OK, this is another strange thing that is happening to my newly acquired 97 OUtback. The hood unlatches itself when driving down the road. It only opens to the safety latch, but still it's un-nerving! It happened taking my son to school this morning, had him close the hood, then it was ajar again just a couple miles down the road! Is this a 'normal' issue? Do I need to replace the latch?

 

Karin

They stick and don't shut all the way. Then when you are driving they pop open. It's common. Just give it a good long spray of WD40 and open and close it a few times. This usually fixes it.

After you spray it with WD40 or PB Blaster, give it a squirt of oil to keep it lubricated. You can also use a light grease as that will last a bit longer.

thanks guys! I"ll do that today!

if all else fails... buy a set of hood pins.

hood pins would work... but that's extreme.

 

If all the rest fail, the latch is held in position with 2 bolts. Loosen them slightly, not enough to let the latch drop down on it's own (or scribe the height of the latch before you start) and move it a little higher, it won't take much. Tighten and drive it until it pops again or stays in place. There might be rubber adjusters on either side of the front to adjust the alignment compared to the fenders.

White lithium grease (in a spray can) is your freind. Once a year you should hit all the hinge points with this, and the latches.

 

 

nipper

thanks! I actually bought some of that a while ago, and hubby looked at me like I was silly for buying it! I didn't get around to lubing/greasing the latch yesterday (worked on cleaning up my old car the Soob is replacing so I can sell it), but hopefully will get to it today.