Hood popped open while driving.
 

So I was driving down the highway last night and my hood popped up to the 2nd latch point where it is up like 2 inches. I shut it again but I'm concerned it could happen again. My hood latch assembly is fairly rusted and the hood release cable barely pops the hood when I pull it. Any ideas on what I could do to fix it? Is it worth replacing the whole hood latch assembly or should I just drench it in wd-40 to try to get some of the rust off? Here is a picture of the latch.

I'd replace it since its fairly cheap. Fits 13-20 models.

https://www.subarupartsforyou.com/oe...bly-57310ca011

That is just surface rust and has zero impact on function. Just clean it up and adjust if needed.

This has happened to a friend of mine as well, north of 200 kph.

Scary stuff at any speed.
If I remember correctly, the latch itself can be adjusted by loosening the screws, moving the latch slightly, and re-tightening them.

There are also 2 rubber inserts, one on either side of the engine bay, on which the hood is supposed to rest.
They can be turned and used to slightly adjust the height of the hood.

I tried adjusting the latch and the rubber stops. Too low and it won't shut at all. Too high and it pops loose easily. I went back to about where it was. The latch that holds it in place when it is closed is really hard to push down with a finger. Could it just use some wd-40?

Takes way more than a finger-push to work the latch. WD-40 will only dissolve the grease that's supposed to be there. Then it'll evaporate.

It's just like any other hood latch. If you slowly push down the hood until you hear a healthy click, then you're good. I would only worry about it if it sounds/feels sketchy. Safety hook did its job.

I vote buy a better looking one. Curious as to what’s actually happening though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30426763333...mis&media=COPY

Spray a lubricant in there (not WD40) and then open and close it a few times.
Yours doesn't look as bad as the others I've seen in the NE.

Bloody California guys and their lack of rust knowledge!

A new one will look exactly like the old one after one winter.

It is just surface rust with absolutely zero impact on function.

Clean it up with a good shot of WD40 to get the gunk out and grease it up ( the mech not the hook itself).

Oh and check the part on the hood to make sure it isn't bent or damaged. Not sure how it could be but have seen stranger things.

^^^^this


There is absolutely no rust-related problem. I still don't think there is anything wrong with that latch. I think it was dropped low enough that it didn't fully latch. Looks the same. I've done it.

Oh, my, such a too-doo over a simple latch.

Just give the mechanism a shot of coal oil and ask @Ultramaroon to send you a dab of grease from his collection in his garage and then put a bit on the stricker.

:iono:

I take offense to this.

Why? Aren't you an I da ho an? You da ho an. I'm not da ho an.