Closing the hood

[Redline]

Just curious, but what is the normal procedure for closing and latching the hood (bonnet)? Should it latch with just a firm push on the hood? I need to really drop the hood of my Coupe from about 12" up to get it to latch. If this is not normal, should I reposition the latch, or bend the rod that engages the latch?

[mdrburchette]

I usually gently close the hood of my 72 Spider and get it to latch by pressing the hood over where the latch is with my open palm.

[TulsaSpider]

You may get quite a variety of responses to this one! I drop mine from about 6 inches I'd say

[kmead]

My 124 Sport Coupe needs a drop to work best. My 850 Sport Coupe prefers to be pressed down to latch. They both have different mechanisms which probably explains the difference.

[MNspiderman]

Stick with the drop method. 6 to 16 is normal. I would tend to think if you lower it and push manually that eventually you might put a dent in it from pushing. Don't take the phrase Italian Stallion to seriously when it comes to Italian sheet metal strength.

[Redline]

Thanks. I'll keep on dropping it. Just wish it didn't rattle those little grilles so much...

[DUCeditor]

Been dropping mine without harm for the 22 years she's owned me.

-don

[MNspiderman]

Just remember that the sound of a slamming hood means mission accomplished, for today anyway.

[Schnauzer]

Those "little grills" in the cowl valence have adjustable rubber stoppers against them. Perhaps if you increased the tension a little bit your fears would be reduced. The unfortunate thing is that the valence has to be removed to adjust them.

[ITA124]

You can remove the secondary spring that keeps the bonnet propped up to open. Then your bonnet will close at very low height drops. The only problem with this is that when you 'pop' the bonnet open with the leaver, it doesn't sit high enough to get your fingers under the lip to lift.