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| Can't open the hood! | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 6 2014, 10:41 AM (1,278 Views) | |
| davidn | Apr 6 2014, 10:41 AM Post #1 |
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Fresh Fish
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I have a 91 Metro hatch & the hood latch handle broke. I've pulled on the cable but latch won't open. The previous week when I could open the hood I pulled the latch off & put it back on then took the handle apart so if I found one in a recycle yard I'd know how to get everything apart & would have the correct tools. I must have put the front latch back a little crooked? as it won't open now. Can the front bumper come off with OUT opening the hood? Appreciate any help. |
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| Bad Bent | Apr 6 2014, 12:23 PM Post #2 |
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Facetious Educated Donkey
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Welcome to the forum, davidn. I split this off another thread. It will get more "hits" here. I would try pressing down on the hood while someone pulls on the latch.
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| perfesser | Apr 6 2014, 01:30 PM Post #3 |
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Elite Member - Former Metro owner
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To get the bumper off, you need to remove the headlight trim, as it sits over several screws that have to come out. It's also gonna be devilishly difficult to get the screws at the ends of the bumper by the wheels if you can't snake your arm in there. Try going straight up from below to work on the latch bolts from behind the bumper. Lots easier if you don't have AC. |
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| geogonfa | Apr 6 2014, 01:41 PM Post #4 |
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Welcome to the Fun...just my $.02...Best way to to do this is reach up behind the bumper, in between the bumper and the radiator, use a very stiff rod (like maybe an old used inside door lock rod) with an short 90 degree bend and push on the release lever...
Edited by geogonfa, Apr 6 2014, 01:42 PM.
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| Spidermoore | May 6 2014, 12:54 AM Post #5 |
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Member
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I ran into this a while back. Here is what I did. 1. Use screwdriver about 4 inches long (not including the handle) but fairly small diameter 2. Use Trouble light of some sort. 3. With right hand, shine light through the space between the bumper and the hood at the centre 4. With left hand, a little bit over to the passenger side, reach up from the opening in the lower bumper cover with the screwdriver, find the lowest gap between the pillar and the latch mechanism that is bolted onto it. 5. Slide the screwdriver exactly parallel with the bumper through that gap. You should be able to press towards the drivers side, the mechanism that the cable usually pulls towards the drivers side. Originally posted http://teamswift.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=37394 |
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| Mythstae | May 6 2014, 01:01 AM Post #6 |
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Your location says West Coast. Care to be more specific? If you happen to be near me, I might be willing to meet up and scratch my head at the problem for a few minutes, if you wanted the help... And if you're not near me, other members would probably say the same... |
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| Old Man | May 6 2014, 01:12 AM Post #7 |
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I just don't understand people who don't tell us what engine they have, what tranny they have and where they live--it all fits so neatly in the signature area. Makes you wonder what they have to hide |
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| Mythstae | May 6 2014, 01:24 AM Post #8 |
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To be fair, having thousands of strangers know where you live is a kind of nerve-wracking concept; it's part of why my location is fairly vague. I do comment frequently on how I am near Portland, though. But anyways, I don't think it's about having anything to hide, exactly. Just... being cautious on the internet. Which is good. |
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| Richard123vmt | May 11 2014, 06:52 PM Post #9 |
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I do. I do have something to hide. So there! |
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| exo | May 15 2014, 10:24 PM Post #10 |
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Member
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As Bent said, have a buddy pull the cable and hold it out while you wiggle the front of the hood up and down and maybe even left to right as much as possible. You may have to get a littly manly with it. When you get it open, back off your latch bolts to the point they are pretty snug but you can still move the latch by tapping it with a small light hammer. Ease the hood down and pay attention to how the loop on the bottom of the hood is aligned with the latch. Tap the latch lightly left or right to get them aligned- now you are good to go L vs R. Once they are aligned well, tighten the bolts. Raise the hood about 10-12 inches, and just let go of it. If it doesnt latch all the way, your latch is prolly to low. Raise it slightly straight up a fraction at a time until it latches easily with the 12' drop. If it does latch easily on the first try, make sure the latch isn't to high by trying to move the hood up and down after it is latched. If you feel play, the latch is too high, lower it slightly and try again. This is a good time to grease the latch. Hope this helps. Never push down on the hood to latch it. If you pay attention to other cars' hoods the next time you are in a parking lot, you'll be surprised to see how many of them have shallow dents right in the middle of the hood over the latch. Edited by exo, May 15 2014, 10:26 PM.
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