Hood hinge issues and solutions

[Mojoe9955]

Some how or another my driver side hood hinge has issues. It work but will no longer allow the hood to fully close due to some flexibility caused by the spring washers that hold the hinge tension spring to the body.
I may have read here or elsewhere that they might be replaced with a washer and cotter pin thru the posts to hold the hinge/spring assembly more securely.
to the body. I'm thinking of on the spring as well as it seems to want to "walk off" as I try to close the hood.

 

[Kendog 170]

I'm wondering if your hood arms are bowing out when closing and pushing the spring outward of well. Just a thought. I'm sure you could pin the spring end shaft as well.

 

[Mojoe9955]

That is more or less what is happening. It's hard to believe how flimsy that whole setup is. I was also thinking of threading the post leaving a bit of a shoulder and securing the mechanism using a washer and nylock nut to hold in position but still allow it to pivot as well.

 

[Dart Frog]

It's a lightweight set up but mine has worked properly for decades. It sure beats the hell out of some stupid rod that holds everything up that people seem to accept.

 

[Mojoe9955]

It seems to have been possibly bent and cobbled together previously by someone. After trying to keep the spring from "walking" with a washer and cotter pin, when trying to close the hood the arms bent and seem to be beyond repair. Time to look for something "new".
Thanks

 

[70dart340]

It's a lightweight set up but mine has worked properly for decades. It sure beats the hell out of some stupid rod that holds everything up that people seem to accept.

My 2017 Mustang convertible had a Chevette prop rod. That was the first thing I replaced. An expensive, classy car held up by a coat hanger? Not in my garage.

 

[Dart Frog]

My 2017 Mustang convertible had a Chevette prop rod. That was the first thing I replaced. An expensive, classy car held up by a coat hanger? Not in my garage.

LOL.. my sentiments exactly!

 

[Mojoe9955]

When trying to close the hood I now recall loud creaking and having to favor more pressure on the driver side when closing the hood. Looking at the parts now, I see the rusty spring which made be the reason for this. I have a post in the parts wanted section for a replacement. In the meantime I'm going to try to clean and lube the spring, straighten the arms and see if I can get it to work.

 

[Andy Willy]

I just copied cuda ragtop, might have 50 bucks in it and works great

 

[Mojoe9955]

Hmmmm... I was wondering what everyone was talking about "prop rods"
That looks like a good idea.

 

[Kendog 170]

Here's some hinge talk. Pic above is at post#50.
Hood hinge repair or replacement

 

[Mojoe9955]

Thanks everyone for your input and guidance. I thought another stock hinge was the answer and I briefly consider a hydraulic prop rod, but wasn't interested in fabbing it to fit and having one side stock and the other modified, nor was I into making them both the same. Most of the problem was the rusty spring, so I soaked it in some Metal Rescue for a couple days which helped, then I put in the vise sprayed it with PB alternating with brake cleaner to wash the rust away while working it with a piece of pipe on the arm. I did the same with WD a couple times. After a good does of litithium spray, I worked the arms back into shape, bolted everything back together using a nylon washer between the arm's and a nylock nut to snug it up. I also used a washer and cotter pin to keep the spring from wanting to walk off and it's working great now. I hope it stays that way.
Thanks again