Attachment III - Technical Information
1990/91 Lincoln Town Car Hood Latch Striker/Reinforcement ReplacementInstallation Instructions
CAUTION
DIFFERENT SIZE DRILL BITS ARE CALLED OUT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCEDURE. FAILURE TO USE THE CORRECT SIZE DRILL BIT OR DRILLING OUT-OF-ROUND HOLES (CAUSED BY NOT DRILLING STRAIGHT THROUGH SHEET METAL OR REINFORCEMENT) MAY CAUSE POOR RIVET RETENTION, LOOSE FITTING OR MIS-ALIGNMENT OF PARTS OR FASTENER CORROSION.
Removal
1. Open hood. Cover engine, fenders and grille with blanket to catch metal shavings created while drilling.
2. Wipe clean the hood latch striker plate and surrounding area.
3. Apply suitable tape to the backsides of each rivet to prevent the pop rivet from falling inside the hood assembly.
4. Using a 5/16" drill bit, drill out the four (4) striker plate rivet heads, and two (2) additional rivet heads securing reinforcement to hood inner panel if present.
5. Using a suitable punch and hammer, knock out the rivets from the holes then remove the striker plate, tape and remaining portion of the pop rivet from the hood reinforcement.
6. Locate the eight (8) spotwelds which secure the reinforcement to the hood inner panel and center punch each one. See Figure 1.
7. Using a 5/16" drill bit, drill out all eight (8) spotwelds, then remove the reinforcement from the hood inner panel.
CAUTION
APPLY TAPE TO THE DRILL BIT TO CREATE A "DRILL STOP" NO MORE THAN ONE (1) INCH FROM THE TIP TO PREVENT DRILLING THROUGH THE HOOD OUTER PANEL.
Installation
1. Position the new reinforcement in the hood inner panel opening.
2. Align the reinforcement to the hood inner panel by lining up the round hole and the oval-shaped slot, then secure in position using two (2) C-clamps through the latch opening. See Figure 2.
3. Ensure proper positioning of the reinforcement plate, then using a 17/64" drill bit, drill eight (8) holes in the reinforcement using the previously drilled 5/16" holes as a guide. Drill two (2) additional holes if additional rivets were present securing reinforcement to hood inner panel.
CAUTION
APPLY TAPE TO THE DRILL BIT TO CREATE A "DRILL STOP" NO MORE THAN ONE (1) INCH FROM THE TIP TO PREVENT DRILLING THROUGH THE OUTER HOOD PANEL.
4. Carefully clear away any metal shavings near the newly drilled holes.
5. Secure reinforcement to hood inner panel using the supplied pop rivets. Start by installing one rivet at each end of the reinforcement to ensure a good fit. See Figure 2.
6. Remove C-clamps.
7. Check assembly to be sure pop rivets are pulled up snug and that NO gaps exist between reinforcement and hood inner panel.
8. Position striker plate with rolled edges facing up onto reinforcement and align holes. Clamp in place then secure using supplied rivets.
9. Remove clamps.
10. Check the assembly to be sure pop rivets are pulled up snug and that NO gaps exist between striker plate and reinforcement.
11. Remove covers.
12. Verify proper hood latch operation.