Somethings wrong with my hood latch

[Creeps228]

After the accident, my hood latch is acting funny, Im not sure the the front of the car was pushed in slightly because it looks like most of the impact was on the bumper absorber and reinforcer, but the hood closes fine except when i want to open it, it doesn't pop up like before. I'll eitehr have to shove a ball of paper to hold the latch ( inside the car ) open until i go out and left it up. Otherwise, i can pull the latch within he car adn the hood remains closed. Also i've noticed that the hood in slightly higher on the drivers side than passengers side which is aligned with the body panel of the car. Any suggestions, i tried searching but there's no help it either says get a new latch or hood pins, but the latch is working since the hood remains closed but when i open it the latch ( inside the car to opedn the hood ) has to remain pulled so i cna left the hood up.

[bigbird]

sounds like the rad support is bent. most likly its bent foward so it not releasing the hood right. either fix or replace the support. its pretty flimsy where the latch is mounted so it should be to hard to bend back.

[Kep]

It is probably out of alignment. You might try to spray some lubricant (I used that white lithium grease spray) around the latch. It might work until you get it lined back up. When my 90 Camry did that (age not alignment) I was able to rap it on the back edge by the windshield wipers after I pulled the handle and the hood popped right up. Then I tried the lube and it worked just fine...

Kep

[Creeps228]

So would i have to remove the bumper again?

But how can it be not aligned when everything looks to be intack?

[bigbird]

just cuz it looks intact dont mean it is. somthing must be wrong with either the hood, hood latch loop, rad support or the latch itself.

[moocow]

I rear ended someone a couple years back. Since then my hood has never been the same. I got it banged out so its straightened again, but the hood release lever never gives that "click" that opens the hood. I have to stick a beer bottle opener under the hood release and then go to the front of the car and lift the hood up. Totally ghetto man

[Creeps228]

well ima see what i can do on thursday when i drop the car off for repair

[ghettosled]

Originally Posted by moocow

I rear ended someone a couple years back. Since then my hood has never been the same. I got it banged out so its straightened again, but the hood release lever never gives that "click" that opens the hood. I have to stick a beer bottle opener under the hood release and then go to the front of the car and lift the hood up. Totally ghetto man

"why no officer, i wasnt drinking. that beer bottle is a tool i use to open the hood on my car..."

[Kep]

I don't see why you would need to remove the bumper. If it is visually close to alignment you should be able to fuss with the latch and the latch loop to get them out of a bind. Do try the lube first. It is simple. That may be all you need.

Kep

[Sniperdude]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

"why no officer, i wasnt drinking. that beer bottle is a tool i use to open the hood on my car..."

I think I've used that line before. Doesn't work.

[nevanerviss]

Originally Posted by bigbird

just cuz it looks intact dont mean it is. somthing must be wrong with either the hood, hood latch loop, rad support or the latch itself.

[threadjack] How difficult is that to change? The upper rad support, I mean? [/threadjack]

[Creeps228]

no problem nevanerviss

umm there was nothing, nothing was bent, one of my neighbors works for a body shop for german cars, he said all that the latch need was some lubrication and the hodd was sort of bent so we rebetn it into shape you can say now it opens normally thanks fo reveryone who help and nevanerviss hopefully some answers you question