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Could not open the hood, i had already installed an extra set of cables to ensure i could pull the locking tab back.
This did not work.
Turns out the pin was wedged against the receiving bracket.
Had to cut a hole in the hood to reach the bracket bolts holding the whole plate in.
There was no other way for me to get the hood open.
So i got the aero catch hood pins, i got these from an authorized local distributor so they cost me 85 bucks, but are authentic, not the chinese ones on fleabay, and will be installing them soon, i'll have to make a mounting plate to cover the hole, then install the new pins.
But at least the stuck hood problem should be gone forever, if these get stuck due to misalignment, i can at least get at the pins from the top and not do any more damage. Luckily for me i have experience with body work so this doesn't scare me.
But it's not always the locking tab or cable that gets stuck, though i've cleaned and greased this pin it still managed to get stuck.
i made my own version of the tool, and the locking tab attached to the cable was not the issue, it was the big heavy pin that goes into the bottom bracket that was at fault.
And YES it did hurt to have to cut the hood BUT at least it was for a worthy solution, so long as this hood doesn't get stuck to the point where i cannot open it i'm happy.
I can't imagine having this happen on the road at night in the middle of now where in an emergency, so i'm ok with installing the after market ones to have a permanent solution.
Personally i should just have done this right off the bat, would have saved me a world of grief on two other occasions when the hood got stuck.
Personally i should just have done this right off the bat, would have saved me a world of grief on two other occasions when the hood got stuck.
Two other occasions? Sorry, but you had plenty of warning something was out of alignment. You should be able to pull the hood release, and the hood should pop up a little bit all by itself, if the hood pins are aligned properly to the receivers! An occasional lube job is also a good idea. Cutting holes in my hood would make me cry!
My hood closes without slamming it. Set the hood down, then a gentle push down on each corner does the job.
Two other occasions? Sorry, but you had plenty of warning something was out of alignment. You should be able to pull the hood release, and the hood should pop up a little bit all by itself, if the hood pins are aligned properly to the receivers! An occasional lube job is also a good idea. Cutting holes in my hood would make me cry!
My hood closes without slamming it. Set the hood down, then a gentle push down on each corner does the job.
I agree which is why i cleaned the pins and lubed them at every oil change every 3 months.
It never popped up by itself which means the little shocks at the front may need replacement.
But it always was sticky, murphy's law got me before i could devote the time to check the alignment and correct it sooner.
It's a 30 year old car and is always bound to have issues. I'm sure GM never designed their cars to last 30 plus years and stay in perfect working order when they designed certain things.
As horrifying as it is at least we've all been there.
Why did you butcher it like that? How do you plan to fix it?
I did not have a choice, i had to get the hood open to fix a power steering leak which wound up being a bad rack and pinion, i use the car daily which means i had no choice but to cut the hole, remove the pin, and open the hood to replace the rack and pinion.
Trust me, cutting anything on this car is sacrilege to me, but i had no viable choice.
I will reshape the hole then i will use a piece of 1/16th inch thick steel plate to cover the hole riveted onto the hood, then i'll cut a hole in the steel cover plate to receive the new hood latch pins.
This is a last ditch solution, but offers me an easy way to lock/open the hood, and by posting my experience others can avoid the same problem, or at least have an option they may not have thought of saving them time, money and grief on how to fix it.
It never popped up by itself which means the little shocks at the front may need replacement.
But it always was sticky, murphy's law got me before i could devote the time to check the alignment and correct it sooner.
The small shocks at the front only provide assist in lifting the hood. The spring on the latch pins are what makes it pop up when the hood latch is pulled. Sounds like the pin was never adjusted to the center of the latch.
Guess I've been lucky had a few get stuck over the years but was always able to get it open. Some I had to jack opposing corners to flex the frame some.
The small shocks at the front only provide assist in lifting the hood. The spring on the latch pins are what makes it pop up when the hood latch is pulled. Sounds like the pin was never adjusted to the center of the latch.
Guess I've been lucky had a few get stuck over the years but was always able to get it open. Some I had to jack opposing corners to flex the frame some.
Just a tip for this forum I had my pin wedged and could not open the hood. I took the inner wells off and you can loosen the frontmost 2 bolts then with a pry bar or screwdriver press the latch outward or inward(ask my how I know). The fix is to periodically file around the pins as they get wider as time goes on.
Good luck
84 Hood Stuck Closed, New Solution
