchor pins and let the hood down just enough to touch the tape and see if the center of the anchor pins are sitting in the middle of the holes in the latches. Be careful you dont latch the hood down till you get that adjustment right or it will be caught again. Hope this helps, been there done that.
Mike
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by onaqwst
have someone push down on the hood and you try to pull the cable...
Respond quickly. I can e-mail you my procedure that may help, but you must agree not to ever post it anywhere.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 865
Likes: 53
hood latch
this has happened to me also . If you drivers side is open , put wood block in opening so hood stays open on that end 2 - 3 '' . Then I use an electrician's snake with little hook on the end (2 1/2 - 3 ') and with hook up , run snake to the passenger side cable location , grab bracket and pull . I've gotten pretty good , you will too . Best done when it's dark with a flashlite
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Okay - another frustrating few hours and nothing! ugh. I am 100% certain now that the cable is pulling and releasing the passenger side latch and I think/it sounds/and feels like the hood may be stuck on the pin/spring mechanism. I'm thinking the only way at this point is to lossen the hood somehow.
I don't see where I can get to the hing bolts to loosen them. Any pics? I see what appears to be the hood hing bolt screws coming tgough the top of the inner fender wheel well but they come through anchored bolts, no way to remove those bolts. What am I missing - sry guys but thanks!
I don't see where I can get to the hing bolts to loosen them. Any pics? I see what appears to be the hood hing bolt screws coming tgough the top of the inner fender wheel well but they come through anchored bolts, no way to remove those bolts. What am I missing - sry guys but thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
You're about to love me. Jack up the car in the front on the effected side to the point that the front tire is off the ground,..and if that doesn't work do the other side,..the hood should pop.
What's probably happening is the stud is hung on the bracket,..not the latch. If this trick (above) doesn't work, you'll need to loosen the hinge-to-hood bolts on the side that won't release then pivot the hood back or forward to clear the bracket. You'll have to gain access through the grill to the hood-hinge bolts.
Good luck!
What's probably happening is the stud is hung on the bracket,..not the latch. If this trick (above) doesn't work, you'll need to loosen the hinge-to-hood bolts on the side that won't release then pivot the hood back or forward to clear the bracket. You'll have to gain access through the grill to the hood-hinge bolts.
Good luck!
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Apr 22, 2007 at 11:41 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
I've had to do this before. You have to get on your back, reach up through the frame, and get to the front hinge bolts near the edge of each side of the radiator. You can do it but it's a real pain. The bolts we're talking about are oriented straight up and down, not sideways. They are on the hood, not the wheel wells. Once they are out, you can lift the front of the hood a few inches and move it slightly. This will allow you to get the rear hinges to pop.
When you get it off, don't lock it down again until you align the hood latches or you'll have to do it again!!
When you get it off, don't lock it down again until you align the hood latches or you'll have to do it again!!
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: kalamazoo MI
I just dealt with the same problem YESTERDAY. I had to loosen the hood hinge bolts. They are hidden by the core support. All you will need to do is loosen them then the hood will pop. I use a 1/2 ratcheting box wrench. I also install my hood this way. It's a PITA, but you can get the hood gaps correct the first time.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Hartland WI
I've had to do this before. You have to get on your back, reach up through the frame, and get to the front hinge bolts near the edge of each side of the radiator. You can do it but it's a real pain. The bolts we're talking about are oriented straight up and down, not sideways. They are on the hood, not the wheel wells. Once they are out, you can lift the front of the hood a few inches and move it slightly. This will allow you to get the rear hinges to pop.
When you get it off, don't lock it down again until you align the hood latches or you'll have to do it again!!
When you get it off, don't lock it down again until you align the hood latches or you'll have to do it again!!
Just had this happen to me not to long ago. Here's my thread about it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1661190
You'll have to get at the front hinge bolts as described. Is a pain in the butt but it was the only way I could get my hood unstuck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Thanks guys - still no luck yet. I see what you mean by the hing bolts not being in the wheel well. However, I can't seem to reach or see the hing bolts? someone mentioned removing the core support - what is the core support? Seems like the radiator completly blocks everything.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: Holtwood PA
help down the road..
