hood latch adjustment

[eaker02]

ever since owning this 74 thing, I can shut the hood and it'll stay shut, but when I ride down the road, the hood will pop loose and the only thing holding it down is the safety latch.

Any ideas or tips what I may need to adjust to make the hood stay shut. I know the hood spring has a screw, but not sure if I need to mess with it or not.
any help would be appreciated.
thanks
ron

[Semper_Dad]

Sometimes it's the release cable not going back to position after opening the hood. It's a good idea to give it a push before shutting the lid. There's a spring that's suppose to do this but if the cable or sleeve is gunked up or kinked it may not have enough tension.

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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

[eaker02]

after looking at your picture of the cable, I see the clamp near the release handle. My clamp wasn't attached inside the glove box..
after pushing the clamp back in place and running a bolt through the clamp, I couldn't get the hood to release.
Had to take the bolt back out and pull the clamp forward in order to get the handle to release the hood. Doesn't make sense.

[Semper_Dad]

[eaker02]

yes, the hood shuts fully and can't pry it open, but as soon as I go down the road the hood will release. The safety latch is the only thing that keeps the hood shut.
didn't even think about a lock going through the holes.

ps. will post pics at some point. right now the Thing is three colors.. Original is white(under hood and trunk). someone then painted the whole inside Red, then another owner must have wanted a Acapulco Thing and painted the outside blue with white stripes.
ron

[Semper_Dad]

[Ferretkona]

That lock tab can twist and keep the latch open. Make sure it guides in where the holes line up.
I had to go thru and fix the sheetmetal tabs that hold the cable housing in place in the trunk. They weaken in time and if the housing is loose it can be a bear to open.
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74 181 Thing
2008 Ford Sport Trac V8 4x4
2008 Ford Escape V6

[eaker02]

thanks, but never put a bolt through the clamp until I saw your picture, then I tried putting the bolt through thinking a previous owner didn't finish something
no bolt through clamp. can shut hood fully and it stays shut. when I start driving hood comes unlatched.
I can shut again and the hood stays shut until I start driving again, then it comes loose again.
I will say that the clamp is outside the slot where you run the lock though in order to open the hood.
almost sounds like i need to pull the cable a little more at the latch in order for the clamp at the release handle to line up with the holes in the glove box?

thanks
ron

[Semper_Dad]

Here's what your hood latch looks like underneath.

Do you have this return spring?

You may want to release the cable/sheath from it's most forward retaining tab on the right side of the trunk (passenger's side). This should effectively lengthen the cable enough for your latch to close fully.
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

[eaker02]

There is a spring, but doesn't to be in the same location as yours.. will try to take a upside down pic tomorrow and upload.
Thank ya'll very much, very informative.

[Semper_Dad]

[eaker02]

Had to go ahead an post a pic. not sure if this uploaded correctly, first time on this forum

[/img]

[Semper_Dad]

[eaker02]

will do the rest in the morning. again thanks.

[fmartin_gila]

Went through the same thing yesterday with mine. Ensure that when you release the handle, after pulling it to open, that the little locker tab does go back into the slot. It can twist slightly off to the side and remain in a slightly pulled position.

Fred

[doublecanister]

Just remember one thing,

once you get the latch adjusted, make sure if the pull cable and the set screw are tight and put a 'bend or catch after the set screw, just dont break the cable.
Remember, if the cable were to slip, you wont be able to open the trunk.

My cable had a few bends in it so it wouldnt pull thru in case of set screw slippage.

OF COURSE, in the process of mucking with it, guess what I did!?!

Locked myself out of the Trunk and had to resort to pulling the phillip screws on the hinges. NOT GOOD if you got pretty paint!

Worked out for the better though, had some rust beginnings under the latches, got that fixed and thank goodness for touchup paint!

Just a word of caution from someone who went there and freaked out for a bit.

good luck with the adjustments!

T
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2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[BJT]

Anyone know the best way to get the hood open when the pull handle isn’t disengaging then latch?

[Ron Domeck]

Take the big screws off at the hinge and move hood until you can get to the latch.

[Captain Spalding]

[BJT]

Thanks Captain,

Had to drag the wife into the garage to help out. Got it open cleaned it up and seems to be working now. Not perfect but doesn’t get stuck anymore.