wind under hood

[joenintiesc]

I was driving along the Garden State Parkway in NJ the other day averaging around 75-80mph on a day with strong gusty winds. It was a bit scary seeing the wind causing the hood of my SF to flex and pull up on either side almost non-stop for the entire 1.5 hour drive!

Is this normal? I actually pulled over to make sure it was latched tight (it was), but there is a lot of give on the front corners of the hood. Is there any chance of the hood blowing open in conditions like this? It was pretty nerve-racking watching the hood try to open over and over as we drove... (Never really noticed this on any of the cars I've ever owned).

[aelaan]

First and foremost so sorry for that scary sight but the metals the cars are made of these days - especially the large pieces like the hood, roof etc. are of a light and strong material. I almost think you do not have a bug/stone deflector are the tip of the hood, or you would have seen that flex and move. The hood will not blow open, don't worry there is a second latch that will "catch" the hood should this happen. When in calmer wind check if the hood is in fact level with the fenders (there are rubber adjusters under the hood) - your garage should be able to check. Also make sure the hinges are bolted on tightly (which could actually point to the fact that the car might have been in some sort of mishap). If this all checks out.... look past the hood.... (not really a solution)

[Don67]

Look for black rubber stoppers under your hood, and turn them counter-clockwise. This raises them up, putting more pressure on the hood panel when closed so it can't bounce around. If you go to far it'll make the hood more difficult to close, but somewhere in between you will find the best compromise.

[AlpineRyder]

don I'm impressed. you know your $ h|t.

[Ruperts Trooper]

Originally Posted by AlpineRyder

don I'm impressed. you know your $ h|t.

I've been adjusting the rubbers stops on car doors, bonnets and boots (doors, hoods and trunks) since about 1970, I thought everyone knew how to.

[Montreal300]

I would think that moving the main latch down a bit would be better. The rubber stops are there for panel alignment.

[joenintiesc]

I will try the suggestions mentioned, especially regarding the latch. It just seems that raising the rubber bump stops will just increase outward pressure on the hood, and the problem is already the wind creating outward pressure on the hood. And I do have a bug/stone deflector, but it is a Weathertech and very stiff - it wasn't bending at all. Although I wonder if it could have an effect of channeling the wind under the hood...

My 2009 Ford Fusion does not have any "give" in the front corners of the hood - but then again they are not really "corners" due to the headlight design. Maybe there is just not enough bracing on the SF hood and therefore the hood has more flex in it. Try it yourself - grab the front corner of the hood and pull up hard and you will see how far it comes up. 40-50 mph gusts on a 65 mph highway was doing an even better job than I could pulling with my fingers...

Anyway, it's a scary sight to see while your cruising down a highway on a gusty day!

[scknf]

Just a thought - was the weather tech bug deflector installed properly? I installed mine in March and if I remember correctly the deflector mounting needs to be between the weather stripping and the hood. Maybe yours was mounted on top of the weather stripping and is opening up a small gap that is catching the wind.

[joenintiesc]

Originally Posted by scknf

Just a thought - was the weather tech bug deflector installed properly? I installed mine in March and if I remember correctly the deflector mounting needs to be between the weather stripping and the hood. Maybe yours was mounted on top of the weather stripping and is opening up a small gap that is catching the wind.

Thanks for the suggestion - but I did mount it correctly by re-installing the weatherstrip on top of the deflector. Appreciate the input though!

[Don67]

Originally Posted by joenintiesc

I will try the suggestions mentioned, especially regarding the latch. It just seems that raising the rubber bump stops will just increase outward pressure on the hood, and the problem is already the wind creating outward pressure on the hood.

Depends how high the hood is lifting. If it's rising above the fenders then it almost sounds like the primary latch isn't grasping and you're relying on the secondary latch only.