I've done that to my 84 since new.
Should the C4 Hood drop closed or ...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Should the C4 Hood drop closed or ...
should it be shut closed. I know the little gas springs are sure to be depleted in my 1986.
How did the C4 hood shut when it was new?
How did the C4 hood shut when it was new?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I replaced my hood assist struts a couple of years ago, the hood stays open and I actually have to pull the hood down a bit to close it.
Is so much easier to lift the hood up now, those two small assist struts really help a lot.
I still "drop" the hood from around a foot high from the closed position,
has made a world of difference.
I have seen some late c4's hood that actually spring open when the latch is released, that large gas strut works great.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Hi
I replaced my hood assist struts a couple of years ago, the hood stays open and I actually have to pull the hood down a bit to close it.
Is so much easier to lift the hood up now, those two small assist struts really help a lot.
I still "drop" the hood from around a foot high from the closed position,
has made a world of difference.
I have seen some late c4's hood that actually spring open when the latch is released, that large gas strut works great.
I replaced my hood assist struts a couple of years ago, the hood stays open and I actually have to pull the hood down a bit to close it.
Is so much easier to lift the hood up now, those two small assist struts really help a lot.
I still "drop" the hood from around a foot high from the closed position,
has made a world of difference.
I have seen some late c4's hood that actually spring open when the latch is released, that large gas strut works great.
Thanks -- I'll be looking for some new ones.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 1,055
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '16
Never drop mine, Have always pushed it down to lock. I use the palm of my hand over the latch. been doing this sense 84 never any issues.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,061
Likes: 214
From: Epping NH
Not sure about other years, but per the 96 Owners Manual page 6-9:
"...release the hood strut by moving it to the centered position and lowering the hood. Lower the hood until the bottom of the hood is the same height as the top of the windshield, then release it. "
I do admit I still remembering holding my breath the first time i did it that way back in 1997, didn't seem right, but since then it's the only way I shut my hood.
"...release the hood strut by moving it to the centered position and lowering the hood. Lower the hood until the bottom of the hood is the same height as the top of the windshield, then release it. "
I do admit I still remembering holding my breath the first time i did it that way back in 1997, didn't seem right, but since then it's the only way I shut my hood.
Last edited by bac22; Apr 27, 2017 at 02:22 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
LOL ..... do you use white cotton gloves too ...
just drop that hood, she wont mind a bit.
Have been dropping my hood from around 6 to 8 inches from closed for the 20+ years I have had my c4, no issues at all.
Last edited by gerardvg; Apr 27, 2017 at 10:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 294
Likes: 40
From: Massachusetts
Pushing down on each side doesn't seem to hurt anything. Previous owner did that because it was out of alignment. I re-aligned the springs and now it will close from a drop distance of about 6-8 inches. It's much easier to close this way.
Also make sure when you open it all the way the rod locks correctly. I've had the hood open and didn't make sure the hood rod locked. Wind blew the hood shut while I was sitting in it. It was pretty violent. Could have been a really bad day but luckily everything was ok.
Also make sure when you open it all the way the rod locks correctly. I've had the hood open and didn't make sure the hood rod locked. Wind blew the hood shut while I was sitting in it. It was pretty violent. Could have been a really bad day but luckily everything was ok.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 81
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Drop from about 6" ... that's how the previous owner demonstrated so that's how I have been doing it for the 2 yrs that I have owned it. No issues, guess I didn't know there were even struts on the 85. I'll have to look this weekend.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 805
Likes: 11
From: Hickory Flat Ga
I slam my clam from just below the wibdshield frame. I seem to recall the manup suggesting this mrthod. Palm pushing sometimes doesn't latch.The new strut makes all the difference in handling that monster.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 294
Likes: 40
From: Massachusetts
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 321
Likes: 110
From: Columbus OHIO
have always dropped my clamshell hoods, never a problem. 6-8 inches, both latches catch. You just need to find the correct distance to get both sides to actually latch. It doesn't hurt it at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 73
They seem to work just fine. Hood is much easier to handle with a set of struts that actually work. My car still had the pair it was born with in 1984.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 111
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I bought some Stabilus for my Ford wagon, and they wont lift the tailgate up when the temp gets below about 25, so I was a bit disappointed with those.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
FWIW,
I've many different stories about the effectiveness of those two little struts with that heavy azz hood.
I found replacement struts had no effect on the hood assist. Some need to pull the hood closed others have the hood popup open.
My experience has been that those two little jobs had no effect.
Must have bought the wrong PN........
I've many different stories about the effectiveness of those two little struts with that heavy azz hood.
I found replacement struts had no effect on the hood assist. Some need to pull the hood closed others have the hood popup open.
My experience has been that those two little jobs had no effect.
Must have bought the wrong PN........