Hood Fasteners for High Performance Cars

Adjusting hood hinges can be a time-consuming process and require patience in some cases. The first step in adjustment is to open the hood and confirm all points of adjustment. These will include the hinge to hood bolts, the hinge to body bolts, hood bumpers / stoppers (which can thread in and out of the body or hood to limit how far down the hood can rest when closed at the front (or even the back in some cases), as well as the hood latch. When taking all of these points into consideration, also understand that you may need to elongate holes in order to allow the hood to move further than the unmodified holes will allow for any of the adjustment points. Next, determine which direction the hood has to go whether up, down, forwards, backwards, or to either side of the vehicle. Then loosen the bolts on the adjustment points that will allow the hood to move in the direction it needs to go. You may have to loosen more than one adjustment point in order to allow the hood to slide in the direction needed. Once the hood is lined up, snug up the bolts or nuts, confirm that it opens and closes properly, and check the gaps around the hood. Finally, do one last tightening of all bolts and nuts to lock the hood adjustment points in place.

When replacing hood hinges, first mark the exact position of the hinge to the hood with a wax pen or other marking utensil that will not harm the finish. Next, loosen the hood from the hood hinges. Then, with the help of another person, support each side of the hood and completely remove the bolts holding it to the hinges. The hood can then be safely set aside, out of the way. With the hood removed, mark the position of the hinges to the body in the same way as you marked the position of the hinges to the hood. The hinges can then be unbolted and removed from the body. The replacement hinges can be installed in the reverse order of the removal of the original hinges. Use the marks made to the body and hood to help line the hinges up in the same position. This will help with hood alignment. Once properly tightened, check the functioning of the hood hinges to make sure the hood opens and closes properly. If any adjustments need to be made, loosen the bolts required to allow the changes.

There are a couple ways on how to tell if hood hinges are defective. The first is to check for rust and corrosion that is large enough to weaken the hinge's ability to support the hood properly to the body. Minor rust and corrosion can be cleaned up and painted to lengthen service life. However, too much damage from moisture and the elements will require complete replacement. If the hood hinge is bent or damaged and cannot properly be repaired, it will also need to be replaced.

A JEGS expert is ready to answer your questions and help you find the hood hinges, hood fasteners (for example, quick-latch, torsion pin, scuff plate, hood hold down straps, etc.) and tools that you need to complete your next street, racing, or custom vehicle project.