Loose front trunk hinges. Is this Normal? Options

[yrret7]

I removed my front trunk lid to line up the hood better and found that the hinges are very loose. Once the tension of the spring was removed it was even worse. Is this normal? I thought perhaps the bolt was loose but this was not the case. I'm not sure if the hole has increased in size or if the shouldered bolt is worn smaller. Would a washer help ? Anyone had this issue before?

Thanks!!

[TheCabinetmaker]

Its been a while, but, I think there is a plastic bushing that the bolt goes thru.

[Bartlett 914]

Its been a while, but, I think there is a plastic bushing that the bolt goes thru.

Steel bolt in a steel hole. Often freezes up from rust. This is a place where there should be a place to lubricate. The bolt head doesn't allow easy lubricating. The hinges are a little loose on the cars I have seen. Better loose than frozen. In the rear the bolts are the same. The part mounted to the car is not as rigid. It is also a little more exposed to the elements and rusts a little faster. These will rust up and rip the bracket off the car.

[yrret7]

Its been a while, but, I think there is a plastic bushing that the bolt goes thru.

Steel bolt in a steel hole. Often freezes up from rust. This is a place where there should be a place to lubricate. The bolt head doesn't allow easy lubricating. The hinges are a little loose on the cars I have seen. Better loose than frozen. In the rear the bolts are the same. The part mounted to the car is not as rigid. It is also a little more exposed to the elements and rusts a little faster. These will rust up and rip the bracket off the car.

There is no rust on it at all. It just seems that the the bolt or the hinge bolt hole has changed in size. If I put a washer on the bolt it would prevent the hinge from moving. The shoulder of the bolt would not touch the bracket on the car. I guess i might have to find new bolts and hinges. I might be able to find the bolts but the hinges????

[yrret7]

Its been a while, but, I think there is a plastic bushing that the bolt goes thru.

Steel bolt in a steel hole. Often freezes up from rust. This is a place where there should be a place to lubricate. The bolt head doesn't allow easy lubricating. The hinges are a little loose on the cars I have seen. Better loose than frozen. In the rear the bolts are the same. The part mounted to the car is not as rigid. It is also a little more exposed to the elements and rusts a little faster. These will rust up and rip the bracket off the car.

There is no rust on it at all. It just seems that the the bolt or the hinge bolt hole has changed in size. If I put a washer on the bolt it would prevent the hinge from moving. The shoulder of the bolt would not touch the bracket on the car. I guess i might have to find new bolts and hinges. I might be able to find the bolts but the hinges????

The issue is that the hood just about touches the fender on one side and has a half inch gap on the other side. In order to move it over I had to enlarge the holes in the hinges that bolts to the hood. The issue now is the play from the pivot point on the hinge. With the hood off and the spring off there is half an inch play. What to do. ?????
Thanks for all your replys!!!! I will try putting washers tonight and see if it helps.

[Spoke]

The issue is that the hood just about touches the fender on one side and has a half inch gap on the other side. In order to move it over I had to enlarge the holes in the hinges that bolts to the hood. The issue now is the play from the pivot point on the hinge. With the hood off and the spring off there is half an inch play. What to do. ?????
Thanks for all your replys!!!! I will try putting washers tonight and see if it helps.

j

The hinge support plates that the bolts tie into are adjustable. If your hood is low or high some adjustment is had with the support plates.

Show a pic or 2 so we can help you better. We don't like to read around here.

[yrret7]

The issue is that the hood just about touches the fender on one side and has a half inch gap on the other side. In order to move it over I had to enlarge the holes in the hinges that bolts to the hood. The issue now is the play from the pivot point on the hinge. With the hood off and the spring off there is half an inch play. What to do. ?????
Thanks for all your replys!!!! I will try putting washers tonight and see if it helps.

j

The hinge support plates that the bolts tie into are adjustable. If your hood is low or high some adjustment is had with the support plates.

Show a pic or 2 so we can help you better. We don't like to read around here.

Thanks for you reply!!! It's all apart now but someone has posted some pictures of the hinge and bolt. The up and down movement of the hood was ok . It's the side to side movement thats not. I have inlarged the holes in the hood to be able to shift it over to the side . The issue I was having was the hinges had a lot of play at the pivot point. Someone just posted after you stated that this is normal. The fender was replaced at some point. It looks like if I can get it centred the gaps will be right. I will find out tonight when I reinstall the hood. I thought the hinges would not have any play!!!! I don't know how to post pictures yet. I will try to figure that tonight.

I'm super impressed buy the amount of help that I have received. What a great group that I joined!!!!!