Jeep 5054330AG Hood Panel

The hood is heavy and somewhat awkward to remove and install, so at least two people should perform this procedure. Begin by using blankets or pads to cover the cowl area and fenders to protect the body and paint during the hood removal. Scribe alignment marks around the bolt heads and hinge attachment locations to ensure proper alignment during installation, using a permanent-type felt-tip marker if necessary. Remove the top bolts holding the hood to the hinge and loosen the bottom bolts until they can be removed by hand. Have an assistant support the weight of the hood from the opposite side while simultaneously removing the bottom bolts and lifting off the hood, using your shoulder for support. If equipped, remove the under hood lamp wire connector from the engine compartment wire harness and disconnect the windshield washer hose from the hood. Installation follows the reverse order of removal. For adjustment, front-and-back and side-to-side alignment of the hood can be achieved by moving it in relation to the hinge plate after loosening the bolts. Scribe or trace a line around the hinge plate to gauge movement, then loosen the bolts or nuts and adjust the hood gradually, tightening the hinge bolts or nuts before checking alignment. Adjust the hood bumpers on the radiator support to ensure the hood is flush with the fenders when closed, and mark the hood latch as a guide for adjustment. The hood latch assembly can also be adjusted up-and-down and side-to-side after loosening the bolts, with the position marked beforehand. Periodically lubricate the hood latch assembly and hinges with white lithium-base grease to prevent sticking and wear.