My hood is only holding on the safety hook (or whatever it's called). Can't seem to find a way to fix the latch on my own. Don't know where to start. Do I have to go to a mechanic or is it possible to easily repair it on my own? I suspect the hood opening lever broke off from the latch somehow 'cos it feels loose. Any suggestions, folks? Thanks for any input in advance.
Go find someone with a Camry, look at their latch, and compare between the two and see what's different about one that works. It could well have had the striker hook break off, or something bent/jammed/rusted. Or you could have the corner bumpers set too high and there's nothing wrong with the latch - it can't grab the striker.
Hood latches are simple, a few bolts and they're on or off. You can find them for cheap at wrecking yards. One of the two halves (latch or striker, probably the striker) will adjust vertically to set the final hood height. You want the hood to be sitting even with the fenders (latch adjustment) and be just touching the two rubber bumpers at the front corners of the grille.
Corner bumpers set too low and the hood vibrates, set too high and you have trouble closing the hood - and you may crack or stretch the hood sheetmetal over time from forcing it to bend to latch.
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