[eleanorfan]

I browsed the forum and it was difficult to make my mind. I'm often driving on the German motorways at a cruise speed varying between 80 and 120mph

When over 100, the hood shakes violently.

That's no problem for me it there is no risk the hood goes away... overthise that's a serious one!

The car being build for USA and Canada markets where speed is limited, I don't know if the US regulations force the car maker the have the car operating properly at all speeds it can reach, or just at speeds allowed by law.

So is it supposed to be safe, or are hood pins strongly recommended ?

Thanks,

Francois

PS: btw this car is really a motorway machine and is incredibly nice to drive at those average speeds aroud 100-110

[Snake Pliskin]

I don't hear about factory hoods blowing off. The hoods are manufactured to have two latches that must both fail for the hood to blow off. You release the first latch from the driver's seat and the second from the front of the car. I never experienced a shaking hood at high speeds so i wonder if your latching system is worn. You may want to see if it needs adjustment. I have heard multiple times of aftermarket hoods blowing back and smashing the cowl at the base of the windshield. If you don't mind the hood pins, it might be a good idea in the interest of safety.

[engineer76]

Don't worry about it! I have the same problem when I am driving around in Germany and nothing happened till now.

Even if the hood is wobbling at these speeds, it won't come off. But keep in mind that you risk getting more paint cracks (due to continuous flex of the hood), especially at the seams.

Hood pins wouldn't be a big help to reduce wobbling. The only true solution would be a reinforcement of the hood from underneath.

[eleanorfan]

Good to know you didn't lose your hood on the motorway! It seems to be a very common problem. A friend of mine has a 2009 Bullit and same problem on German motorways, and was also looking for hood pins. We both have the stock hood. So bad if it doesn't fix the problem...

[gtcrafty]

The US is a very litigious society. That's why all of the aftermarket hood vendors include a disclaimer that hood pins must be used with their hoods. Regardless of the fact you're going 150 mph on a 70 mph freeway, some idiot will sue because they blew their hood off, or worse, some innocent bystander gets struck by that hood and they have to hold the vendor responsible too.

[2oo5GT]

You might have to adjust the hood stops to put more pressure on the hood when it's closed. If you still fear your hood will pop up at those speeds, then i would def get hood pins. Stock hoods, i've never really cared. When I buy after market hoods that i did for my 95, 97, and 03, they received hood pins. My 95's hood popped up onto the last latch while on the hwy. luckily it didn't pop up all the way. I already had hood pins waiting, so I def installed. Friend's 91 Mustang, he wasn't that lucky but after he got another hood and everything fixed, he bought pins for it.
They're cheap insurance to me.

[ba2]

I purchased a new 2007 Mustang GT just days before an event I had entered. Enroute to the event I noticed the hood flexing on the drivers side. I tried to adjust it but that didn't help. For fear of the hood coming up (not likely) I duct taped both seams. Big mistake, it left marks in the paint where the duct tape was because the hood was still flexing. When I got home I searched the net for hood pins. My experience was that you need 5" long posts. I mounted the posts to the radiator support. Nice tight fit and no more worries.

[hotshot]

i added a set of shelby hood pins and have zero "hood dance" at high speeds.

[stlwagon]

Aftermarket hoods are susceptible to this. Never heard of an OEM hood coming off.

[RedMosesSC]

Mine was shaking enough to convince me to get hood pins!

Ive seen it happen to S197's, all it takes is that one fine day when the latch pops and then you need a new winshield and paint. $100 bux a couple hours and a few beers is all it takes for piece of mind

[Crazystang89]

Both of my S197s had hood flutter between 110 and 120. It seemed to go away with even higher speeds so I say just go faster.

[hotshot]

Originally Posted by RedMosesSC

Mine was shaking enough to convince me to get hood pins!

Ive seen it happen to S197's, all it takes is that one fine day when the latch pops and then you need a new winshield and paint. $100 bux a couple hours and a few beers is all it takes for piece of mind

Beer is mandatory each time i mod something. I was able to convince myself one beer per wheel is sufficient for enough energy to complete a wheel swap

I did the pins for safety and for aesthetics because i needed a little extra something with my thin stripes

[Scottscherpie]

You shouldn't have a problem, just be glad that you get those opportunities to open up at those speeds daily!

[mrvandermey]

I do have an aftermarket hood, and I noticed it "flapping" at the corners at 50 mph and just got worse fromt here, so I installed hood pins at the corners and problem solved.

[06silverbullet]

i've gotten my 2006 gt up to 110 and have never had the hood shake what so ever