Learn How To Replace Your Damaged Hood Quickly And Easily
ShareIf the hood of your car has been damaged or dented, you can easily replace it with a new hood if you are willing to put in a bit of elbow grease. Do not make the mistake of buying a brand new hood to replace your damaged hood though. You can buy a used hood for a fraction of the cost of a new one. The following guide walks you through the process of replacing the damaged hood on your car.
Buy a Used Hood
Salvage yards have numerous cars on their lot. You can find a car that is the same make, model, and year of your car. Open the hood to the car and find the nuts secured to bolts that are securing it to the frame of the car. Use a wrench to turn the nuts to the left to loosen them. Once the nuts are loose, have someone help you pull the hood of the car. You want to lift it straight up so that you do not cause any damage to the brackets that the bolts go through to secure the hood in place.
Prepare Your Car
When you get to your car, remove the hood the same way that you removed the hood from the car at the salvage yard. Take the time to near the bolts that secure the hood to the frame. This will ensure that the brackets can get as close to the frame as possible so that you do not have to worry about the hood jostling as you go down the road.
Replace the Hood
Have someone help you lift the hood over the engine. Carefully lace the bolts through the brackets on each side and then place a nut over each bolt. Use the wrench to turn the nut to the right so that it tightens securely.
Once the hood is secure, close it and make sure that the latch at the end of the hood secures so that the hood will not open as you go down the road. Take the car for a drive to ensure that the hood does not jostle while going down the road. If you feel that you cannot replace the hood on your own, you can pay a little extra to have someone from the salvage yard remove the hood for you and then take it to a mechanic to do the replacement for you. For more information, contact a professional like those at Carriage House Automotive Restorations.