Hood Removal and Replacement
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm swapping a hood with bad paint for one with decent paint. How long should it take, and am I nuts to attempt it on my own? Can a single person do a decent alignment?
Any gotchas regarding hoses, electrical connections?
And has anyone been able to reuse any of the rubber, such as the stops? I figure I'll get new ones unless I hear otherwise.
Thanks,
Matt
Any gotchas regarding hoses, electrical connections?
And has anyone been able to reuse any of the rubber, such as the stops? I figure I'll get new ones unless I hear otherwise.
Thanks,
Matt
#2
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Banished to the SBC Wastelands
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Takes me 10 minutes tops to take of the hood by myself. Stock hood is about 15 pounds total, very light. Just 4 bolts, washer line and wire connector for hood light.
If you take some white out to mark the outline of the hinge plats on the old hood, you can use it as a guide to set the new one. Then just fine tune.
If you take some white out to mark the outline of the hinge plats on the old hood, you can use it as a guide to set the new one. Then just fine tune.
#3
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If doing it by yourself go very slow when loosening the bolts and put a cushion (blanket or such) between the windshield/ front fenders and the rear of the open hood.
I did it once by myself (the removal) but used up some brownie points with the wife for the install..........so much easier if you have a helping pair of hands.
I did it once by myself (the removal) but used up some brownie points with the wife for the install..........so much easier if you have a helping pair of hands.
#4
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Banished to the SBC Wastelands
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you remove both back bolts first. Barely loosen the front two bolts. You can then lower the front of the hood back down to rest on the front of the car with out catching the latch. Then push down the back , compressing the hinge, until you can just barely get your wratchet in to the bolt. No chance of hood sliping around. When both front bolts are off, push back of hood the rest of the way down. Grab front of the hood on the sides about 18 inches down and lift off hood. It's really that easy. Putting back on just go in reverse.
#5
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Silly as it sounds ive used paint stir sticks in the gaps along the hood line. Helps get it aligned at all corners a bit.
Also remove the hood latch so you dont have to keep running in and popping the hood. Do all the alignment with the hood shocks off and the attachment bolts just snug enough where you can still "jimmy" the hood around and adjust its fit.
Once you get it where you like it...slowly lift it...have some one hold it and then TQ down the bolts on the attachement points. Install the hood latch and the hood shocks. DO NOT USE REAR HATCH SHOCKS...even old used ones.
Also remove the hood latch so you dont have to keep running in and popping the hood. Do all the alignment with the hood shocks off and the attachment bolts just snug enough where you can still "jimmy" the hood around and adjust its fit.
Once you get it where you like it...slowly lift it...have some one hold it and then TQ down the bolts on the attachement points. Install the hood latch and the hood shocks. DO NOT USE REAR HATCH SHOCKS...even old used ones.