300zx hood is slightly raised, how do I fix this?

[Daknak]

Since I bought my z, I've noticed that my hood is slightly raised about an inch or so. How do I go about fixing this issue? Thanks

[centralcoaster33]

The front is controlled by the latch in the center and the bumper stops in the corners which typically have a small amount of adjustment available. The latch can possibly be moved up or down a quarter inch or so by loosening the bolts holding it to the front brace parts. The bumper stops are typically threaded rubber and can be twisted to make them go up or down. The rear is just hinges, which could be bent and need replacing. Sometimes people do a "style" thing to the hinges and put about an inch of washers in there to raise it up, so look for those and remove them if you want.

An inch is a lot. Your car could be all bent up. I can't tell without seeing a photo.

PS - this is coming from a 240sx guy, so use your best judgement regarding adjustment.

[Daknak]

Front end not bent up at all. I did a little more research and found that it's a common issue for Z's. I guess the previous owner jacked the car up using the radiator support instead of the actual jack points you're supposed to use. I'm wondering how to get it back to normal

[centralcoaster33]

Oh okay, I found some forum threads describing what you speak of. You may need to get the upper and lower supports replaced, or bent back down. I've seen that done on 240's and the ends have to be cut off and the new parts get welded on. As an alternative to real body work, I read that some have taken off the latch piece in the center (the one I mentioned earlier) drilled out the three holes to oval to get more adjustment out of them and then bolt it back on. Perhaps someone with actual experience will see this post and comment in the next few days. Best of luck!

[DCaff300ZX]

As an alternative to real body work, I read that some have taken off the latch piece in the center (the one I mentioned earlier) drilled out the three holes to oval to get more adjustment out of them and then bolt it back on. Perhaps someone with actual experience will see this post and comment in the next few days.

Not recommended (if doing "proper" work as I usually do) but a viable alternative, one I have used with my Z to get an 1/8th inch extra pull down (just drilled holes larger), due to my accident. Once proper repairs are done this will not be the final repair, but has held for over a year now and casual use...with the side issue of a bounce squeak on bumpy roads since everything is not plumb and square, seated correctly even though everything is tightly latched and bumpers in place.
So to be clear, the method above should be seen as a casual/temporary fix, with a body shop/body repair needed for final correct results of an out of square front end/bent rad support.