Hey guys,
My factory hood on my 88 IROC closes on the passenger side before the driver side lowers. Has new hood hinges. I don't want it to scratch the paint. Should i lube the hood hinges to see if that helps? if so, what should i use? White lithium? Regular bearing grease? Any help appreciated. I just want both side of hood to lower at same time to shut properly.
THanks
ARA

 

Did you install new struts?


I think that's a chronic problem all these cars have.


That or it could be a hinge alignment issue too.

Regardless, I spray with white lithium in a can.

 

I'm an idiot. I meant to have typed i put new hood STRUTS on, NOT new hinges. So the struts are new, not the hinges - they are original. I figured white lithium would be ok. I will try tonight and see how it works. Thanks

 

I would clean the hinges really well. Then use graphite. I would not use grease at all. Not only will it get nasty it will also hold dirt in.

of yiu want some rust protection and want to use a oil/fluid would use sewing machine oil. It’s a very light oil or any light machine oil. Just a dab at the hinge pivot points let it work itself in the hinge.

my Trans am is doing the same thing. I cleaned the hinges and used graphite. The reason it hangs up is because the rust/wear is binding the hinge

 

the graphite will work too...I find it doesn't last very long though. I just squirt the canned LG and wipe up the extra and that lasts well.

 

yes I forgot to mention that graphite can be bought in an aerosol can and sprayed. I use that stuff also on key locks.

 

thanks guys. the issue i am having is the drivers side of the hood does not go down symetrically with passenger side. the drivers side stays higher than the passenger side as it's about 90% shut. This is causing the hood to shut unevenly. Was hoping the hinge was just binding up, but i lubed it and it hasn't helped.
Any other thoughts?
Thanks

 

one of your hinges is binding up. If lubing it doesn’t help much and it probably won’t if you didn’t clean the hinge itself. you have to disassemble the hinge or get a scrub brush and clean the old rust, paint, dirt and detritus that’s in the hinge pin/pivot points. . It could also be worn out in a specific wear pattern which may require replacement of the hinge.

swap the hood shocks from right to left. If the hood starts shutting uneven on the opposite side one of the hood shocks is stronger than the other.

 

thanks. that's a great idea. will try

 

I agree with Ford Guy, it could be worn.... i thin kHAWKS???? has new hinges...but aftermarket hinges from what I've seen on any car suck...used low mileage OE is best if you can.

Another thing is the hood / hinges may not be perfectly aligned... they can move on the hood and on the fender back and forth... if one side is more forward it will open first... alignment on these cars is a PITA without a helper....


my 89 did the same thing even with new struts and i found aligning it well really helped out...not perfect but it was way better...My hinges operate smooth (hood was off at one point) but I think they may just be worn at the pivots .....I replaced the fender and it got out of alignment so its all messed up again.................


be careful...messed up hinges and how it opens "crooked" can cause the hood to bend on these cars...... i remember that happening a lot when I opened hoods on cars in the junkyard.....

 

I hit mine with Free-All, which I think might be slightly superior to PB Blaster. Anyway, it's a penetrating oil and so probably the wrong thing but it did make a positive difference in the smoothness of my hood opening.

 

Pretty sure the factory lubed them with white lithium back in the day. I can see the old grease on mine, which is where I get that suspicion. Not even sure if my hood has issues, I always lower it with both hands and then press it shut with my palm - saw a guy do that when I was a kid to a GTO and always have done it ever since.

 

NO!!! Hood easily dents. Go down square with both hands and let It drop the last bit so it latches.

And you can always tell who has a sticky latch too because there's a little impression where they thump the hood.

 

I use some 3 n 1 oil or dirty oil from my last oil change (in a little hand pump) to lube the hood latch, hood, hatch and door hinges. Like to do that once or twice a year.
know the factory brushed on some lithium but this seems to get all up in there a bit better.

 

thanks guys. will give all the suggestions a try and let you know. Much appreciated

 

Absolutely... I can tell immediately how someone closes their hood by the palm dents above the latch area.
I've had to educate dozens of customers on correct hood closure upon delivering their car to them with a new freshly painted hood.

 

You simply have no idea who your dealing with.

 

 

eh, not bad. was thinking more along the lines of

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/d7ea114...9-d64111584825

 

Not really sure what that's supposed to mean...but, OK

 

a perfectionist from hell - trust me, my hood is still factory paint and just fine.

 

As cool as you're trying to make it sound, there is no reality where you can say those words and strut away like a badass.

 

Don't make me break out pics of my hood. I will do it!!!

 

I'm certain the car is nice, I was merely saying... That's a surefire way to damage a hood. Hopefully helping you to prevent damage in the future. It does also help that these are actually Detroit Steel, and have some meat to them...

 

I can't even breath on my aluminum hood without it wanting to bend. lol

 

I know its a pain, that's why I'm willing to take it off your hands free of charge.