- Jan 25, 2007
- 89
Does everyones hood have to be slammed to get it to latch right? Im thinking mine needs adjusting since it doesnt lock down easy. Also, is it ok to drive the car with the plastic storage unit removed? Thanks...
Front hood latching...
- Thread starter gbvetracer
- Start date
- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
Mine closes fine however I recall reading sometime ago that if the liner had been removed for batery service or ?? and not properly reinstalled it had a tendency to cause issues when closing the bonnet.
You might do a search for the topic.
All the best
Shadowman
The trick is where you press down when closing. Do not press at the top, meaning the part nearest the windshield.
Look at where the latch is, by the scoop, and use that as the point where you press down. It will solve the latching problem. Also be firm when pressing down. Do not try a light touch.
Dave
Look at where the latch is, by the scoop, and use that as the point where you press down. It will solve the latching problem. Also be firm when pressing down. Do not try a light touch.
Dave
pe2unia
GT
I too have to give a lot of force to get it to close the first time. I have taken the liner out and reinstalled with no luck. Not sure if an ajustment can be made. Maybe one of the techs on the forum can give us some insite?
I had to adjust both my front hood and rear clamshell latches after a week of ownership (new car and reopening many times showing my friends!!). The front involves removing the inner tray and adjusting the receiver to line up with the closing peg from the hood. My rear latches were never tightened adequately from the factory.
everetto
GT Owner
Very easy to adjust - 3 bolts on the latch assembly. I recently found my bonnet was closing "too easily" and when latched it had a lot of vertical movement, so I spent some time adjusting it to perfection! .....then I realized that was with the inner liner removed - DOH! With the liner in place I could not latch it, so I had to readjust it.
GT Tech
Ford GT Team Alumni
Hood adjustment
GBV
Making adjustments on the GT is one of the biggest pains in the butt I know of. I filled in for the guy who fit the cars if he had time off. I hated that job.
The front hood was the worst. There are three different points that can be adjusted, and all have to be perfect to get a good closing effort, and keep the alignment right. It would take pages to try and explain how to do it. If you are planning to attend some of the forum functions coming up, maybe we can get together and I'll tweek it for you. As Barondw said in the other post, push down only where the latch is. Thats real important.
:thumbsup
GBV
Making adjustments on the GT is one of the biggest pains in the butt I know of. I filled in for the guy who fit the cars if he had time off. I hated that job.
The front hood was the worst. There are three different points that can be adjusted, and all have to be perfect to get a good closing effort, and keep the alignment right. It would take pages to try and explain how to do it. If you are planning to attend some of the forum functions coming up, maybe we can get together and I'll tweek it for you. As Barondw said in the other post, push down only where the latch is. Thats real important.
:thumbsup
I guess I was lucky. Last weekend I adjusted a customer's car to correct the exact symptoms you described. With the liner in place, I loosened the three 10mm bolts holding the latch mechanism in place. With a good light, you can plainly see the marks from the washers so you will know the starting position. I "walked" the latch mechanism up approximately 1/8" and re-tightened the adjusting bolts back down making sure that each bolt head had moved the same amount. The adjustment worked perfectly and, when closed, all of the gaps looked very good.
GT Tech
Ford GT Team Alumni
Good man Nota.
Some times thats all it takes. Just a minor tweek on the latch. As long as you adjust the stops afterward. It gets real tricky if you have to move the hinges at all. :thumbsup
Some times thats all it takes. Just a minor tweek on the latch. As long as you adjust the stops afterward. It gets real tricky if you have to move the hinges at all. :thumbsup
Roger Vincent
GT Owner
Hood alignment and hood closing
GT Tech said:
"GBV
Making adjustments on the GT is one of the biggest pains in the butt I know of. I filled in for the guy who fit the cars if he had time off. I hated that job.
The front hood was the worst. There are three different points that can be adjusted, and all have to be perfect to get a good closing effort, and keep the alignment right. It would take pages to try and explain how to do it. If you are planning to attend some of the forum functions coming up, maybe we can get together and I'll tweek it for you. As Barondw said in the other post, push down only where the latch is. Thats real important."
GT Tech, I understand your frustration on the adjustment and am glad I didn't have to do it everyday. I worked on mine at the hinge point trying to get better alignment with the hood and the fenders from the vertical and horizontal planes. I removed the latch first, then turned the hood stops low, then adjusted at the hinges. It's still not as it should be; it's a trade-off. Either the stripes don't align, or the end tips of the hood are not flush with the fenders. My conclusion? Either the fenders are not parallel or the hood isn't or both. So, it's the best it can be, BUT the hood closes easily and I have learned to live with the "non-flush" fit of the hood and fenders. It's not off by much, but no self respecting Toyota team member would pass it as it is on one of their lines (I was just at the Toyota plant in Georgetown last week.). (Not slamming you here; it's just the "custom nature" of the car I guess!) But it doesn't matter, just look at the car. It's still beautiful.
GT Tech said:
"GBV
Making adjustments on the GT is one of the biggest pains in the butt I know of. I filled in for the guy who fit the cars if he had time off. I hated that job.
The front hood was the worst. There are three different points that can be adjusted, and all have to be perfect to get a good closing effort, and keep the alignment right. It would take pages to try and explain how to do it. If you are planning to attend some of the forum functions coming up, maybe we can get together and I'll tweek it for you. As Barondw said in the other post, push down only where the latch is. Thats real important."
GT Tech, I understand your frustration on the adjustment and am glad I didn't have to do it everyday. I worked on mine at the hinge point trying to get better alignment with the hood and the fenders from the vertical and horizontal planes. I removed the latch first, then turned the hood stops low, then adjusted at the hinges. It's still not as it should be; it's a trade-off. Either the stripes don't align, or the end tips of the hood are not flush with the fenders. My conclusion? Either the fenders are not parallel or the hood isn't or both. So, it's the best it can be, BUT the hood closes easily and I have learned to live with the "non-flush" fit of the hood and fenders. It's not off by much, but no self respecting Toyota team member would pass it as it is on one of their lines (I was just at the Toyota plant in Georgetown last week.). (Not slamming you here; it's just the "custom nature" of the car I guess!) But it doesn't matter, just look at the car. It's still beautiful.
Last edited:
Kingman
GT Owner
Hood alignment and hood closing
According to the Ford GT Owners 'Highlights' DVD, the hood is the only fiberglass piece on the car and in the 'Operating Procedures' section, they say "don't be afraid to be forceful" when closing it.
According to the Ford GT Owners 'Highlights' DVD, the hood is the only fiberglass piece on the car and in the 'Operating Procedures' section, they say "don't be afraid to be forceful" when closing it.
Roger Vincent
GT Owner
Roger
There is a difference between a slam and being forceful. Being forceful is what it takes and is not a problem. But push from the point where it latches.
Dave
There is a difference between a slam and being forceful. Being forceful is what it takes and is not a problem. But push from the point where it latches.
Dave
- Jan 25, 2007
- 89
SO, are you guys saying you shouldnt EVER drive the car WITHOUT the inner compartment installed? I didnt realize it helped the hood seal...so maybe thats important to ALWAYS keep the inner compartment installed so as to keep the hood tight...