how do YOU close your hood
-
96 SSEi
- Posts like a Northstar

- Posts: 1813
- Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
- Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
- Location: Ontario, Canada
how do YOU close your hood
hello, since my 92 GTP that also had the air shocks? that hold the hood open, I gently lower to body and push lightly until I hear the lock engage.
I have seen many peeps including mechanics just let it fall and slam into place
I refuse to treat my cars in this manner, how about you guys???
I have seen many peeps including mechanics just let it fall and slam into place
I refuse to treat my cars in this manner, how about you guys???
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things
2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
- SSEiMan01
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:17 pm
- Year and Trim: .
92 SSE
92 Lumina Z34
99 Tahoe
03 PAU - Location: DeKalb, IL
Re: how do YOU close your hood
I used to do the gentle method, until I actually creased the hood of my Impala ever so slightly. Since then I pull it about half way down then let it drop.
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
- RJolly87
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5403
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 8:53 am
- Year and Trim: 1993 Buick Park Avenue
1994 Buick Regal Custom - Location: Las Cruces, NM
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Letting it drop the last foot or so is the route I usually take.
I try and avoid drops from full open. It feels like a great way to break a grille.
I try and avoid drops from full open. It feels like a great way to break a grille.
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place
-
00Beast
- Retired Site Developer

- Posts: 20960
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 10:30 pm
- Year and Trim: '17 Silverado 1500
- Location: MN/IA
- Contact:
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Yeah, I let it drop a little. On some cars the struts that hold it up are pretty firm, you do have to slam them down a little.
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

RIP sandrock
Sirius wrote:Think about it. You’re tooling down the road in your Prius, knowing full-well that this thing being green is as big a sham as federally mandated ethanol-enriched gas, Russia pulling out of Ukraine, and Obamacare.
-
mikeluscher159
- SSE Member

- Posts: 107
- Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:11 am
- Year and Trim: 2002 Bonneville SLE
Re: how do YOU close your hood
After denting/scratching, I've learned dropping the last foot is the best option
- CMNTMXR57
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5841
- Joined: Wed May 13, 2009 10:45 pm
- Year and Trim: 2006 STS-V, 2004 GTO, 2009 G8 GT
- Location: CHICAGO
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Ditto.
I would never push it down to engage it for the reasons mentioned about denting the hood.
I would never push it down to engage it for the reasons mentioned about denting the hood.

Retired Bonneville Owner and former GM Tech:
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP: Black/Ebony *SOLD*
Summer Toys: Combined 827 RWHP / 877lb/ft RWTQ
2004 Pontiac GTO: Impulse Blue Metallic/Black/M6: lots 'o mods, 415 RWHP / 405lb/ft RWTQ!
2006 Cadillac STS-V: Light Platinum Metallic/Light Gray/A6 - Spectre CAI, Magnaflow exhaust, Speed Inc. tune, 412 RWHP / 472lb/ft RWTQ
Daily Drivers:
2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited: Mommy's new RGC
2015 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum: Kids new RGC
2011 Camaro SS
2009 Pontiac G8 GT: L76, Sport Red Metallic
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD: Victory Red - 8.1L Big Block and Allison
2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500: Doeskin Tan - 8.1L Big Block... RIP
1999 Chevrolet Suburban: Sunset Gold Metallic - RIP
-
96 SSEi
- Posts like a Northstar

- Posts: 1813
- Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
- Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: how do YOU close your hood
never had a problem on any car about dents but use palm and right at the hood point plus I clean and grease the lock so it very easy to lock.
this is aluminium so I'll be careful..thanks
this is aluminium so I'll be careful..thanks
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things
2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
- nos4blood70
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 9522
- Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
- Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
- Location: Chicago, IL
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Depends very much upon my mood and the reason for opening the hood in the first place.
- SSEiMan01
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 6:17 pm
- Year and Trim: .
92 SSE
92 Lumina Z34
99 Tahoe
03 PAU - Location: DeKalb, IL
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Will
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
91 Riviera | S2 L67 Swap/4T60E | 127K mi | Antelope Met. w/ Tan Int. | Saved From Death By Crusher
92 Bonneville SSE | L67/4T60E | 77K mi | Med Slate Grey w/ Two-Tone Grey Int. | Low Miles Time Capsule
92 Lumina Z34 | LQ1/4T60E | 177k mi | Torch Red w/Grey Int. | Rusty In Odd Spots
99 Tahoe LT | L31/4L65E | 276k mi | Spiral Grey Metallic w/Grey Int. | Truck for Truck Things and Portable Concert Hall
02 Bonneville SSEi | 171k mi | Black w/Neutral Int. | Backup and road trip car
03 Park Avenue Ultra | 212K mi | White Diamond Met. w/ Shale Int. | Southern Time Capsule
05 Acura RL | 165K mi | Carbon Grey Pearl w/Ebony Int. | The Super-Hooptie Daily
James May wrote:Hello.
- BBamm
- Posts like an LG3

- Posts: 304
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:16 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GXP
- Location: Jackson, MI
Re: how do YOU close your hood
nos4blood70 wrote:Depends very much upon my mood and the reason for opening the hood in the first place.

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)
- Sirius
- Resident Gearhead

- Posts: 2143
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 10:40 am
- Year and Trim: 2003 SSEi
- Location: West Point
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Put me in the camp with the anti-hood-denters. But it also depends on the car...I've had some that only required a gentle push to latch. Others required a slamming that would bring the back tires off the ground. But, yeah, I typically try to find the spot to drop from that gives just enough force to latch the hood release, then let 'er go.
Same goes with the trunk (or "boot" if you're Simon or Roger). The Bonneville requires a little push on the wing to latch, the G8 I have to let drop about a foot.
Same goes with the trunk (or "boot" if you're Simon or Roger). The Bonneville requires a little push on the wing to latch, the G8 I have to let drop about a foot.
Resident Tightwadgweg_b wrote:People think I'm nuts, but Matt proved it.

