The hood is heavy and somewhat awkward to remove and install, so at least two people should perform this procedure. For models from 1989 and earlier, the hood is hinged at the front by the radiator, while later models have the hinge at the rear by the base of the windshield. To begin, cover the cowl area and fenders with blankets or pads to protect the body and paint during the hood removal. Use paint or a permanent marker to make alignment marks around the hood hinge plate and bolt heads for proper alignment upon installation. Disconnect any cables or electrical connectors that may interfere with removal. With an assistant supporting the weight of the hood, remove the hinge-to-hood screws or bolts and lift off the hood. Installation follows the reverse order of removal. For adjustment, front-and-rear and side-to-side alignment can be made by moving the hood in the hinge plate slot after loosening the bolts or nuts. Mark a line around the entire hinge plate to judge the amount of movement, then loosen the bolts and adjust the hood into the correct position, tightening the hinge bolts afterward. If necessary, the entire
Hood Latch assembly can be adjusted up-and-down and side-to-side on the firewall to ensure the hood closes securely and is flush with the fenders. Mark around the hood latch mounting screws for reference, loosen them, reposition the latch assembly, and retighten the screws. Finally, adjust the hood bumpers so that the hood is flush with the fenders when closed, and periodically lubricate the hood latch assembly and hinges with white lithium base grease to prevent sticking or jamming.