Snowman9000

SC300 drove under an SUV at low speed.

No damage to fenders. Hood is bent back, front end plastic is fubar.

First question. I can't get the hood open. I pulled the interior latch, and it clicked like it worked. But the actual latch is not opening. The lip of the hood is pushed up an inch or so, and I can see the latch. I could hacksaw the front of the loop that is attached to the hood, but getting to the back side would be really difficult. I can also easily remove the bolts that hold the latch into the crossmember, but from what I can tell, it needs to be open and drop out from the bottom. Suggestions?

Second question. The crossmember that hold the hood latch, is it replaceable? If so, how? It looks like it's part of the whole front end frame. Would a body shop cut out the crossmember and weld in a replacement? Other than that, it looks like everything I'd need to replace is bolt on.

Thanks!

CCC-TT

iTrader: (1)

be careful that your hood doesnt crack your windshield when you open it or try and take it off cause it may be pushed closer to the glass than you realize, or it may not just something to watch for. can you get to the back of the hood to unbolt it maybe?