How to Replace a Car Hood

If you have gotten into a front-end collision or would like to upgrade your hood to one that is lighter or one that has a hood scoop, you will need to replace your hood. Replacing the hood seems like a task for a body shop but is actually one of the simplest things you can do on your vehicle if you have a helper to give you a hand.

• Helper
• Ratchet
• Sockets
• New Hood

1. Step 1

   Open the hood and prop.

2. Step 2

   Instruct your helper to go to one side of the hood while you remain on the other.

3. Step 3

   Use an appropriately sized ratchet to loosen the two bolts at the base of the hood where it attaches to the hinges that allow it to move up and down.

4. Step 4

   Give your helper the ratchet that you were using and instruct him/her to remove the other two bolts holding the hood. Make sure to hold the hood firmly while your helper is removing the final two bolts.

5. Step 5

   Grasp the hood firmly and pull the prop rod out of the hood.

6. Step 6

   Remove the hood from the hinges and place it out of your work area.

7. Step 7

   Install the new hood on the hinges and prop it with the prop rod.

8. Step 8

   Tighten all four bolts with a ratchet.

9. Step 9

   Close the hood.