Hood Hinge - Squeaking and/or Rattling Noise
^ HINGE - HOOD - SQUEAKING AND/OR Article No.
RATTLING NOISE 87-5-1
^ NOISE - SQUEAKING AND/OR RATTLING - HOOD HINGE
FORD 1987 THUNDERBIRD
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1987 COUGAR
ISSUE: A squeaking and/or rattling hood hinge during vehicle operation may be caused by contact between the hinge forward link tab and/or preload bumper.
ACTION: To correct this, adjust the hood hinge using the following service procedure.
Figure 1:
1. Open hood and loosen 10 mm lock nut and back off preload bumper until it does not contact the cowl panel with the hood closed, Figure 1.
Figure 2:
2. Inspect forward link tab for possible damage and correct if necessary, Figure 2.
Figure 1:
3. Use an assistant to hold hood open, then remove clip that retains hood hinge torsion bar to hood hinge pivot plate and disengage the bar. This will disengage clock spring force.
4. For forward link tab clearance, loosen three (3) screw and washer assemblies which attach hinge to body, Figure 1.
Figure 2:
5. Adjust the hinge on body. (Rotating the forward portion of hinge on body downward will increase the overall rear of hood movement in the hood closed position. Rotating hinge on body upward would decrease movement.)
6. Torque three (3) screw and washer assemblies 16-25 ft.lbs., (22-34 N-m) which attach hinge to body.
7. With hood in closed position, apply a gentle downward force (less than 8 lbs.) by using the heel of the hand directly over the hinge mount and pull the rear edge of hood near hinge area in the upward direction to check for 3 mm to 6 mm of free play, Figure 2.
8. If the free play is not within specification, repeat the adjustment Steps 4 through 7.
9. Preload hood hinge assembly by opening the hood and engaging hood hinge torsion bar to hood hinge pivot plate and install clip.
10. Adjust the preload bumper so that it contacts against the cowl panel in order to raise the closed hood surface flush with the fender. Tighten the 10 mm lock nut to secure preload bumper in its place.
11. Check clearance of hinge on body to both the tab and the underside of the hood assembly when closing the hood.
12. Repeat the above steps where necessary.
13. Repeat the adjustment procedure for hood hinge assembly on the opposite side of the hood, if required.
14. Test drive and check that the squeaking and/or rattling noise has been corrected.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Reimbursable within the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual
OPERATION: SP870501A
TIME: 0.5 Hr. DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 16796 - Code: 56