As some of you may know, the 05 STi gets the monster hood scoop. Well, the problem that I have is if I do not slam the hood from about a 45 degree angle, it will eventually pop open on the highway. Not to say that it comes all the way open, it is being caught by the latch. I had originally sprayed the latch mechanism with brake cleaner thinking the latch was gummed up but it happened last night on the freeway again.

 

Anyone have any thoughts?

If you tug like crazy can you make it pop up or just while driving down the highway?

 

The latch mechanism is adjustable via the bolts on the front frame rail. If you just loosen them enough to tap them up a slight amount with a small hammer or wrench and re-tighten you should be ok. Unless there is a problem with the latch itself, just the slightest of adjustment can mean a better grip on the latch loop on the hood. Don't lossen it to the point of flopping around or you may have trouble getting it realigned. Put a scribe mark on the base for position in case you need to put it back where it was.

 

Afterwards try pulling on it to see if it's more secure.

I had the same issue on my Forester. With the big hood scoop on it it popped up all the time. I did adjust the latch a bit, but I still find that I have give it a decent slam to get it to stay shut.

Either one or both of the rubber hood stoppers are out of adjustment, the striker is needing adjusted, the latch needs adjusted, or it is wearing out from the constant opening shutting.

 

Brake cleaner is not the right thing to spray.

 

You should spray white lithium grease on it, it should have some gummy residue. It prevents rusting too.

Edited January 15, 201214 yr by bheinen74

What B said. No brake cleaner. Spray it with lithium grease or som other rust inhibitive grease.

 

Move the latch up 1/8" or so, turn the bump stops in about a half turn to take pressure off the latch.

 

Also check the adjustment of the release cable. With the hood open, press the latch closed with a big screwdriver and see how much play there is in the release cable. It should have 1/8" to 1/4" of free play before it starts to pull the release. You should check this at the latch under the hood, not at the lever in the car.

Thanks guys. To explain my logic behind the brake cleaner. I looked at my latch and it looked to be black gummed up with crap. I was thinking it wasn't allowing a proper close.