97 bravada hood release problems

[DeeRider]

Twice we have tried to open the hood on our Bravada. Both times we were on a slight incline, not sure if that adds to the problem.

What we are finding, sorry don't know the technical terms for these parts. When I pull the hood release lever, you can hear the latch release, what we are finding is the lever is not swinging back to allow the hood to go up far enough to reach in and activate the secondary hood release.

After many repeated attempts we finally get the hood open.

Any suggestions It seems like the latch thingie, is just sticking shut.

Thanks

[Chris Stewart]

I keep the latch parts lubed w/grease and every now and then when it seems to hesitate, I pull the hood lift spring up a coupla inches then let it relax back. Smearing a tiny bit of grease on the rubber hood locaters on the inner fenders helps too.

[ericn1300]

when i got my 92 bravada a few months ago one of the first things i did was lubricate all the door and hood latches and hinges. my 1950 gmc manual points out that lubrication of body parts is nessacary and is usualy neglected by the service staion.

i use a pentrating oil spray first, getting a good amount into the actual latching mech then working it a few times before wiping off the excess. Liquid Wrench has a new foaming spray that works great. then you need to lube the latch posts and matching parts with grease. look for where the paint has worn off the post and matching parts and apply a liberal amount of grease. open and close it a few times and wipe off the excess grease. do the same for the hinges. if you don't want to buy and store a whole tub of grease for such a small job get a little tube of garage door opener grease from genie at your home improvement store and us the remainder on your garage door. you will notice an immediate difference. my 6yr old couldn't open the back doors from the outside when i first got it, now she has no problem.

[ericn1300]

oh, and by the way do not use any oil or grease on the key cylinders. oil will collect dust and grit on these parts and cause them to wear out sooner. use a dry graphite lube specificaly designed for locks

[Chris Stewart]

Ericn, have you changed the transmission fluid and filter yet? That's the only thing I've had to do to my '92 trans in 178k.

[ericn1300]

the transmission had been rebuilt less than 25k miles before i bought it. i have the reciepts, it was rebuilt by a shop that i know and trust and has 5k left on the warranty. i might take it back and have the shift points readjusted. next week will be a good test, towing a trailer full of camping stuff and throwing the canoe on the roof. the drive to camp will climb from 2k feet to over 7k in less than 2 hours, with lots of down and up shifting. i hope to find some really wet dirt roads and water holes so i can try out the smartrak and abs. a couple of side trips are planned, without the gear, up some jeep trails to some small lakes over 8.5k feet. i heard the fishing is good, if you can get there.