Changing the hood on a 2009 Mercedes E350 is a fancy and time-consuming activity, however, with the suitable instruments and a scientific method, it may be achieved efficiently. This complete information will offer you step-by-step directions, detailed explanations, and essential security precautions to make sure a easy and efficient hood alternative course of.
Earlier than commencing, collect the mandatory instruments and supplies, together with a brand new hood, alternative {hardware}, a socket wrench set, a torque wrench, a pry bar, a hammer, and a chisel. Moreover, guarantee your workspace is well-lit and ventilated. Start by disconnecting the damaging battery terminal to forestall any electrical hazards. Subsequent, fastidiously take away the hood insulation and unbolt the hood hinges from the automobile’s body. Subsequently, help the hood with a sturdy object or a helper, and proceed to detach the hood from the hinges.
Now, put together the brand new hood for set up by aligning it accurately on the automobile’s body. Safe it briefly with a couple of bolts to forestall it from shifting. Reconnect the hood hinges and tighten the bolts securely utilizing a torque wrench to make sure correct match and performance. Substitute the hood insulation and reconnect the damaging battery terminal. Lastly, examine the hood’s alignment, regulate it as vital, and guarantee all bolts are tightened to the desired torque values. By following these directions meticulously, you possibly can successfully swap out the hood in your 2009 Mercedes E350 and restore its pristine look.
Security Precautions and Instruments Required
Security Precautions
Previous to embarking on the hood swapout process, it’s crucial to prioritize security issues to attenuate potential hazards.
- Park the automobile on a degree and secure floor: Interact the parking brake to forestall unintended motion.
- Disconnect the battery: Find the battery terminals and take away the damaging cable to isolate {the electrical} system.
- Enable the engine to chill: The hood incorporates scorching elements, so it’s essential to attend till the engine has cooled all the way down to keep away from burns.
- Put on protecting gear: Make the most of security glasses to protect your eyes from falling particles and gloves to guard your fingers.
- Safe the work space: Clear away any obstacles across the automobile and guarantee there may be ample area to work safely.
- Examine the hood: Study the hood for any sharp edges or broken elements that might trigger harm.
Instruments Required
With a view to full the hood swapout efficiently, the next instruments are important:
| Device | Description |
|---|---|
| 10mm Socket Wrench | To take away the hood bolts |
| 13mm Socket Wrench | To take away the radiator help bolts |
| Torx T25 Bit | To take away the hood latch |
| Phillips Head Screwdriver | To take away the facet marker lights |
| Flathead Screwdriver | To pry open the grille |
| Wrenches (10mm and 13mm) | For extra leverage when eradicating bolts |
| Gloves | To guard fingers from sharp edges and scorching elements |
| Security Glasses | To guard eyes from falling particles |
Eradicating the Previous Hood
1. Disconnect the battery. Earlier than you start engaged on the hood, it is necessary to disconnect the battery to forestall any electrical accidents. To do that, find the damaging battery terminal and loosen the bolt that holds it in place. As soon as the terminal is free, take away it from the battery publish and set it apart.
2. Take away the hood latch. The hood latch is situated on the entrance of the hood, simply above the grille. To take away the latch, insert a screwdriver into the small gap on the facet of the latch and push down. The latch will pop open, and you’ll then take away it from the hood.
3. Take away the hood hinges. The hood hinges are situated on both facet of the hood, close to the windshield. To take away the hinges, unbolt them from the hood and the body of the automotive. As soon as the hinges are eliminated, you possibly can carry the hood off of the automotive.
| Instruments Wanted | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Screwdriver | half-hour |
Disconnecting the Gasoline Struts
1. **Find the fuel struts.** They’re situated on both facet of the hood, connecting it to the body of the automotive.
2. **Insert a screwdriver or pry bar into the small notch on the backside of the strut.** This may launch the strain on the strut, permitting you to take away it.
3. **Gently carry the hood whereas pulling the strut out of its socket.** Watch out to not let the hood fall all of a sudden, as this might injury it or the struts.
| **Tip:** It might be useful to make use of a second particular person to help you in holding the hood when you take away the struts. |
4. **Repeat the method for the opposite fuel strut.**
Eradicating the Hood Hinges
As soon as the hood is propped up, you can begin eradicating the hood hinges. To do that, find the bolts that safe the hinges to the hood and to the automotive itself. There can be 4 bolts on every hinge, for a complete of eight bolts.
Use a wrench to loosen the bolts, after which take away them by hand. As soon as the bolts are eliminated, you possibly can carry the hood off of the hinges. Watch out to not drop the hood, as it’s heavy.
4. Troubleshooting
In case your automotive does not have fuel struts, you could encounter issue when making an attempt to take away the hood. When lifting the hood and eradicating it from the hinges, it may fall and trigger injury. To keep away from the chance of harm, search help from one other particular person to allow them to show you how to maintain the hood up as you take away the bolts and detach it from the hinges.
| Motion | Be aware |
|---|---|
| Find the hinge bolts | Be conscious that there are a complete of eight bolts, 4 on every hinge. |
| Loosen and take away the bolts | Use a wrench to loosen the bolts first, adopted by eradicating them by hand. |
| Elevate the hood off the hinges | Warning: The hood is heavy, keep away from dropping it. In case your automobile lacks fuel struts, ask for help to help the hood throughout this step. |
Putting in the New Hood Hinges
The hood hinges are essential elements for the sleek operation of your automotive’s hood. This is the right way to set up the brand new hood hinges in your 2009 Mercedes E350:
1. Collect Instruments: Earlier than beginning, assemble the mandatory instruments, together with a socket wrench, hex keys, pliers, and a flathead screwdriver.
