Question -- hood strength

mm56 · 02-23-2004, 05:14 PM

Has anyone noticed small dents in the front of the hood, possibly from a rough closing? I noticed two small creases in the hood while one of the major electronics stores had it in thier grage installing a remote start system and alarm. The manager apologized and called it in to their insurance. They are just small dents, but come on -- this is my new truck! I would imagine they will have to order a whole new hood if they cannot be popped out. I am just wondering if the front lip on top of the hood is a weak spot....

Bmaez · 02-23-2004, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm56

Has anyone noticed small dents in the front of the hood, possibly from a rough closing? I noticed two small creases in the hood while one of the major electronics stores had it in thier grage installing a remote start system and alarm. The manager apologized and called it in to their insurance. They are just small dents, but come on -- this is my new truck! I would imagine they will have to order a whole new hood if they cannot be popped out. I am just wondering if the front lip on top of the hood is a weak spot....

Unfortunatly i do not have my titan yet (April) but i have noticed on the newer cars you shouldnt press down on the hood when closing just drop the hood and let it latch itself. My last car I had pressed on the hood and dented the hood with my palm.

AKHUNT/FISH · 02-23-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm56

Has anyone noticed small dents in the front of the hood, possibly from a rough closing? I noticed two small creases in the hood while one of the major electronics stores had it in thier grage installing a remote start system and alarm. The manager apologized and called it in to their insurance. They are just small dents, but come on -- this is my new truck! I would imagine they will have to order a whole new hood if they cannot be popped out. I am just wondering if the front lip on top of the hood is a weak spot....

I've read two other posts on this site that mentioned hood dents just from someone closing the hood. I've got a Titan on order. If I had it here it would be interesting to compare it (thickness) to the hood of my ford. It sounds like a problem that Nissan needs to fix. It's always a bummer to dent a new truck.

pagerdaddy · 02-23-2004, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm56

Has anyone noticed small dents in the front of the hood, possibly from a rough closing? I noticed two small creases in the hood while one of the major electronics stores had it in thier grage installing a remote start system and alarm. The manager apologized and called it in to their insurance. They are just small dents, but come on -- this is my new truck! I would imagine they will have to order a whole new hood if they cannot be popped out. I am just wondering if the front lip on top of the hood is a weak spot....

I was one of the lucky guys that dented my hood with my palm. It does
not use a prop rod like the hoods you can drop to close. It has those
cylinder things.

I have since learned to shut the hood by using my fingertips at the very edge
of the hood. If you put your hands on the curved part, the thin metal will
sink in easily.

karlconnell · 02-23-2004, 10:38 PM

You know, now that you mention it I have a small dent near where the hood angles down (about the size of a nickel on the lip) and wondered if it got there buy simply closing the hood as I could swear that I did not see one blemish before I left the dealership. I don't put my hands on the hood either...I slowly let it down to about 3-4 inches from closing and let it go down on it's own.

Karl

newenglandtitan · 03-30-2004, 07:43 PM

*&%@&^#@#*!!!! I can't believe I put a ding about the size of a nickel in my hood (right at the angle down to front) from closing it. This is insane!!!

bestatchess · 03-30-2004, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newenglandtitan

*&%@&^#@#*!!!! I can't believe I put a ding about the size of a nickel in my hood (right at the angle down to front) from closing it. This is insane!!!

Now we know the real reason for the hood protector.

1Titan · 03-31-2004, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm56

Has anyone noticed small dents in the front of the hood, possibly from a rough closing? I noticed two small creases in the hood while one of the major electronics stores had it in thier grage installing a remote start system and alarm. The manager apologized and called it in to their insurance. They are just small dents, but come on -- this is my new truck! I would imagine they will have to order a whole new hood if they cannot be popped out. I am just wondering if the front lip on top of the hood is a weak spot....

I close the hood by letting it go right when you startfeeling the extra weight a few inches before the grille. It will close nicely that way. Don't forget to tell your Nissan mechanics about this! Or you'll be coming home w/dents every 3750 miles!!!!!!

tomcattweek · 03-31-2004, 07:57 AM

I have a dent also. Right in the middle of the hood where it starts to angle down at the front. Will mention this post and see if the dealer will fix for free.

tomcattweek · 04-01-2004, 12:56 PM

The dealer said I'd have to pay for the dent removal. Not done fighting this yet though.

Foo · 04-01-2004, 11:52 PM

Wow,

I'll have to check mine since I've opened the hood twice. I'm use to my 94 Jeep Wrangler, I could drop it from any height.

TitanBodyGuy · 04-02-2004, 12:15 AM

Reminds me of the 2002 Dodge Ram I had. It was a 4X4 and after the first time I washed it, it had dimples. Apparently, when I was standing on the step ladder while washing the windshield, I touched both sides of the hood with my knee. Yes touched is the word for it.

Gone are the days when you could lay across the hood of your truck and look at the stars.

1Titan · 04-02-2004, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1Titan

I close the hood by letting it go right when you startfeeling the extra weight a few inches before the grille. It will close nicely that way. Don't forget to tell your Nissan mechanics about this! Or you'll be coming home w/dents every 3750 miles!!!!!!

To be more specific when I'm about to close the hood I grab the part of the hood like a u bolt that goes in to the hood latch. I pull it down and just let it go and it shuts automatically. I don't even touch the hood body it's all from the inner part of the hood. Although I must admit I've been doing that ever since I got my Titan not because I knew the hood could possibly dent but because I did not want to smudge up the hood with my grubby fingers! I guess that paid off for me.

tomcattweek · 04-03-2004, 07:42 AM

After arguing with the service manager for 20 minutes, he finally agreed to fix the dent. He had the dent guy do it that day and they did a great job.

pciley · 04-03-2004, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mm56

Has anyone noticed small dents in the front of the hood, possibly from a rough closing? I noticed two small creases in the hood while one of the major electronics stores had it in thier grage installing a remote start system and alarm. The manager apologized and called it in to their insurance. They are just small dents, but come on -- this is my new truck! I would imagine they will have to order a whole new hood if they cannot be popped out. I am just wondering if the front lip on top of the hood is a weak spot....

Too bad you live in AZ. I do Paintless Dent Repair for a living. I have noticed the hood is very weak. If you think thats bad, the ROOF is much worse. I was standing in my bed waxing the roof and it was very difficult to get a good coat of wax buffed off without pressing down. The whole roof wanted to cave in with my hand. It makes me think about what is happening when the wind is hitting the metal at 90 mph. I think I will wait to get that aftermarket sunroof talked about in another thread (the one with all the luxury auto features) until I get a huge dent up there.

I guess that's the price we pay for speed and fuel economy. They had to save weight somewhere right?