Looks like I have the dreaded hood hinge bending problem. I ordered new hinges but I was hoping someone had put them on before. Does anyone know if you can install them without removing the fenders? I can't find it in the FSM anywhere.

 

I don't recall seeing anything on hinge install.
Just a wild guess, but what about with the plastic trays removed at the base of the windshield?


...fender removal would really suck.

 

I guess you learn something new everyday. I hadn't read about weak hinges.

Maybe check out the replacements Chico had for sale if they still are.

 

Pardon my ignorance if this totally useless but would a hood damper kit help?

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...highlight=hood

 

sorry to give you the bad news but the fender needs to come off, I did mine about 2 months ago

 

Beat me by a few seconds eh Deane. I'd say something about great minds .... but who's believe me.

 

I have a hood damper kit and it actually makes the problem worse. I think the hood damper has bent the hinges over time. Apparently this is not an uncommon problem either with or without hood dampers. The problem is that the hinge itself is actually bent.

 

Crap oh well...did the dealer do it for you under warranty? I'm long over that period, or did you bring it to a bodyshop?

 

I did it myself

 

You are my hero. No way I would have the ***** to remove a fender. Was it hard to get it off?

 

Not hard just need to be patient and careful, but I used to work in a body shop for a few years

 

So I got the hinges replaced at the dealer today. I'll post pics when I get a second. Man you should see the passenger side - it is bent a good 30 degrees. The body shop manager says they do 1 or 2 G's a day for hood hinges. The problem is that you can't lubricate the hinge where it is located and the passenger side always goes first. He gave me the hinge that was bent and man let me tell you, this thing was seized in place. I couldn't operate the hinge for the life of me and I'm a pretty big guy. He also said I was really lucky I was careful when I opened the hood and noticed that it was hitting the fender. He has seen all sorts of fenders come in that are knarled on the top from the owner just opening and closing the hood without checking.

Word from the wise - check you hood when you are opening it.

 

Get a Krown rust control it will get anywhere you can't lubricate. Including the squeaky clutch pedal on some 6mt's. Just did mine.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check mine out.

 

i just had mine replaced under warranty. so there's no accessible point to lubricate them??? that's just ****ing retarded. looks like i'll have to go ***** out spraying wd-40...