Rear hood: what it does, how to troubleshoot and replace it

What is a rear hood?

A rear hood, alternatively called a trunk or boot, is a built-in compartment often at the vehicle used as the vehicle’s main storage. However, in other cars models, the cargo compartment is at the front. The door opening the hood is either hinged at the top, bottom, or on the side.

What does it do?

Primarily, it is the main compartment for the storage of luggage while traveling. Additionally, it can be used to offer safety to the car occupants passively. A loaded trunk offers the vehicle stability that when making extreme turns, it is difficult for the car to flip over. Also, in an accident, a loaded trunk will act as a barrier to projectiles that might harm the occupants.

Can you replace it yourself?

Theoretically, replacing it sounds like an overwhelming task that only a body shop can handle. But this is not the case; it is a simple task you can take a DIY approach. If the boot is damaged from a collision or you need an upgrade, a used hood is an ideal option. Therefore before the replacement, you have to find a used rear hood at autoparts-24.com that is similar and compatible with your vehicle design. Then, follow the following procedure for a DIY hood replacement:

The process begins with loosening the screws fastened on the hood Slowly pry off the chrome molding. It can be hard at first because of the adhesive used. It would be best if you were cautious not to damage the paint Remove the retainers to be able to access and disconnect the connector inside the trunk lid.

Using a flat-head screwdriver, slide the clip outwards. The head of the screwdriver is placed between the clip and strut ball joint and pushed on the outward position. Whenever you feel it is loose enough, pull the strut out yourself. Install the used OEM of it and placing it on the strut and fastening it. Return the chrome molding and connector. Fasten the jointing bolts.

Things to know and remember when replacing the parts

When replacing the hood of car, you have to be extra cautious to avoid damaging other car parts. For instance, the hood strut is too close to the windshield. Therefore, when loosening it using the screwdriver, be careful not to break the wind shield.

Caution needs to be taken when fitting back the chrome molding. Before you press it against the trunk lid, you have to be sure it is straight. Also, it is easy to forget to fit the connector, be sure to place it.

When removing the old rear hood, it is fundamental to safely hold it in position to avoid it falling on you. Moreover, it would be best to be cautious so that the hood’s corners do not slip and hit the windshield.

Different types/ generations/ models of the car hood

The trunks vary depending on their designs. Some of the common trunk types include;

Tailgate. A tailgate is a trunk whose door is hinged at the bottom and has a drop-down opening mechanism. This hood is mostly used for pickup trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUV), and station wagons.

Hatchback. These are trunks that are hinged at the top. It is common in the modern SUVs Roll down the trunk. This type of trunk has a roll-down window retracting to the rest of the body where the luggage can easily be loaded.

Open compartment. These are trunks that do not have any physical separation between the passenger compartment. However, you can modify it by placing a cover to separate the two compartments.

Closed compartment. In this category, the passenger compartment and the trunk are separated by rigid body elements.

At autoparts-24.com, all these types and designs of hoods are available.

Different subparts

The subparts of the boot include;

• Latch
• Striker
• Release lever
• Retainer
• Release cable.

Identifying issues or symptoms of failure/problems

The tips mentioned below give insight on how to identify a damaged car trunk:

• Door open warning light on the instrument panel
• Visible bending
• Failure to open or close
• Unusual noises
• Uneven feel on the surface of the hood.

Frequently occurring issues with the part

The rear hood is one of the difficult parts of the car to sort out the damage. However, it is not 100% free from malfunctioning. Some of the common issues that lead to its malfunctioning are;

• Rear-end collision
• Latch misalignment. Due to a physical impact, the latch might not align with the striker, hindering the lid from closing.
• Age
• Corrosion
• Broken latch release lever. This prevents the trunk lid from opening.
• Damaged release cable plastic retainer. As a result of a damaged retainer, there will be cable misalignment which prevents proper directional pull to the release lever.
• Damaged electric latch releases solenoid. This prevents the trunk from opening from the release button.
• Misaligned trunk striker.

Normal life time

A car’s hood is designed to last a lifetime. However, the damage can happen prematurely. Notably, before you start experiencing any trunk trouble, you will have used it for approximately 12 years.

Other parts to replace or fix when replacing the rear hood

Chances are other parts of the car can also be affected due to a damaged boot. Some of the parts you have to change include the latches, striker, release lever, and paint job similar to the original paint.

How to make sure you purchase the right part for your exact cars

The hood of car comes with different designs and opening mechanisms. Therefore, when replacing it, you need to consider your vehicle’s make, model, and year of manufacture. It would be best to buy from an Original Equipment Manufacturer to ensure it is right for your cars. All you need to do is enter the OEM number and find the appropriate choice. Please sort it out at the autoparts-24.com website makes it easier to find compatible items of rear hood.

Final thoughts

Due to rear-end collisions or other unavoidable circumstances, your rear hood might get faulty. Due to how costly it is to replace the trunk with a new one, it would be best to use a second-hand hood of car and replace it yourself. However, the second-hand rear hood should be from an OEM, which you can use or search at autoparts-24.com.