Hood latch 1990 SE

[chrism]

(Apologies if this has already been addressed but I couldn't find it after a quick look...)

Newbie '...not sure if...' anxiety here but my rh hood latch seems a little too far rearward to enable the hood frame to retract downwards more fully, resulting in a rattle against the hood lid as well as a conscious pushing down to seat the hood lid over the hood:

_DSF0395a.jpg

I wonder if anyone 'in the know' can offer fix advice (to bend something back into shape?) or reassure me that 'they all do that'.

(aw...wouldn't it be sooo easy if there was a 'mucker' next door so's I could pop 'round for a quick butcher's... ?)

Thanks in anticipation

[FunElan]

There are 3 hex key bolts that enable you to move the hood latch forward and backward, for an easier/tighter clamp feel.

My hood lid certainly is a tight fit as well, I consciously push down when closing it, but there were some rubber pads installed on some cars towards the 'horn' ends of the hood lid that were supposed to dampen some of the vibration sounds. Not all cars have these installed. Mine has 1, with evidence that the other one fell off

[Simon_P]

Chris, Do you mean the stowage lid latch in relation to the roof bow?

[chrism]

Thanks FunElan but I feel it's the (lower on the pic) upright which supports the latch that seems out of place rather than the latch itself.

Simon_P, yes the roof bow seems to be prevented from lowering more fully by the (UK driver side) upright - unless the top of the upright is able to be pivoted more toward the front of the car somehow? (taking the latch with it...)

At the moment pushing down on the hood cover forces the hood bow down as far as that latch upright will let it. If it could go further down then the bow won't be able to rattle against the underside of the hood cover...the other side is of the bow at the top of the pic misses the upright, as you can see...

[FunElan]

Oh, I see what you're saying. My hood bar touches there too. Just thought it was normal. I can't just 'drop' the lid and expect it to close, it requires a good shove.

[chrism]

Yeah FunElan this is what was unsettling me.
Sad for you - but I'm happy that I'm not the only one. Perhaps others are suffering in the same way? (If we all have to suffer it then okay...)
If not, is there any cure? - Atm I'm laying a soft 'bubble-wrap' surface between the hood bar and the hood cover to stop any rattling. A bit of a 'bodge' eh?