Screw you, Photobucket.
- xxdabroxx
- GXP Member

- Posts: 250
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:25 am
- Year and Trim: 2001 Bonneville SSEI 32,000 miles bone stock
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Hood gets dropped from about a foot or so. thin metal on cars these days.
The trunk usually gets closed by pulling on the latch that hangs down, to keep me from touching the paint on the spoiler. My car is usually dusty so I get it moving downward just fast enough to close.
The trunk usually gets closed by pulling on the latch that hangs down, to keep me from touching the paint on the spoiler. My car is usually dusty so I get it moving downward just fast enough to close.

- BBamm
- Posts like an LG3

- Posts: 304
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:16 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GXP
- Location: Jackson, MI
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Agreed! The trunk is the easy one, grab the latch and a little tug, closes nicely and doesn't leave smudges. I try to do the same with my hood.xxdabroxx wrote:Hood gets dropped from about a foot or so. thin metal on cars these days.
The trunk usually gets closed by pulling on the latch that hangs down, to keep me from touching the paint on the spoiler. My car is usually dusty so I get it moving downward just fast enough to close.
EDIT: I have my trunk's torsion bars set to JUST pop it. It used to try to flip the car over every time I opened it and now it's just a nice little pop, it comes up a little ways and then settles about a foot open. It made closing it easier too!

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)
- xxdabroxx
- GXP Member

- Posts: 250
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:25 am
- Year and Trim: 2001 Bonneville SSEI 32,000 miles bone stock
Re: how do YOU close your hood
How did you do this? I hate that it tries to bend the hinges every time it opens. I almost never open the trunk unless I'm there to catch it opening. I know it doesn't hurt anything but it's one of those OCD things.BBamm wrote:Agreed! The trunk is the easy one, grab the latch and a little tug, closes nicely and doesn't leave smudges. I try to do the same with my hood.xxdabroxx wrote:Hood gets dropped from about a foot or so. thin metal on cars these days.
The trunk usually gets closed by pulling on the latch that hangs down, to keep me from touching the paint on the spoiler. My car is usually dusty so I get it moving downward just fast enough to close.
EDIT: I have my trunk's torsion bars set to JUST pop it. It used to try to flip the car over every time I opened it and now it's just a nice little pop, it comes up a little ways and then settles about a foot open. It made closing it easier too!
Is it just a torsion bar type thing that you can adjust? I've honestly never looked into it. Seems like the one on the Olds had a few notches you could choose from, I vaguely remember reinstalling them after we stripped the deck lid.

- Archon
- Resident Gearhead

- Posts: 8781
- Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 10:30 pm
- Year and Trim: 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport.
- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Re: how do YOU close your hood
From Techinfo:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 13627.html
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 13627.html
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.
- BBamm
- Posts like an LG3

- Posts: 304
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:16 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GXP
- Location: Jackson, MI
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Yes, they're torsion style. I played with combos of positions until I found the one I liked the best. I think my left one is on the bottom notch and the right is on the middle one. I used a deep-well socket and a long extension to get some leverage on them and laid in the trunk. DON'T let the lid fall on you, it's HEAVY! Without the socket and extension, the bars are almost impossible to move and when they do go they slam down pretty hard.

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)
- xxdabroxx
- GXP Member

- Posts: 250
- Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:25 am
- Year and Trim: 2001 Bonneville SSEI 32,000 miles bone stock
Re: how do YOU close your hood
Awesome. I take it that it still stays full open once you help it up that high.

- Jfridge92
- Posts like an L67

- Posts: 1472
- Joined: Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:15 pm
- Year and Trim: 1999 Buick Lesabre Custom
- Location: Palm Bay, FL
Re: how do YOU close your hood
+1 on dropping it the last foot or so. My wife's Malibu is one of those "said cars" with super stiff hood struts, so that one has to be pushed down, which I hate, but so far the way the hood is shaped it's "safer" to push it right over the latch at the tip of the hood.

Joseph
Current: 2013 Infiniti G37 Journey
1999 Infiniti G20T - Sold
1999 Buick Lesabre - Race Couch - gone but not forgotten
- BBamm
- Posts like an LG3

- Posts: 304
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:16 pm
- Year and Trim: 2004 GXP
- Location: Jackson, MI
Re: how do YOU close your hood
yessir!xxdabroxx wrote:Awesome. I take it that it still stays full open once you help it up that high.

2004 Bonneville GXP Crimson Tintcoat- Casual fuel gauge | Brake Performance drilled/slotted rotors front and rear| Retrofit Morimoto mini H1 | clear corners | disabled DRL | 3000K HID fogs | 5% tint | K&N | Yakima rack with fairing, bike rails and kayak rack | Intermittent radio display
1995 Bonneville SSE Deep Amethyst Pearl- SSEI tails | 5% tint | 3 12jlw3v2 in custom enclosure -Gone
1991 Bonneville LE Blue- Alloy spokes -Deceased(deer)
-
1oldman
- Certified Bonneville Nut

- Posts: 3975
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 11:21 pm
- Year and Trim: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
- Location: Lone Star State
Re: how do YOU close your hood
X2 - BCSSEiMan01 wrote:I used to do the gentle method, until I actually creased the hood of my Impala ever so slightly. Since then I pull it about half way down then let it drop.
In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321


