Closing the clamshell


G

gtforme

GT Owner
Apr 12, 2009
348
Hi Guys

I have had my car for a few months now and everytime I drive the car I open the clambshell immediately after the drive to let the heat out

Where the problem comes is when I try to close the clamshell , when I push it down from the middle or either side it never seems to latch on both sides

I took it to the local Ford dealer and they said they have heard of this problem before and the owner of the dealership has had this problem with his own GT , they did not have a solution

I noticed in the engine compartment that the 2 latching locks are at different angles , does this have something to do with the way I should be closing the clambshell

It seems ridiculous to think that a car of this calliber should have a problem closing the hood

Any advise would be appreciated

Rob
 
You can adjust the closing bumpers up or down slightly. The '06's have springs on them. Do a search for plenty of pictures and explanations.
 
gtforme said:
Hi Guys

I have had my car for a few months now and everytime I drive the car I open the clambshell immediately after the drive to let the heat out

Where the problem comes is when I try to close the clamshell , when I push it down from the middle or either side it never seems to latch on both sides

I took it to the local Ford dealer and they said they have heard of this problem before and the owner of the dealership has had this problem with his own GT , they did not have a solution

I noticed in the engine compartment that the 2 latching locks are at different angles , does this have something to do with the way I should be closing the clambshell

It seems ridiculous to think that a car of this calliber should have a problem closing the hood

Any advise would be appreciated

Rob
Click to expand...

Rob

First of all make certain that you have the late style bump springs rather than fixed position bump stops. Assuming that you do then consider the following;

One of the ways that I tend to this issue is to adjust the clamshell bear-claw latches located on both sides; the bracket that they are secured within moves but offers little adjustment because in addition to being bolted it is also pop riveted in position however I have found that shimming in-between the bracket and the latch will correct this issue on most of the gals with this problem. I use 1/4" stainless steel AN washers.

Takes care

Shadowman
 
I have always closed by pressing firmly on the plastic strip rear of the leading metal edge on both sides of the center brake light until you hear it catch :thumbsup
 
clamshell help

Im sure you have resolved your problem by now however just in case your still working on this issue here is what helped my car when i had the same dilemma.
Please look closely at the picture where i have the screwdriver pointed.
When the factory made these hooks{latches, bear claws, ect} they were spotwelded together at the edge.
Mine was, for lack of better words, smashed together where the spot weld was causing the edge to protrude outward twards the front of the car. This gave it a bump right where i am pointing with the screwdriver that caused the clamshell to close very roughly and i had to slam it too hard to get it to shut.
I used a file to remove the bump and now my clamshell shuts smoothly with very little effort.
It really did make a night and day differance with just a few minute's of work with a file,

I held a shop vac right under the latch while fileing to catch the debris.

Hope this helps. Lorenzo :cheers
DSCN0486.jpg
 
Good tip Lorenzo!
 
Guys

Thanks for the help , I will try all of the above and hopefully it works out

Rob
 
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