Safety latch failed, Glass front hood flew open at 55mph Options

[Bills914-4]

Yeah I think its my bad, I dont remember pushing the release handle back in
the last time I open it at home , I dont use hood springs ,it's a glass hood (QRS)
& I wasn't using latch pins ( I will install this time ) I didn't feel I needed & I didn't
want to spoil the look , MY MISTAKE , so a Word of Caution to anybody running a
fiberglass front hood without Safty Thru Pins , don't trust the safty catch latch
the hood will FLEX and FLY open , (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) Bill D.

Insurance apraiser will be by tuesday (car is home) I'll see what they say (AARP),

[URY914]

Good luck with the insurace man. They may find a reason not to cover it.

[boogie_man]

Wondering how you're going to fix the windshield cowl (the project I bought had the same fate) as I see the hinges do most of the damages. Sorry to see that happen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[messix]

Wondering how you're going to fix the windshield cowl (the project I bought had the same fate) as I see the hinges do most of the damages. Sorry to see that happen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

cut - n- paiste...


i mean, cut and weld.

[Mike Bellis]

I have a 72 I'm cutting up if you need a cowl...

[Lou W]

Oh Wow, what a shame, I'm planning on running a glass hood on my car, maybe hold down pins are the way to go. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Bills914-4]

I have a 72 I'm cutting up if you need a cowl...

Thanks, I might take you up on that offer , I'm going to try locally , if nothing then I'll probably take it ,
Thank you very much Bill D.

[VaccaRabite]

Wait, so the airbrake function to the hood was not intended?

Yeah. Use pins. I would bot trust glass with the stock latch.

[Eric_Shea]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[7275914911]

Hate to see that man....

The stock hood does much more damage. BTDT at about 60 mph freeway cruising in my first teener back in about 79/80.

Everytime I drive mine at high speed that is in the back on my head. I need to get hood pins!!

[sww914]

I'm sorry that your latch malfunctioned but I'm glad that the glass hood did pretty minimal damage compared to what steel hoods do when they come up. I've gone 135 in a 914 with a glass hood and no hood pins.

[abnrdo]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Sorry man. Just a good reminder for everyone to get hood pins.

[Bills914-4]

I'm sorry that your latch malfunctioned but I'm glad that the glass hood did pretty minimal damage compared to what steel hoods do when they come up. I've gone 135 in a 914 with a glass hood and no hood pins.

Yeah , I've been driving around 4-5 months with glass hood no problems ( I wont say how fast I've been up to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif) ) , this is about the safty catch latch , at 55mph
the popped open , flexed then flew back and hit the windsheild (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) , and stayed
there , Thank God I just moved to the far left lane , trying to see thru the windshield was impossible , I had my head out the door window trying to see the
emergency lane and stay away from the Concrete divider , ( need emicon for shit in pants) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , I can laugh now , anyway heads up always double check your pull
handle , hood pins are an option ( not on my next glass hood ) Thanks Bill D.

[Bills914-4]

Good luck with the insurace man. They may find a reason not to cover it.

Well the insurance man came by today , said they will be sending a check out
tomorrow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) , I'm cool with the amount minus my deduction , I think I can fix
it with what is left , I still need to talk to the painter/bodyman ,

I have to Grin ,they are paying for a new glass hood (full price ,even shipping when I send a recipt) but they wont pay for the latch mechism ( somthing to do
listed as the item that failed) , thats ok I found my latch in the emergency lane unharmed ,it was still attached to a part of the glass frame , I didnt show him that,

I questioned him about the windsheild amount , his response was that is what his
computer shows , I was told ( if they charge more ,send a copy of recipt for a reimbursment )
windshield $ 116.45 , SafeLite , does this seem correct ? thanks Bill D.
installation $ 113.00 ,

[ConeDodger]

Good luck with the insurace man. They may find a reason not to cover it.

Well the insurance man came by today , said they will be sending a check out
tomorrow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) , I'm cool with the amount minus my deduction , I think I can fix
it with what is left , I still need to talk to the painter/bodyman ,

I have to Grin ,they are paying for a new glass hood (full price ,even shipping when I send a recipt) but they wont pay for the latch mechism ( somthing to do
listed as the item that failed) , thats ok I found my latch in the emergency lane unharmed ,it was still attached to a part of the glass frame , I didnt show him that,

I questioned him about the windsheild amount , his response was that is what his
computer shows , I was told ( if they charge more ,send a copy of recipt for a reimbursment )
windshield $ 116.45 , SafeLite , does this seem correct ? thanks Bill D.
installation $ 113.00 ,

I'm surprised they paid for the hood. It isn't stock. They usually just walk away and as they do they tell you they only cover what is stock.
Installing the windshield is easy. Do that yourself.

[stugray]

I have a glass hood (with pins).
Never been over highway speeds though.... (rust bucket with really nice parts...)

I have also been directly behind someone who's hood opened at highway speed (not a 914).
I need the Sh-In-Pants emoticon for my reaction as well ;-)
It looked like the radiator blew at the same time, but I think it was just the hood liner coming apart at 75MPH.

I am amazed that the INS company paid for it since it could have been considered a "performance modification, without notification" - meaning: 'you upgraded the car without letting us know and robbed us of increased revenue by not raising your rates'.
Who was your carrier? Sounds like a good one?

Glad you were able to get to the side without further incident.

Stu

[Bills914-4]

I was suprised also , first thing he said was, were did you buy the hood
& how much did I pay ,

thankfully I switch to AARP about a year ago ,I became eligible (over50)
& all state was raising my rates by 10%

Bill D.

[URY914]

I hope you feel lucky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[boogie_man]

I used to be an insurance adjuster as yes that can be considered a comprhensive loss where the pay for the damages but not the cause..just like a blown tire, they won't cover the tire but will pay for the damages it can do. Glad it worked out for you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[sean_v8_914]

I dont think the latch failed. i submit that the hood failed. air gets under FG hood and inflates it. as it bows upward, teh leading edge retracts as does teh latch hook. it moves far enough back to clear the lip it once clipped under. I have observed this durrign hood installation and once it was highlighted because there was an object in teh seal rail. the object bowed the hood and teh latch let go. als seen when teh hood it too far back and/or the latch to the hood is too far back