85 corvette hood stuck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Likes: 19
From: las vegas nv
85 corvette hood stuck
have 85 corvette with the previously mentioned cable release wires on both sides passernger side works with the cable release, drivers side use to work when i pulled the release handle under the dash and pushed down on the hoos, like a dummy i tightned the spring and nut it was loose now nada, its stuck on the drivers side, latch release cable relases but the hood feels like its bolted down...any ideas
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,348
Likes: 2,272
From: Central Maryland
have 85 corvette with the previously mentioned cable release wires on both sides passernger side works with the cable release, drivers side use to work when i pulled the release handle under the dash and pushed down on the hoos, like a dummy i tightned the spring and nut it was loose now nada, its stuck on the drivers side, latch release cable relases but the hood feels like its bolted down...any ideas
Live well,
SJW
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,732
Likes: 5,613
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
This what I done!
Take coat hanger and grab the hook that you would hang it in closet, and take the coat hanger by the hook and crap the straight wire and pull.
Now make hook on the end, and lift the rubber seal with putty knife and slip it in to where you think the latch is and go fishing, you will feel when you got it and give it little pull and the latch will open.
I did this method on my C4, and friends when his cable broke.
Hope you know how to fish, cause it's like fishing and it works.
Take coat hanger and grab the hook that you would hang it in closet, and take the coat hanger by the hook and crap the straight wire and pull.
Now make hook on the end, and lift the rubber seal with putty knife and slip it in to where you think the latch is and go fishing, you will feel when you got it and give it little pull and the latch will open.
I did this method on my C4, and friends when his cable broke.
Hope you know how to fish, cause it's like fishing and it works.
Last edited by 1bdvet; Jul 21, 2016 at 02:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Likes: 19
From: las vegas nv
yeah i have the little emergency cables, and the one corner is still on lockdown...Gm engineering must have been in miami when they where desgining the hood set up...thinking of hood pins if i ever get it open, i am sure a mechanic will charge me alot of $$$
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Several of the aftermarket Corvette specialty stores sell an "L" shaped tool to help open stuck hoods. This tool slides in thru the door jamb area to pull on the release lever. If you are crafty, you can make your own. If you have a buddy with a C4, practice on his to see how this tool is supposed to work.
Some have had success by driving one front wheel of their Corvette up onto a curb, or jacking up one front wheel, to put a little twist on the hood. Good luck to you!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Likes: 19
From: las vegas nv
hood
I replace the small hood shocks in the front Lube the latches what new hood springs put them in that's when I started having issues but I would put the spring in by itself and I don't know hood and it popped right up
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
The best way I've found is to grease the cones of the latches, and to have the hood pins very clean. Block the latches open, so they won't snap closed on the hood pins. Set the hood down onto the latches, and look for where grease is transferred to the hood pins. Adjust the mounting plate of the hood pin until no grease is transferred to the pin. That's centering the pin in the latch!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Likes: 19
From: las vegas nv
hood
I replace the small hood shocks in the front Lube the latches , new hood springs, put them in that's when I started having issues but I would close it and it never ever just popped up when I pulled the dash latch, I used to have to push down on the driver side then pull up, no that doesn't even work
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Likes: 19
From: las vegas nv
Is that one sentence? I've read it ten times, but I don't think I understand what you're saying. I'm guessing you removed the mounting plates with the "dagger pins" in the hood. It's VERY important to get those pins aligned exactly to the center of the latches.
The best way I've found is to grease the cones of the latches, and to have the hood pins very clean. Block the latches open, so they won't snap closed on the hood pins. Set the hood down onto the latches, and look for where grease is transferred to the hood pins. Adjust the mounting plate of the hood pin until no grease is transferred to the pin. That's centering the pin in the latch!
The best way I've found is to grease the cones of the latches, and to have the hood pins very clean. Block the latches open, so they won't snap closed on the hood pins. Set the hood down onto the latches, and look for where grease is transferred to the hood pins. Adjust the mounting plate of the hood pin until no grease is transferred to the pin. That's centering the pin in the latch!