Has anyone had to replace the hood centering pins on a 126? I have a call in to Phil right now, trying to locate a set, or at the very least the right hand pin.

I noticed the hood appeared to be sitting askew last night, this morning I checked it out when I got to work. The right rear corner was (and still is) raised about 1/2 inch but I couldn't seem to find anything wrong with the hinge or the hinge attachments.

A little more looking and I noticed the post protruding from the inner edge of the fender and the matching slot at the hood corner. Even though I could see the slot was aligning with the pin, when the hood was closed it would be lifted at that corner. Comparing the left and right pins found that there is supposed to be a shoulder, which I surmise must keep the slot centered on the pin. The shoulder appears to be a simple press fit on the end of the post.

Can't locate the remains of the shoulder. It looks like the natural trajectory would pop it right onto the wipers, which I happened to use yesterday, probably launching the shoulder out on to the highway. Of course, I just learned the hood is secured at 5 points...all this time I only thought it was secure at 3.

Has anyone ever had to replace these centering pins?

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Mike,

Are you talking about the missing rubber cushion piece? Mine is missing one on the left (US driver side) - noticed it missing when closing my hood and that corner of the hood sticked up (approx. 0.5").

Well, I still don't have that rubber thingy yet but I have been able to trick the hood in by slowly driving it down/in and then snap shut on both sides.

If you ever findout the part# for that piece, please post it up (so I could get it with my next order)

Frank.

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'86 560SEL | Silver Ext. / Blue Int. | 201K miles (Apr. 05) | 204K miles (Feb. 06)

No Frank, I'm talking about the post that the slotted piece rides on. The cover you are missing, if I read your post correctly, goes one the slotted arm at the rear corners. Those covers are 126 887 01 25 (left) and 126 887 02 25 (right). If you look at those posts (visible where the hood meet the windshield when closed) you'll see the shoulder flange.

Phil called me back, he will be trying to locate a post for me. Apparently only the right is available, which is good because that is the one missing the shoulder. I also found out tonight that I too can trick the hood by closing it slowly, I just don't feel it is fully latched.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Mine does the same thing. I just close it harder.

John

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President Minuteman Section MBCA
www.mbca.org/minuteman