Already broke something....

[92TripBlkVert]

Nothing serious, but annoying for the moment. Somehow I managed to break my hood latch assembly on my 2003 Mach 1. I was showing someone the engine bay late last night and when I shut the hood I heard something within the latch assembly break. Upon further inspection, I noticed that there was no striker? catch? on the underside of my hood. I didnt hear it hit the ground at all nor did I hear it rattling around inside my hood. The only thing keeping the hood down for the moment is the spring activated yellow latch that hooks into the recess where the striker or catch would be. Needless to say I dont want to drive the damn thing. Attached is a picture of another Mach showing what I am referring to. Am I wetoddid or what? Shouldnt there be a "U" shaped catch there? Another thing that Ive noticed is that the spring activated latch does not seat fully when the hood is shut all the way. This is my first new edge so please spare the flaming of the noob.

 

[92TripBlkVert]

and yes, I know that my main problem is that I dont have that damn Vortech in the picture.

 

[MystryGuy]

There should be a bar there, and the safety latch only catches when hood is popped.

Has the car ever been hit before in the front end? Sounds like the steel separated/broke fromt the hood (happens alot when the hood isnt replaced after an accident. I talk to someone at the Ford dealer and hope they will help you out or else your buying another hood!

 

[92TripBlkVert]

No, the car was not involved in an accident. Maybe the previous owner tried to raise the shaker putting extra stress on the latch. I've read about people trying that on the mach one registry.