Sorry is this should be in a specific category, I just need a quick answer.

My hood rubs on my passenger fender when I attempt to open it. The back piece of the the hood (closest to the passenger seat) rubs on the top most part of the front quarter panel. I have no idea how this happened. It wasn't like that when I bought it, and Ive been in no accident or any abuse to the car.

Is it common for this hinge to wear out? It's a 2003, maybe it got tight and too much pleasure bent it.

Anyways, I'm looking for replacement hinges. Is there any other option then special ordering them from the stealership. In the mean time, I have no means to get under my hood, and its time for an oil change.

Ahhh! Please help.


-Thanks

 

tried bending the hinge by hand yesterday, it helped a little and I can now open the hood carefully, but its still a long way from perfect.

I looked at the hinge closer and noticed that it connects to the frame with some sort of stud (something that I cant take off myself). Looks like I'll be paying out of the *** to have the stealership fix it.

any suggestions?

 

hinge usually doesnt wear out. bolts might have gotten loose, or you tweaked it when you lifted it up take off hood, and re-center... should help somewhat- the threaded portion itself is attached to the hood, not the hinge.

you'll need a hand from a friend since the hood, although is light enough for 1 person to carry, is kinda ackward to handle when only 1 bolt is in..

 

Doesn't sound like a hinge problem. Did you buy the car used? More than likely, you just need to loosen the nuts holding the hood to the hinges and just realign it.

 

is it that easy to realign it? Just take off the two nuts on each side and slide it over? By looking at it without taking it off, it didn't look adjustable. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice guys, It changes my whole approach on the problem.

PS good thing I barely bent the hinge. It was more out of desperation to get the hood to open then anything.