In what cases will adjustment help?
Let's list the main malfunctions that you can fix yourself by just adjusting the car hood lock:
- The hood has become difficult to close; it requires repeated slamming and significant force to close it
- It has become problematic to open it (we pull and pull, but the reaction is zero)
- Doesn’t “bounce” when the cable is pulled; when closing, an extraneous knock of metal on metal is heard
- Rattling when the engine is running, in the pits.
Since it is almost impossible to describe all the models in one article, let’s take as an example a masterpiece of the domestic automobile industry - the VAZ car. Whatever they say, Lada cars roam the expanses of the former CIS more often than any foreign car. And, given their survivability, I think this will last for a long time... And based on the principle that this procedure, on almost all cars, comes down to similar actions (if you do not take into account the design features of the locks), you can derive a general adjustment formula. Let's start adjusting the locks, for example, for VAZ 2108, VAZ 2109, VAZ 21099.
Tools
To adjust we need:
19mm wrench.
Screwdriver, I usually use a "magic" set.
Oil for lubricating the lock (only liquid oil is suitable; “solidol”, “litol” and other similar lubricants are not suitable, since they harden at low temperatures, which makes the mechanism difficult to operate).
Desire, some free time, a head and two arms (preferably straight).
Other Possible Causes
If the problem is not a violation of debugging, it means that one of the parts of the locking system has broken. Let's not consider the option of the integrity of the lock: I think you checked it first.
One of the most likely failures is fatigue of the metal from which the spring inserted into the radiator “TV” is made. As a result, it weakens and stops working as it should. Its weakening can often be easily detected by simply pulling on it: the resistance will be quite weak. The spring is changed, the hood fixation is restored.
The next element that quite often breaks or becomes loose is the support tins under the spring. In this case, you can close the hood, but this requires 2 people: one pulls the handle that opens the lid, the second slams the hood, and only after that it closes. The fact is that when installed, the spring should not close the entrance to the lock guide in the center; it should be shifted to the side and cover this sector by 30 percent, no more.
The adjustment process on the selected car model
The device of the hood lock VAZ 2108/2109/21099
To begin, open and secure the hood. Let's pay attention to the lock and try to understand the principle of its operation.
The photo shows the main elements of the castle:
- Lock latch spring
- Lock-nut
- Latch
- Safety hook
- Safety hook handle.
From what we saw, it follows that after we pulled the opening handle in the cabin, the cable opens the latch, which releases the lock latch. Thanks to the latch spring, the hood “jumps” up, but it is still held half-open by the safety hook. And only by pressing the handle of the safety hook, we can fully open it and gain access to the engine compartment. Quite a reliable system. At first sight…
Adjustment, although not a very difficult operation, requires patience and accuracy. Sometimes you have to repeat the same jewelry movement many times until everything starts working as it should!
Vertical adjustment of the lock
If the hood does not want to close normally (you slam it, put pressure on it, but it still closes with difficulty, or does not lock in the closed position at all), or a rattling noise appears when driving on our perfectly smooth roads (sometimes it is noticeable even just when the engine), then adjustment in the vertical direction is necessary. Namely, adjusting the length of the lock latch.
Measuring the hood opening
There is often a case when the hood of a VAZ 2114 does not close due to the skew of the hood opening. If the car has been in an accident before, then the first thing you need to start with is to establish the symmetry of the hood opening. To do this, you need to measure it along two diagonals and compare the data obtained. You can measure with a regular tape measure, taking the bolt heads on the wings on one side and the adjusting rubber bands on the other side as reference points.
The next thing to do is to set the height of the side members of the car to the same height. Unfortunately, this can only be done by an experienced bodybuilder.
If discrepancies are identified along the diagonals and side members, then this is a direct route to the body shop. But if the car has not been in an accident before, then you can skip these measurements and immediately start with adjustment work.
How to replace and adjust the hood lock on a VAZ 2114 - Repair 2114
1. Before work, it is necessary to mark the position of the latch on the hood with a marker.
2. Using a screwdriver and a 17mm wrench, loosen the locknut.
3. Unscrew the locking nut and washer.
4. Using a screwdriver, remove the lock washer of the safety hook axis.
5. Then we take out the axle and remove the lever from 2 plastic holders.
6. Remove the safety hook assembly with the drive lever.
7. Remove the upper end of the lock spring from the panel hole.
8. Disconnect the drive rod from the spring and remove it from the body panel.
9. Installation is carried out in reverse order.
Adjusting the hood latch .
The adjustment is made by changing the position of the lock latch.
1. Loosen the locknut and position the latch so that when closing the hood it fits exactly into the hole on the front panel.
2. In order to adjust the protrusion of the lock retainer, unscrew the lock nut and use a screwdriver to adjust the protrusion. After that, fix it with a lock nut.
3. Check the lock and, if necessary, repeat the adjustment operation until the lock operates smoothly.
Video on adjusting the hood lock:
Adjusting the hinges
This adjustment should ensure the correct position of the hood in relation to the front fenders of the car.
To do this kind of work you need:
- Check the position of the hood relative to the top of the wings. They must be in the same plane. If this parameter is violated, then the next step is executed.
