Busted Bracket March 03, 2008, 11:27:44 AM Hello all, For a couple of drives I noticed a squeaking sound coming from the front. While the car was in the garage (changing my ler and tail pipe) I chased down that squeak; it sounded like it was coming from the grille. It wasn't, it's actually coming from the Secondary Hood Latch, that peice of metal located infront of the rad and behind the grille. What is this piece called? The bottom of the latch (where it bolts into under the rad) broke. The two upper bolts are fine and still held the bracket in but because the bottom broke, it was loose enough to rub against it's own bolt. The manuals don't seem to talk about it, and frankly I don't know where to look or even what to search for in an attempt to replace it. If I fail, I will have to re-design the secondary latch system before going down the road.Any ideas on a secondary design? Is my secondary hood latch actually called a secondary hood latch? Anybody know where I could find one?Thanks allCougarXLS Quote Selected
Busted Bracket Reply #1 – March 03, 2008, 12:27:18 PM The main hood latch is the metal bar that's bolted to the top underside of the hood. It catches in the hood latch mechanism that's bolted to the top of the radiator core support. That is the main (primary) hood latch.What you're talking about is indeed the secondary hood latch. It's there in case you forget to fully close the hood (primary latch) and start driving away. The 'hook' on the lever will hit the bracket you describe. At the very least it should prevent the hood from flying backwards and ruining your car (and blocking your vision). As long as the top two bolts are secure then your secondary latch system SHOULD be working properly.I've seen a lot of cars with the bottom bolt missing, or the bracket broken, just like you described. So you're saying that the tab on the bracket is broken off, but the bolt is there? It's not that difficult of a fix...there may be enough of the tab left where you could use a large washer to trap it with the bolt. Or you may have to rig up a small metal bracket for that area. Biggest pain is working in that area...not enough room. Quote Selected
Busted Bracket Reply #2 – March 03, 2008, 02:14:42 PM I think i jhave one of those brackets out in the garage.Mine broke on my blue Bird last year,and before I could replace it,I sped the car. Quote Selected
Busted Bracket Reply #3 – March 04, 2008, 10:02:20 AM Quote from: EricCoolCats;207448As long as the top two bolts are secure then your secondary latch system SHOULD be working properly.. Thank-you for confirming what I suspected.Quote from: EricCoolCats;207448 So you're saying that the tab on the bracket is broken off, but the bolt is there?Yep. A Large washer or a small little piece of sheet metal (still got some left after redoing my gas tank) will do the trick... but I confess, I will wait for warmer tempertatures. I'll take the chance for now with just the two top bolts.Thanks allCougarXLS Quote Selected
Busted Bracket Reply #4 – March 04, 2008, 09:04:07 PM get another at a junk yard, or if your adventurous, just a peice of metal. and get your tin snips and some self tapping sheet metal screws. It wouldn't be the best looking thing ever, but it would work. Quote Selected
Busted Bracket Reply #5 – March 05, 2008, 09:52:41 AM You read my mind, ever since I had to rebuild the mounts and straps for the gas tank... sheet metal is quickly becoming my new best friend. Quote Selected
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