QuestionYeah, you're right, the latch is a bit off. It's the kind where there's a 'U' shaped bar coming off the hood and a bar with a lip that it clips to, which has a spring on it's anchor. I couldn't really see how to adjust that. As far as the 2x4 treatment, that sounds like good advice. Can I leave the hood on the car to do that? On the one side, where it is slightly high in the front, would I put the piece of wood on top of the hood edge? Not sure I'm picturing that right. On the other side, although a much smaller section, the hood needs to come up a tiny bit in the front to line up (opposite of other side). Thanks.
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Sorry, I was trying to keep it short. It is the front hood. The hood is slightly too high where it meets the fender on one side. Someone told me there a screw on there you can adjust up or down or something like that. I have not had any luck just yet getting that to work. I can live with it, but it would be nice to have it a little closer of a fit. tx again
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I put a pretty big dent in the hood and got a price of $600 or so to fix itbut since the car has 130k, I decided to just buy one at a local junkyard for about the same price, but the right color and paint in pretty good shape. All is well, but after getting it on the car, I noticed the seam against the fender is slightly off on one side (about 1/2" too high). Is there a way to adjust this? I know it's kind of par for the course and maybe the replacement is slightly warped or something. Just need the advice of someone who has a clue what can be done. tx man!
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front or rear of hood? Is hood too high at fender, or the gap too wide? Your details are too vague. Bill
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Much better, James! The hood latch needs adjusted down, as well as the hood bumper. If the hood seems a little floppy at the front edge, the latch is definitely the problem. Adjusting the latch assembly down, or the hood pin in if its a pin type, will do the trick. Pin types have a pin with a spring wound around it, screwed into the hood. I don't remember what a Corolla has. If the latch has no adjustment, ream the holes in the latch bigger. It's pretty rudimentary, once you really look at it. The hood may be possibly warped, that will be obvious if the hood rests on one hood bumper, but sticks up on the opposite side without being latched. You can CAREFULLY bend the hood by standing a short piece of 2x4 on one side of the front edge of the hood, and applying downward pressure on the opposite side. GO EASY ON IT, CHECK YOUR PROGRESS OFTEN!!! It should take 6 or 8 tries to get it right. Good luck! Bill
AnswerThe U bar doesn't adjust, the hood lock does. loosen the bolts attaching it to the radiator support, and slide it down. If it won't go down any further, make the holes in the lock bigger. Yes, leave the hood on- stand a 1 foot long piece of 2x4 under one side of the hood, like you are propping the hood open with it. Apply downward pressure on the other side. This will tweak the hood, but once again, use great care, and don't get carried away. Bill
