Rattle From Front of Vehicle (Adjust Hood Latch Following New Procedure)

Some customers may comment on a rattle coming from the front of their vehicle.

The hood latch may have been improperly adjusted.

Adjust the hood latch following the procedure below.

1. Open the hood and insert the prop rod.
2. Remove the grille. Refer to Grille Replacement in SI.
3. Remove the left and right adjustable rubber bumpers.
4. Return the prop rod to its secured position and close the hood in a normal manner, engaging the primary latch.
5. Loosen all three hood latch bolts.
6. Inspect the left and right side hood fit to the fender. Assure that the hood is at a minimum of 2 mm (0.078 in) below the fenders on both sides.

Apply downward pressure to the center of the hood above the latch in order to gain the 2 mm (0.078 in).




7. With downward pressure to the center of the hood, tighten the latch bolts. Refer to illustration above.

Tighten
Tighten the latch bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

8. Open the hood and install the prop rod.
9. Install the left and right adjustable rubber bumpers and adjust them all the way down.
10. Close the hood and verify adjustment. The bumpers are required to make contact with the hood. Adjust if necessary.



11. Apply white lithium grease to the bottom of the V on the latch. Refer to illustration above.
12. Verify the final adjustment by grabbing the hood and jiggling it up and down. If a rattle is heard, perform the procedure again.
13. Install the grille. Refer to Grille Replacement in SI.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: