Vintagevetter

I have a 94 coupe, and I have been noticing that when I pull my hood release, the left side will pop up...but not the right side. Usually I have to close the hood, then have someone pull up on the right side, when I pull the release. I just wondered if there is a way to adjust these latches????... or am I looking at these parts wearing out, and its time to replace some parts....while I can still open the hood?
thanks.

kelc317

Mine was doing the same thing.I would take it for a ride and the right side would pop open.Then after a year or so the release wouldn't work at all.I had to take the tire off then take out the wheel well to open the hood.If i were you I would buy the emergency release cables ($20.00) or have the hood release fixed because you are just asking for a headache.

overdrawn

Not sure but that looks like a plastic adjustment screw?

samsonb

My 89 does the same thing. I have to pull up on the hood while I pull the release. I've tried adjusting the cable at the latch. And also adjusting the plate on the hood.

My guess is the spring on the hood must be worn out as the adjustments either made it worse, or the passenger side wouldn't stay shut.

overdrawn

wow just noticed how dirty that pix looks :o, I'll get to work on the engine bay next...

86PACER

It sounds like the latches are releasing but one corner of the hood is simply not "popping" up under sufficient spring pressure if you're able to "pull" the hood up freely by hand.

Have someone pull the release latch while you look at their movement. Compare to the good side. You should see the latch clear the hole. Once that happens is up to the hood spirng to "pop" it up. If needed the latches are adjusted my turning the plastic nut pictured above.

Look at the pin and spring on the hood. If you loosen the large nut at the base with a big crescent wrench you can turn the center pin (tip is slotted) in and out for spring adjustment.

samsonb

I think when I messed with mine last. I tried loosening that large nut, but it wouldn't budge. I'll have to mess with that again.

I do remember someone saying Gordon Killebrew mentioned the hood should pop all the way up when you pull the release. But I doubt hardly any does that.

SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

I think the only way these heavy hoods should pop all the way up is maybe the two gas rods up front and down by the hinges make it happen but mine don't-I think the gas charge has leaked away over the years. I got a couple of new ones from Corvette Central but haven't put 'em in yet. Hard to believe those little gas rods could lift that hood!! Anyone know if they do?

86PACER

The nut on the base locks the pin stationary. Once loosend the pin is free to turn. It takes a monster crescent wrench to grab it.

astepup

Hmmm...another new thing I've learned That's one of the reasons I love this place. That and the pics, stories, ongoing jibes from the Quebec Kitty and Texas Hound, various photoshopped versions of the Hokey-miester and even once in a while a "troll" is amusing. Oh and let's not forget the classics like "how much hp a honda engine can be made to deliver" and "why are C4's so cheap" threads

astepup said that

powerpigz-51

Eventually, adjustments will no longer work. There is a simple cure, and that is to use small lock (split) washers on the end of the cable on the side that is not unlatching, usually the passenger side. You "open them up" slightly so you can fit them over the cable, then pinch them shut with pliers. If you pull on the end of the cable where the latch is, this is where you place them, taking out the slack. Mine has 3 washers on it.

4howard

I have a 91 with 8000 miles, owned since 97 when it had 3500 miles, and I can tell you that the hood is not designed to pop all the way. The latch allows the hood to release but then you need to lift it up all the way. And its not that light.

4howard

I had the same problem, first one side and then the other and then I could not get the hood open at all. Corvette Repair in Valley Stream, LI, NY told me that GM made a special tool that would release the hood without having to remove any body parts. They did not have it, but told me who to call, but I forgot who that was. Cost me about $75 but the shop had the hood open in a couple of minutes. They did repair the problem, I am afraid I don't remember what the fix was, but I know it was an adjustment of some sort, no parts were replaced.

KARR

Let me save you some time. I had the exact same problem. Clean up the springs on the hood and grease them real good. It should work just fine. Mine needed a major cleaning and fresh grease and it works great now.

avigar

Did the same thing last month since it was getting harder to pull the hood release. Be sure to apply white lithium grease where the hood latches meet the locking pins. During the cable adjustment process, I backed out the plastic adjustment collars all the way back. I then applied equal amounts of rotations to both collars until the hood release felt right. Be sure to lock the collars in place when done.

H P Bushrod

Vintagevetter

Thanks guys...for all the suggestions. I will start experimenting this week...

oldalaskaman

you could save yourself a lot of time and aggrevation, if you would buy the upgraded kit from corvette recycling, it's $49 bucks, has new upgraded springs , pins, cables, latches, and clips. I went thru this and the upgraded kit cured everything ,and I would have saved myself alot of time had I done it to start with. Those companies that sell the individual parts for 30-40 bucks are a rip off, I also got rid of the emergency hood release cables cause this kit works perfect every time. when I swapped my 92 hood onto my 87 , I took the upgraded kit and installed it in the 92, works perfect

jack53

The hood pins can mushroom around the larger end and may need to be grinded down a bit around the larger edge of the rim.

kimmer

My hood didn't pop up when I got it so I adjusted the springs and now she pops right up.
Also I would never take off the emergency release cables if you have them, if you don't I would suggest getting them. You may never need them, but if you do, it will save you a lot of 4 letter words and a lot of time.