Dumb question of the day... Specifically the hood

[dblmikeusa1]

Why do I see so many e30's with dents on the hood? I am specifically talking about the raised area where the lines transition to the lower section. Usually every hood I look at (salvage yard and other peoples cars) have those dents...

I remember coming across one post a while back that said it was related to a bad hood shock... I am not 100% sold on that actually being the problem... but then again, I am asking the question...

Any ideas?

[Jand3rson]

Not a dumb question at all. They happen when the hood slams down by the wind or from a bad hood shock, mainly when it slams shut and the two upper corners near the windshield don't hit at the same time. It causes the framework on the underside of the hood to twist, and it creates two dents in the hood where the sheet metal twists.

Every E30 I've ever seen that had them had them in the exact same spots, including my first one. Jordan and I actually tried it on a parts car he had that already had a fucked up hood, but it was straight in those spots. We slammed it down, and it got those same 2 dents in the same place that everyone else has them.

[dblmikeusa1]

What if you think the hood shock is good, then what? My hood shock will hold the hood up... crazy thing, I bought a good hood with fresh paint from a salvage yard and installed it on my car... and of course, I got the dents...

Can these be fixed or scrap it? Buy a new shock?

[mikegar]

mine came from a friend laying on the hood and me driving erratically in an attempt to get him to come off.

[Jand3rson]

mine came from a friend laying on the hood and me driving erratically in an attempt to get him to come off.

[mikegar]

thanks for making me feel silly