Thanks guys - still no luck yet. I see what you mean by the hing bolts not being in the wheel well. However, I can't seem to reach or see the hing bolts? someone mentioned removing the core support - what is the core support? Seems like the radiator completly blocks everything.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Stockton CA
My Hood Too
Thanks guys - still no luck yet. I see what you mean by the hing bolts not being in the wheel well. However, I can't seem to reach or see the hing bolts? someone mentioned removing the core support - what is the core support? Seems like the radiator completly blocks everything.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
There's a chance the hood stud or pin loosened up and shifted a bit. Based on what you're reporting, I'm still thinking the head of the stud is caught on the round hole of the hood bracket,..not the latch. See if you can can push or pull the stud with something through the little access hole. The stud is surrounded by the spring so you'll be able to feel where it is.
This sounds stupid but worth a try. Drive one of the fronnt wheels on a curb then pull the hood latch. If that doesn't pop it, drive the other front wheel on a curb. Perhaps you'll get enough body shift or twist to slightly realign the geometry of the stud and hood bracket. Worth a try.
If that doesn't work,..
...this is last ditch and I'm not near my car to verify this idea, but could you cut out a small piece of the cowl where the little access hole is, and cut the hood stud (or pin) with a sawzall and long blade?
This sounds stupid but worth a try. Drive one of the fronnt wheels on a curb then pull the hood latch. If that doesn't pop it, drive the other front wheel on a curb. Perhaps you'll get enough body shift or twist to slightly realign the geometry of the stud and hood bracket. Worth a try.
If that doesn't work,..
...this is last ditch and I'm not near my car to verify this idea, but could you cut out a small piece of the cowl where the little access hole is, and cut the hood stud (or pin) with a sawzall and long blade?
Last edited by 73, Dark Blue 454; Apr 26, 2007 at 12:12 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Gang - My hood is REALLY stuck!!!! 73' Stingway
I was messing around with the hood hinges last weekend trying to line up hood gaps and now my hood will not open. I have read the posts and know how to "pop" the hood through the driver side acccess hole. The hood release cable works, I can pop the hood but ONLY the drivers side releases. I can then reach under and pull on the cross-over cable hard and it still looks and feels intact but will not release the passenger side.
The passenger side seems to slightly release but then nothing, nada, likes its stuck on something. Ugh - I've spent two hours cusing!
Any ideas? Is there another way?
Help please and much appreciated.
I was messing around with the hood hinges last weekend trying to line up hood gaps and now my hood will not open. I have read the posts and know how to "pop" the hood through the driver side acccess hole. The hood release cable works, I can pop the hood but ONLY the drivers side releases. I can then reach under and pull on the cross-over cable hard and it still looks and feels intact but will not release the passenger side.
The passenger side seems to slightly release but then nothing, nada, likes its stuck on something. Ugh - I've spent two hours cusing!
Any ideas? Is there another way?
Help please and much appreciated.
I don't know why I let this happen but my next door neighbor helped me by carefully using a flat bar.... I would have to say I was lucky for no stress cracks or nothing...
For sure at the time, it seemed as if we would have had to cut up the hood....
If you try this be VERY CCCAAARRREEEFFFUUULLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
!!!!!! Nothing gives. I took the day off and have been to three (3) mechanical garages, two (2) well recommended auto body shops, and two (2) Chevy dealerships and they have all said "your hood's stuck."
The last Chevy Dealership had a autobody/collision repair center and they agreed to take a strong billable look next Monday. However, the shop Manager said the time spent will be billed with no promise that they can open or keep from breaking anything. Everyone agrees that the latch/cables work but that the hood latch mechanism seems to be stuck on the pin. This is going to be a $500 ordeal! Ugh - This makes me sick. There goes my extra cash that was going toward my front end suspension rebuild and a moth of lost summer vette time.
Word to the wise - don't mess with the hood.
The last Chevy Dealership had a autobody/collision repair center and they agreed to take a strong billable look next Monday. However, the shop Manager said the time spent will be billed with no promise that they can open or keep from breaking anything. Everyone agrees that the latch/cables work but that the hood latch mechanism seems to be stuck on the pin. This is going to be a $500 ordeal! Ugh - This makes me sick. There goes my extra cash that was going toward my front end suspension rebuild and a moth of lost summer vette time.
Word to the wise - don't mess with the hood.