Hood and trunk a real pain to close...

[Fiat88]

Anyone else have to press down really hard to shut their hood and trunk? I gotta literally sit on the trunk lid sometimes. Tried some lithium grease and graphite but still no go. Ideas?

[azygoustoyou]

Don't put so many bodies in there at a time.

[mdrburchette]

Did you replace the weatherstrip? Mine has been hard to close since I installed new weatherstrip 15 years ago.

[Fiat88]

Don't put so many bodies in there at a time.

I try not to, don't want to dirty the new carpeting.

Did you replace the weatherstrip? Mine has been hard to close since I installed new weatherstrip 15 years ago.

No but maybe the PO did.

[RJ80]

I have the same problem with my trunk latch only. Been like that since I bought the car, and tough enough to close that there's now a nice depression in the trunk from where I have to slam it closed. I figure there's got to be some kind of latch adjustment to fix this? Is there a way to adjust the latch upwards?

[mbouse]

yes, the latch is held on the body by two studs in eliptical holes stamped into the latch body. there is about 5mm or so of adjustment up and down available. grab a 10mm wrench and loosen those two nuts.

the same latch is used for the hood and the trunk.

the mating plate on the hood or trunk lid is not adjustable.

[manoa matt]

Have you guys tried removing them, cleaning them, and re-lube them? Also check that all the springs are there and not broken or fatigued.

Fiat88, considering you have a later year car with the self supporting hood and trunk you should not have any problems closing either. With the later cars you can give the hood or trunk a gentle push from the open position and the hood falls gently and latches itself. With the early cars you have to manually lower the hood, then use the palm of your hand over the latch area, lift it up slightly with the other hand, then slam the hood down.

[Fiat88]

Have you guys tried removing them, cleaning them, and re-lube them? Also check that all the springs are there and not broken or fatigued.

Fiat88, considering you have a later year car with the self supporting hood and trunk you should not have any problems closing either. With the later cars you can give the hood or trunk a gentle push from the open position and the hood falls gently and latches itself. With the early cars you have to manually lower the hood, then use the palm of your hand over the latch area, lift it up slightly with the other hand, then slam the hood down.

Matt,

It's a '79 with a build date of 11-78,here's some pics of the hood and trunk

[Fiat88]

yes, the latch is held on the body by two studs in eliptical holes stamped into the latch body. there is about 5mm or so of adjustment up and down available. grab a 10mm wrench and loosen those two nuts.

the same latch is used for the hood and the trunk.

the mating plate on the hood or trunk lid is not adjustable.

I'm kicking myself as to why I don't remember reading your post Mike.

Well yesterday, my neighbor who has a '78 MG and I, were talking about our cars and the subject of how my trunk didn't close easily came up and he suggusted like you did Mike about adjusting the latch on the trunk lid... and wallah...it closed easily!

Next, will be figuring out the hood...

[Fiat88]

My hood is still a real pain to close. I have to push down on it really hard to get it to latch. Tried to use the adjustment and still is the same. I cleaned the latch and relubed it but no go...any more suggestions?

[azruss]

you may want to stretch the hood latch pin downward or put washers behind the pin to lower it . I would recommend taking it off the car to bend it. may also want to look at where the latch is making contact to see if it is hitting in the right place. If you hood has been replaced with a different year, you can have pin height issues.

[Fiat88]

you may want to stretch the hood latch pin downward or put washers behind the pin to lower it . I would recommend taking it off the car to bend it. may also want to look at where the latch is making contact to see if it is hitting in the right place. If you hood has been replaced with a different year, you can have pin height issues.

I did try the spacer method a few days ago but it wouldn't close at all. The hood latch pin(part of the hood) looks kind of worn down. Not sure if the PO put another hood on but I do know that the car was in a side collision. So, maybe something to do with the alignment of the cars frame.

[azruss]

If the hood gap is good between the left and right side, then the collision shouldnt be causing the issue. You may have the same issue as the trunk in that your rubber cushions are too fat and creating too much resistance when closing. hoods can be reshaped with some care. I have seen some that are arched too high in the middle and have closing issues. post pix?

[Fiat88]

If the hood gap is good between the left and right side, then the collision shouldnt be causing the issue. You may have the same issue as the trunk in that your rubber cushions are too fat and creating too much resistance when closing. hoods can be reshaped with some care. I have seen some that are arched too high in the middle and have closing issues. post pix?

Will take some pics and post back tomorrow! Thanks.

[Sunracer]

If your striker is badly worn that will be a problem. PB