hood prop

[drewsalisbury]

I replaced the hood prop on a 230sl (the prop it replaced was a stick), now the hood stays open only about 45 degrees, maybe less.  Should the prop rod be 'wound' like a clock spring to increase tension?  I have already figured out that the plasic receiver that  the prop rests in should be reversed...the prop slipped out and the hood almost chopped  a few fingers.
Drew
230sl 4sp with guillotine option

[ted280sl]

Drew,
   It is my understandingthat your car is not unique and many of us have the "guillotine" option. There should be quite a bit of tension on the hood prop rod. Even with that mine would slip out at times. I made a minor modification to my car to avoid finger chops or head smashes. The receiver to the hood prop on my car is plastic. The rod has a rounded section the rides in the receiver. I drilled a hole in the reciever and if I place a nail in the hole while the hood is up it is impossible to lower the hood. My fingers and head have not been threatened since.
Ted
1969 280SL guillotine safety option

[rwmastel]

I would think that if your hood drops closed on it's own, then there is a problem.  It should not do that.  Yes, there should be quite a bit of tension on the prop, but I can't say how much.  Perhaps someone could provide proper installation instructions for a new spring/prop and guide?

See this thread http://index.php?topic=92 for pics of my old and working hood prop.

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420

[Cees Klumper]

The prop on my hood was guillotine-prone because the plastic receiver was worn a bit. You can adjust it back and forth, so that is one option, but since this did not do the trick, I decided to take it off and install it the other way around (it's symmetrically shaped). Now the hood stays up very well.

Btw I have been advised not to simply drop the hood to close it - rather, we are supposed to lower the hood slowly by hand until it rests on the keeper, then use the heavy hand and press it closed firmly. Dropping it as a matter of practice supposedly is bad for the hood/paint? Seemed to make sense at the time, so that's how I've been doing it since.

Cees,

white 1969 280 SL