Open Road

*sigh* Gotta get the brake fluid replaced so took the 928 to a normal mechanic. Even showed the guy there how to open and close the hood.
Yeah. So I guess I could either weld it back together, or replace it. Haven't looked into the complexity, is this an engine out sort of thing or a "two bolts and done" sort of thing?

So, I don’t think that’s “your normal mechanic’s” fault. I can’t even imagine a way to cause that break in one shot that doesn’t leave the hood bent like a pretzel or at least leave big nasty marks. That is some sort of cumulative damage that just happened to let go when your mech-nic looked at it wrong.

There are only two hard parts to replacing the hinges:
- getting the hood aligned after; trial and error process
- R&R of the rear-most bolt on right-side hinge: HVAC blower is in the way.

Record how many shims are on each side of the hood.

It does take two people to do the final lift-off and lift-on.

ChrisZ wrote: ↑Sat Aug 17, 2024 1:36 pm *sigh* Gotta get the brake fluid replaced so took the 928 to a normal mechanic. Even showed the guy there how to open and close the hood.

IMG_1583.JPG

Yeah. So I guess I could either weld it back together, or replace it. Haven't looked into the complexity, is this an engine out sort of thing or a "two bolts and done" sort of thing?

looking at the picture, the pivot point just below the break looks very rusty, my guess would be its been seized / tight at that point for a while and its finally broken at the next weakest point in the hinge
you can get a lot of leverage into the hinges with the length of a 928 bonnet.
cheers
Phil

Get a replacement off FleaBay.
Last year I replaced one of mine that was always sticking no matter how much I greased it.

They're cheap enough.
Also lots for sale. These are just two examples.
That way only one side will need aligning

And left-side hinge is easy.

hessank wrote: ↑Sat Aug 17, 2024 5:18 pm Get a replacement off FleaBay.
Last year I replaced one of mine that was always sticking no matter how much I greased it.

They're cheap enough.
Also lots for sale. These are just two examples.
That way only one side will need aligning

Or get it used from Mark at 928 International, and know that it will be in decent shape to begin with or easily returned and replaced if there is an issue. Support our vendors!

It is a fairly easy job. While two people certainly helps, you can do it with one person. The hood is very light. Use some towels or blankets to protect the edges. For alignment, pay attention to the number of shims. Snug the bolts, so you can open and close the hood and nudge it into alignment. Verify fitment before tightening.

In case it can help, the video below shows a one-person hood removal and replacement.

^^^^ Excellent tutorial video, MFranke! Thank you for putting it together.

Neat! Well my kid and I went out today to swap out the hinge. Not too hard, got the old one out put the new one in (and set it at the "bottom" of the bolts) then put the shims back in and started the endless alignment project. Had to loosen the other side, it's good now but not *perfect". I'll have to watch a few videos on what movement at the hinges affects what but overall car is happier now.

Here are Stan's (MrMerlin) instructions on hood alignment from TOS. Maybe this will help:

first lube the hinges with PB blaster then relube them with long term hinge oil.
Make sure you have hood shocks on the front not hatch shocks,
as these can shear off the ball mounts and bend the hood.
Hood shocks are 35LBs the hatch shocks are 100 LB.
remove the hood latch.
leave the hood shocks off for now.
close the hood and notice where the hood lines up,
open the hood and loosen the hood hinge bolts on one side .

NOTE a helper to hold the hood up is a plus.

pry the rear edge of the hinge away from the hood to get max lift.
NOTE I use a wide blade screwdriver with a few layers of blue tape on the tip so the paint wont get scratched.
Snug the bolts.
make sure the all the edges are even with the hood closed .
Then go to the other side and adjust this hinge,
snug the bolts .
close the hood and observe your progress.

If you like what you see then attach the hood shocks.
test open close the hood,
if its good then install the hood latch with the nuts snug ,
so you can move the latch around.
Make sure the pin centers itself into the base then tighten the nuts and close /latch the hood

jschiller wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 10:58 am Here are Stan's (MrMerlin) instructions on hood alignment from TOS. Maybe this will help:

first lube the hinges with PB blaster then relube them with long term hinge oil.

(Hi on the dark side, jschiller )

What "long term hinge oil" is recommended? I tend to use white lithium grease. This appears to be a good thread on the topic:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threa ... rm.352302/

I would say any medium weight grease that won't run off in wet weather and won't dry out or run in hot weather will do. A thin coating of lithium wheel bearing grease sounds ideal to me. I try to avoid anything silicone-based around paintwork since it's so hard to remove.

Interesting. I left the new hinge in dip for several hours to get the old oil off, then put on Mercedes Benz green wheel bearing grease, worked it in, wiped it off, and it seems pretty happy. Glad I had some of it around from the front wheel bearing replacement.

Good data on the rest, thanks!

ChrisZ wrote: ↑Thu Sep 19, 2024 8:37 pm Interesting. I left the new hinge in dip for several hours to get the old oil off

Forgive my ignorance, all. "Dip" means a tobacco based product that comes in a small container to me (which was the source of my 99 year old grandma's propensity for spitting). Is this one of those old mechanic's tricks that I haven't learned yet, or something else entirely? (Edit: or Chris are you referring to letting it sit in PB Blaster?)

Edit 2: At the risk of revealing my ignorance, I really am serious with my question and am not trying to be a smart@ss! I am modifying a 928 hood and as part of that, I bought some used hinges from 928 International. I want to clean them up a bit before installing.

Dip is what is better known as a can of carburator cleaner. It used to be a lot stronger than it is now, but you can drop the item in the basket, put on the lid, and come back in a week to a cleaner part.

Ah, thank you! Like this!: