[Raffy]

Hello,
I noticed when closing my hood, I need to drop it from approximately 1/2 open (maybe a little less) in order for it to latch to lock closed. If I drop it from 8 or 10 inches, it won't latch and if I then try to just push it closed when its sitting on the latch, it also won't latch closed. Does this sound normal to have to drop the hood from the distance I described?
Thanks

 

[ZR2LIFE]

I have to drop mine about a foot for it to close. You could try adjusting the bumpers if it's hard to close.

 

[brownactive]

I have to drop mine from a foot or a bit more also for it to close. I hate it. And you can't push down on it and close it.

 

[Raffy]

I have to drop mine about a foot for it to close. You could try adjusting the bumpers if it's hard to close.

I didn't know they were adjustable, I will try that. Thanks

 

[brownactive]

If you adjust the bumpers won't the hood/sheet metal lines then be off?

 

[Raffy]

If you adjust the bumpers won't the hood/sheet metal lines then be off?

No it should not affect the alignment of the hood. The bumpers compress, if they are able to be adjusted, by lowering them you are only reducing the force required to compress them making it easier for the latch to lock. Think of it like reducing the compression of a spring, As long as the spring has enough free length it will still have enough force applied to align the hood properly. If you lowered the bumpers to much, you may have the issue you mentioned.

 

[Ikecaga]

Its in the book to drop the hood, do not try to push it closed, I did read that.

 

[Trail Blazed]

Page 246 of the owners manual

 

[Jdb2163]

I just got mine last week and opened the hood for the first time today. I was so confused how to close it. The manual just says drop it, but I had to drop it from about 2 feet and it slammed shut finally. I actually found this thread while trying to figure out out.

That just didn't seem normal for a brand new vehicle.

 

[brownactive]

I think the manual says like drop it from 12 inches. It is odd that it closes like that.

 

[Jdb2163]

I think the manual says like drop it from 12 inches. It is odd that it closes like that.

We tried 12 inches, then more and more until finally it latched. We were about ready to call chevy support (dealer wasn't open on Sunday) because nothing was working.

 

[Number6]

This is the first car I’ve ever had in over 40 years of cars that requires me to drop the hood from 12 plus inches to latch properly. It’s a little strange.

 

[JEdward]

I know this seems to concern a lot of people, but I think the required height for hood closure is related to the overall lightness of the hood compared to the strength of the latch spring. I think we recognize that these Trailblazers are not engineered like tanks; they use relatively thin body panels to boost both the economy of vehicle cost as well as fuel usage. (If you need proof of this catalyst for "economy", please go though a carwash with a powerful blower/dryer at the end of the cycle.) But the strength of the hood latch is still important.

It is clear to me that the TB (mine, at least) is a well-engineered and well-assembled vehicle, so I'm not too concerned with these minor eccentricities.

 

[Canada03ZR2]

I just naturally dropped the hood from a foot the first time I closed it. I thought that was just normal? I'd rather drop it with enough speed for it to latch than push down on the front of the hood. I've seen people dent hoods doing that with very little force applied.

 

[ZR2LIFE]

The only hoods that don't close with dropping are the ones with gas struts. Every other car/truck that uses a hood prop rod to hold it up can be dropped to close, so it's not unusual to have to drop the hood on the Trailblazer.

 

[Trail Blazed]

Even first gen TB's you have to drop the hood. I would have preferred struts to hold up the hood. Doesn't bother me that it doesn't. You just have to get used to it.