Hood Stabilizers

[forestb]

When I adjust my hood so that the front corner hood stabilizers make contact with the top of my fenders it rubs off the paint. How is every one keeping this from happening?

[AcampoDave]

If you're referring to the little rubber pads....i have the same thing going on. In fact my truck actually has a divot polished into the metal

[forestb]

Yes that’s exactly what I am talking about

[Southcity]

I'm pretty sure most board members have experienced this problem with their trucks, I have as well. I believe this is because the rubber pads have hardened over time. New ones would probably solve the issue but I have not found them offered anywhere. I'm sure others will chime in with more info.

[forestb]

I have bought them in the past but I can’t remember where.

[AcampoDave]

A friend of mine got them from one of the major vendors like LMC , Brothers or Orange. The old ones were riveted on so we had to cut them off and the new ones were attached with some kind of screw or nut and bolt or whatever. It's been a long time so I don't remember very well.

[cwcarpenter98]

You can get both the front and rear pads from Truckandcarshop. Looks like the rear pads come with new rivets.

I put some new ones on the front of my hood, but the paint had already been rubbed off from the old ones, so I can't say for certain if new ones take the paint off or not

[forestb]

I just saw them on the LMC website

[jbgroby]

There are 4 bumpers on the front of the hood and 2 in the back by the cowl. The two outside corners are factory riveted, and turn hard with age, the 2 by the hood latch are soft rubber and also turn hard with age.

The replacment outter ones are designed to be riveted - but you can use a sheet metal screw to hold in place as the head is countersunk. The 2 for the center just push in place.

Any of the truck places have them see attached pic.

[forestb]

Not to hijack this thread. O wait I'm not. I'm jut getting back to the original question.

How are you all keeping the stabilizers from messing up your paint?

[jbgroby]

The new soft rubber won't mar generally. You'll always going to have some marking no matter simply due to vibration, can't be helped.

[forestb]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

The new soft rubber won't mar generally. You'll always going to have some marking no matter simply due to vibration, can't be helped.

Thanks

[The Rocknrod]

I wonder if putting 3M clear paint protector there would help?

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

I wonder if putting 3M clear paint protector there would help?

This is what I was going to suggest. You can get small pieces of it on ebay for cheap.

[jayoldschool]

Don't over think it. Anything adhesive will work. Electrical tape. Duct tape. Packing tape. Lots of options in varying thickness and colours.

Alternatively, you could cut a disc of aluminum or stainless sheet and glue it to the hood where the rubber hits.

[The Rocknrod]

Or a beer can top, whatever.

[forestb]

Before I got my new paint I was using a piece of sticky backed felt. It got rubbed out of the the way. So far with the new paint and new front stabilizers. So far no paint has come off but I can see where it is making contact.

[The Rocknrod]

I'm wondering if more hood adjustment would be in order?
And if shimming the hood latch (in the hood) would help?