I was having some minor latch problems and securing my hood down a few weeks ago, then I went away on vacation looking to fix them when I came home and the first time I drove hit the hood flew open while I was driving and then slammed down again. Today when I went to open the hood to have a look at the latches, the hood isn't opening up all the way. When I go to open it, it's being restricted as if the panel the wiper blades are attached to is preventing it from opening and if I open it any further it would most likely crack that panel...Does anyone have any suggestions to opening it up so i can replace the latches?

Thanks in advance.

 

If its binding on the wiper cowl, and you can't sneak a wrench or socket to the bolts to loosen them and pull the hood forward then be prepared to crack the cowl to fix the hood... they aren't expensive at the JY... and you could always krylon it to make it match color or go way off color to add "style"

 

I wrecked mine and the problem is that the hinges actually bend somewhat easily and that affects the clearance on the cowl. you can take the wiper arms off and remove the screws and the cowl will come off easily with the hood closed

 

Thanks to both of you for your help.

Well I was thinking about replacing the latches on the corners of the hood to keep it secured down but now i think i'll have to replace the cowl as well since i'm going to need to bust it up to open the hood all the way. I'm relatively new to replacing parts on the jeep. Is is going to be tough for a beginner to replace the cowl, spring latches and the hood latch? Any advice would be great.

 

the cowl should come off with hood closed... nothing major, just screws that hold it down. The latches are a little more involved, but still not bad. Just plan to fix your hinges

 

I had the same F**King problem with my cherokkee 2001 the hood flew open smashing into the windshield and bent on the wiper thing. Never opened correctly again and to open the hood i had to pry it open breaking the plastic air intake near the base of the windshield. My dealer said it happens alot with this design. F**kers...