MTFCA Forum

I got the replacement stainless hood rods in the post yesterday and a comparison showed that the previous owner had shortened the center rod in order to fit with the incorrectly placed body (see my other posts for details). I tried pulling and tapping on the old rod but it does not move. Does anyone have a recommendation on the best way to get the old rod it and the new one in?

Patience and penetrating oil. Be sure the ends of the rod are not bradded. A small pair of real ViceGrips can be helpful. Flexing the hood joints over and over and repeated applications of penetrating oil will usually flush rust and debris out of the joints. Rotating the rod while pulling on it usually helps.

If you can get ahold of one end, use a drill to turn and pull at the same time.

Soak in Kroil, twist and pull...a lot.

They are a real challenge to put in too. Ford Service Manual shows how to make a point to put in the end of a hollow hinge pin to get it to go into the hood hinge.

I sympathize with you. As said penetrating oil and patience. Try to get it in the ends where the curl stops.
Mine weren't very straight.

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 19, 2022 1:56 pm

I sympathize with you. As said penetrating oil and patience. Try to get it in the ends where the curl stops.
Mine weren't very straight.
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Yes, patience & prudence - rush it and you'll brake a hinge off the hood.
You'll need to clean the inside of the hinges too. Rifle cleaning rod if you have one

I have installed them on one of my cars and also on a friend's car when the hood was rusted at the point where the latch holds it down. I replaced that side of the hood. It was not hard. Used a punch at end to push it in an inch or two, then vice grips on the protruding end to remove it. All depends on how much rust there is and whether or not it is bent. I was able to both hoods without any problems.

Patience, WD40, penetrating oil or etc. Slowly tap and try to turn. Use a flat ended punch the correct size and gently tap and so on. When you get enough to grasp I use a pair of small vise grips. That work for me. And no it grips won’t collapse the tube if you get it just tight enough.

I would add making a special driver for the hollow centre pin. Use a second piece of solid rod and turn a section down on one end, to fit in the hollow hinge rod. This will act like a bushing driver. It is not a substitute for penetrating fluid and patience. You may/will need all three.

Allan from down under.

Thanks guys.

I oiled the hinges last night then this morning I turned up driver to fit the inside and outside of the central rod then drove it right out. I wiped the inside of the hinges out then drove the new one in. Glad it was not harder.