front trunk will not latch

Shuie · 11-30-2006, 10:49 AM

How do I adjust this? I used to just press it downward on the hood three times and it would magically latch closed on the third try every time. Now it wont latch closed at all. Do I need to remove the entire assembly from the bonnet or is there a way to adjust it while its in the car?

TIA

Early_S_Man · 11-30-2006, 11:15 AM

Many times, I have found that caked & dried grease is the primary reason for hood latching problems. So, before trying to find an 'adjustment solution' to a non-existant problem ...

I suggest cleaning the post and latch mechanism with Brakleen or similar solvent, until movement is free and easy ... then lubricate both with plenty of Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Grease with moly #985 or #986.

Carrera Charlie · Carrera Charlie's Garage

Early_S_Man,

Bingo! I just did this yesterday with my '69 when the hood refused to latch due to our cold weather here in Seattle. The dried and caked grease set up in the cold and would not let the latch return to its locking position.

Shuie, it could be temperature related like mine - see if it gets any easier with the car in a warm garage. If so, all the more reason to clean it and relubricate.

Cheers,

kilodawg · kilodawg's Garage

Shuie,

I'm having this same problem right now and I know lubrication is the fix but to get you past your immediate problem (of it not latching) try pushing in the handle you pull to unlatch the hood...prior to closing it.

That should re-seat the latch so it grabs. It works on mine.

luvndasun · 05-17-2007, 11:04 AM

Hi -
On my 72, I put my hood down and it latches. Then as soon as I hit a bump the hood latch pops open...luckily the safety catch has worked so far. I have made adjustments and bought a new bottom latch. Besides cleaning is there any thing else that could be causing this?
Thanks!

lespaul · lespaul's Garage

The latch is adjustable by loosening the nuts that hold it and moving it from side to side or back and forth. However, if you move it ----- BEWARE, you could lock it with a misadjustment. Ask me how I know. There are a ton of threads on stuck latches and, believe me, some folks have contemplated cutting a hole in their car with a torch or a saw to get to the stuck latch. In my case, after a lot of anxiety, I was able to free mine up when it was stuck. I used a thin piece of wood slipped under the hood to push the latch to the correct position. Others have driven their cars on a slanted hill to twist the body and pop the hood.

My 2 cents, if you choose to adjust it, take a good look at your set up and make very very small changes.

Brad

911pcars · 05-17-2007, 01:42 PM

Adjusting the latch to fully lock is a common adjustment issue.

Sometimes, it's the adjustment depth of the lock pin.

Moreoften, it's the cable adjustment. There is only one position that fully engages the lock pin. Look through the female side of the latch, then work the latch linkage back and forth and observe how the lock pawl mechanism moves into and out of the opening. If the cable adjustment is too short or too long, the lock pawl won't fully engage the pin.

Adjust the cable length so the mechanism is fully exposed in the opening at rest. In addition, lube moving parts so it can move freely.

Sherwood

group911@aol.co · 05-17-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lespaul
The latch is adjustable by loosening the nuts that hold it and moving it from side to side or back and forth. However, if you move it ----- BEWARE, you could lock it with a misadjustment. Ask me how I know. There are a ton of threads on stuck latches and, believe me, some folks have contemplated cutting a hole in their car with a torch or a saw to get to the stuck latch. In my case, after a lot of anxiety, I was able to free mine up when it was stuck. I used a thin piece of wood slipped under the hood to push the latch to the correct position. Others have driven their cars on a slanted hill to twist the body and pop the hood.

My 2 cents, if you choose to adjust it, take a good look at your set up and make very very small changes.

Brad

I usually get the midget down the street to get in the trunk with a flashlite and a wrench just in case I get it adjusted wrong and can't open it.
Obviously, I've messed it up before.

autovon · 05-18-2007, 04:49 AM

Just a suggestion, but you also could try adjusting the Decklid Rubber Bumper Stops (they are the same for the front and the back) so the trunklid rests deeper, thereby allowing the latch to engage easier. You can adjust the stops simply by turning them (righty tighty). My trunklid was really difficult to close when I first bought it, and after this adjustment, it closes on the first try now.

GMR911 · 05-18-2007, 06:58 PM

This started happening tp mine last year. Found that the handle in the cabin was out about 1/4 inch. I push it in and it stays locked. Is this a mis adjusted cable? Jerry

911pcars · 05-18-2007, 09:09 PM

"This started happening tp mine last year. Found that the handle in the cabin was out about 1/4 inch. I push it in and it stays locked. Is this a mis adjusted cable? "

Jerry,
Sounds like a cable or latch mechanism in need of lube. Try dry lube in the cable sheath and some chain lube in the latch parts.

Autovon,
The rubber bumpers are only there to make sure the lower corners of the deck lid are at the same level as the rear fenders. The lock mode depends on the the depth of the hood pin relative to the latch mechanism (see my note above). Adjust the cable and linkage to make sure the pin is fully captured by the latch mechanism.

Sherwood