Ever since I installed my Metricks hood assist spring kit I do pay a little more attention to making sure everything latches - probably because I find I open much more often now that its so much easier
Hood popped up. FOUR TIMES!!!
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I have come to the conclusion that the latch lever was not coming clear up after closing the hood. After numerous opening and closings in the garage, I noticed that after closing the hood, I could reach down and pull the release lever UP just a bit, leaving the latches prone to open under the air pressure of meeting a semi in a strong cross wind.
Haven't had a chance to "road test" it, but I have high hopes of having solved it. Of course, should the hood go sailing over my head someday, I'll be stuck with the thought that, "Well, I guess that theory is shot to hell."
fortunately, the way the slingshot hood closes I would think that the wind at high speed would want to help keep an unlatched hood closed unlike a conventional cars hood.
Heck I remember shortly after getting my Slingshot driving around and the hood was moving and flapping by large amounts when I got home I realized I had been driving for weeks and even on the freeway with the hood completely unlatched - fortunately the hood never actually opened, but like I said I think the wind actually helps hold it closed. - - This event was what started me paying more attention when closing the hood and checking all of the latches and it also the event that got me to notice that the factory hood pads were missing which is why I ordered the sling mods pads
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@openair Yes but if the hood departs the Slingshot it will be easier for people to admire your engine bay. Most people that see my Sling expects it has a go cart engine under there.
I'll just tell them it's an Ariel Atom. Or, that I built it in my garage.
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How funny! I have been asked many times if I built mine🙂
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How funny! I have been asked many times if I built mine🙂
And your answer? I usually say my wife did most of the work but I did the crappy stereo.
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I have come to the conclusion that the latch lever was not coming clear up after closing the hood. After numerous opening and closings in the garage, I noticed that after closing the hood, I could reach down and pull the release lever UP just a bit, leaving the latches prone to open under the air pressure of meeting a semi in a strong cross wind.
Haven't had a chance to "road test" it, but I have high hopes of having solved it. Of course, should the hood go sailing over my head someday, I'll be stuck with the thought that, "Well, I guess that theory is shot to hell."
I, too, have noticed that the rear hood latches sometimes aren't fully open after lifting the hood. My solution was to install some hood springs (I think I bought them at a local auto parts store, but don't remember any specifics) to cause the hood to pop up enough that it can't push back down on the latch once I've released the latches. IIRC, I also shortened the springs so they wouldn't lift as high, just enough to make sure the posts on the hood wouldn't touch the latches once the latches were released.
Here's a pic -
I, too, thought the front-hinged hood design would result in air pressure keeping the hood down if the latches released, but I can state from personal experience that my hood started lifting up after the hood popped while I was doing around 60 mph. Definitely an Oh Crap moment!
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If one needs to be going 60 I have no worries.
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mMy hood never popped. I just check all 4 latches after closing. I usually have to push on the hood to get 1 or 2 to latch. 100k no issues with hood. And I've done plenty of turnpike miles at 80-90 mph for extended periods of time.