- Place the hood in the open position.
- The hinges are adjusted using 2 8mm wrench bolts. However, two bolts cannot be unscrewed at once. The adjustment will be greatly disrupted, and without experience it will be difficult to return to the original position. Therefore, you need to start by unscrewing one bolt, and, rocking the hood up and down, achieve a change in the vertical position. Then the bolt needs to be tightened and the hood lowered.
If the flatness is restored, and the hood of the VAZ 2114 does not close properly, then it is worth proceeding with the following work.
Adjusting the hood latch is easy to do with your own hands
Let's take a closer look at the hood of our car. Has there been any strangeness in his behavior? Often we do not pay attention to such little things as the fact that the hood has become a little worse to close, more and more effort is required each time to open it, and a rattling noise has appeared (at first light and intermittent). After all, all this happens gradually, and therefore imperceptibly. We forget about such a simple matter as adjusting the hood latch.
Timely diagnosis is the key to safety
We notice a flat tire or a “sick” starter immediately and take urgent measures to eliminate the problem. And a tired hood lock, according to most car enthusiasts, “does not affect speed.” Indeed, it does not affect, but many are terribly annoyed by repeated clapping, nervously tugging at the handle in the hope that Sesame will finally open. And all this happens, as a rule, at the most inopportune moments. It seems like a small thing, but an irritated driver is a threat on the road, and for absolutely all road users.
Or a hood that opens of its own accord while driving... Even at low speed this can create serious problems.
Let’s not put off such a “trifle” as adjustment. Moreover, all operations can be performed independently, without resorting to the help of service station workers, and most importantly, completely free of charge!
And this happens sometimes!
In what cases will adjustment help?
Let's list the main malfunctions that you can fix yourself by just adjusting the car hood lock:
- The hood has become difficult to close; it requires repeated slamming and significant force to close it
- It has become problematic to open it (we pull and pull, but the reaction is zero)
- Doesn’t “bounce” when the cable is pulled; when closing, an extraneous knock of metal on metal is heard
- Rattling when the engine is running, in the pits.
Since it is almost impossible to describe all the models in one article, let’s take as an example a masterpiece of the domestic automobile industry - the VAZ car. Whatever they say, Lada cars roam the expanses of the former CIS more often than any foreign car. And, given their survivability, I think this will last for a long time... And based on the principle that this procedure, on almost all cars, comes down to similar actions (if you do not take into account the design features of the locks), you can derive a general adjustment formula. Let's start adjusting the locks, for example, for VAZ 2108, VAZ 2109, VAZ 21099.
Leveling feet
These small but important details help to correctly align the hood overhang in relation to the headlights, radiator trim and front fender tips. For adjustment, 4 rubber bands are installed, 2 of which are twisted along the edges of the internal rigidity of the hood, and two are closer to the center.
The outer ones serve to change the position relative to the headlights, and the central ones do not so much change the position of the overhang as serve as elastic supports. They play the role of a pushing element when the lock opens.
Other reasons for poor performance
It happens that all the adjustments have been made, but the hood of the VAZ 2114 still does not close or does not work well. In this case, you need to lubricate the hood pin with graphite grease. If this does not help, then the reason lies in the old cable that operates the lock.
Dried grease in the jacket prevents the cable from moving freely. You can revive it by trying to fill it with grease or replace it with a new one.
VAZ 2114 owners often encounter a problem when the car hood begins to close and open poorly. This creates a lot of inconvenience. After all, a poorly functioning mechanism not only deprives you of the pleasure of operating the machine, but can also unexpectedly lead to an emergency.
Rope break
If the lock on the hood of the VAZ-2114 works properly, but the hood still does not open from the passenger compartment, you should assume that the drive cable is broken. You can check this by pulling it (not the winding) with pliers in the interior, making sure the lock opens from the outside.
If a break occurs in the engine compartment, you will have to proceed with the following actions:
- drive the car onto an overpass or into a pit;
- using keys, remove the crankcase protection under the engine;
- loosen the fastenings of the motor boot and bend it back;
- reach with your hand the lock that secures the hood.
Leveling feet
These small but important details help to correctly align the hood overhang in relation to the headlights, radiator trim and front fender tips. For adjustment, 4 rubber bands are installed, 2 of which are twisted along the edges of the internal rigidity of the hood, and two are closer to the center.
The outer ones serve to change the position relative to the headlights, and the central ones do not so much change the position of the overhang as serve as elastic supports. They play the role of a pushing element when the lock opens.
If the central rubber bands are too twisted, then this may be a circumstance due to which the hood of the VAZ 2114 does not close. The essence of adjusting the central rubber bands is to ensure that they create little resistance when closing. Ideally, the hood should close under its own weight when lowered from a height of 10-15 cm.
Other reasons for poor performance
It happens that all the adjustments have been made, but the hood of the VAZ 2114 still does not close or does not work well. In this case, you need to lubricate the hood pin with graphite grease. If this does not help, then the reason lies in the old cable that operates the lock.
Dried grease in the jacket prevents the cable from moving freely. You can revive it by trying to fill it with grease or replace it with a new one.