2. Take away Previous Hinges: Utilizing a socket wrench, fastidiously unbolt the previous hood hinges from the hood and fender. Be conscious to not injury some other elements.
3. Put together New Hinges: Align the brand new hood hinges on the corresponding mounting factors on the hood and fender.
4. Connect Hinges: Safe the brand new hinges utilizing the bolts offered. Begin by finger-tightening them after which use a socket wrench to completely tighten them.
5. Regulate Hinges (Superior): To make sure optimum hood alignment and operation, additional changes could also be vital:
5.1. Hood Alignment: Open and shut the hood a couple of instances to watch its alignment. If wanted, regulate the place of the hinges by loosening the bolts, realigning the hood, and re-tightening the bolts.
5.2. Hood Peak: Examine the hood’s top when closed. If vital, regulate the hinges by loosening the bolts, lifting or reducing the hood as required, and re-tightening the bolts.
5.3. Hood Latch Engagement: Confirm if the hood latch engages correctly when the hood is closed. If adjustment is critical, loosen the bolts, regulate the latch place, and re-tighten the bolts.
6. Ultimate Checks: As soon as all changes are full, examine the hood’s operation by opening and shutting it a number of instances. Guarantee it aligns accurately, closes securely, and the latch engages correctly.
Reattaching the Gasoline Struts
Now it is time to reattach the fuel struts to the hood. Struts can range barely from mannequin to mannequin, however they typically work in an analogous means.
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Find the underside of the fuel strut. It would have a ball-and-socket joint.
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Push the ball joint into the socket on the hood. You might want to make use of a bit of drive.
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Safe the fuel strut to the hood utilizing the bolts or screws that you just eliminated earlier.
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Repeat this course of for the opposite fuel strut.
Right here’s a desk summarizing the steps:
| Step | Motion |
|---|---|
| 1 | Find the underside of the fuel strut. |
| 2 | Push the ball joint into the socket on the hood. |
| 3 | Safe the fuel strut to the hood utilizing the bolts or screws. |
| 4 | Repeat for the opposite fuel strut. |
Aligning the New Hood
As soon as the brand new hood is in place, it’s important to align it correctly to make sure a easy and safe match. Comply with these detailed steps for exact alignment:
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Examine the Gaps Alongside the Sides: Open the doorways on each side of the automobile and visually examine the gaps between the hood and the fenders. Regulate the hood side-to-side as vital to realize even gaps on each side.
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Measure the Distance to the Grille: Use a measuring tape to confirm the gap between the hood and the grille. The gap must be constant on each side, making a flush and symmetrical look. Regulate the hood ahead or backward as wanted to realize the right distance.
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Consider the Alignment with the Headlamps: Observe the alignment of the hood with the headlamps. The hood ought to overlap the headlamps evenly on each side, with a constant hole across the edges. Regulate the hood as required to make sure correct alignment.
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Examine the Clearance on the Windshield: Open the hood barely and examine the clearance between the hood and the windshield. Regulate the hood up or down as vital to supply adequate clearance with out inflicting interference.
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Confirm the Latch Engagement: Shut the hood gently and confirm that the latch engages securely. The hood ought to shut easily and lock into place with out extreme drive. Regulate the latch or hood alignment as wanted to make sure correct latching.
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Tighten the Bolts: As soon as the hood is aligned, tighten the bolts that safe it to the hinges. Use a torque wrench to use the desired torque to forestall overtightening.
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Affirm Ultimate Alignment: With the hood absolutely closed, examine the alignment from numerous angles. Confirm that the gaps are even, the hood is flush with the encircling physique panels, and the headlamps are correctly aligned. Make any vital ultimate changes to realize optimum alignment and look.
Tightening the Bolts and Screws
As soon as the hood is aligned, it is time to tighten the bolts and screws. Comply with these steps fastidiously to make sure the hood is securely fixed in place:
- Utilizing a torque wrench with the suitable socket dimension, tighten the 2 bolts on the entrance of the hood to the desired torque (sometimes round 10 ft-lbs). These bolts maintain the hood hinge to the physique.
- Subsequent, tighten the 4 screws on the rear of the hood to the desired torque (sometimes round 5 ft-lbs). These screws safe the hood to the hinge.
- Use a flat-head screwdriver to tighten the 2 adjustment screws situated on the base of every hinge. These screws regulate the peak of the hood and be sure that the gaps are even on each side.
- As soon as all of the bolts and screws are tightened, double-check the hood alignment by opening and shutting it a number of instances. Be sure that the sides of the hood line up evenly with the fenders and that the gaps are constant all through.
Reattaching the Hood Latches
As soon as the hood is aligned and secured, it is time to reattach the hood latches. Comply with these steps to finish the method:
- Find the 2 hood latches on the within of the hood.
- Align the latches with the corresponding brackets on the physique of the automotive.
- Press down firmly on every latch to interact it into place.
- Examine the operation of the hood latches by opening and shutting the hood a number of instances.
| Device Required | Description |
|---|---|
| Torque Wrench | Used to tighten bolts and screws to the desired torque. |
| Socket Wrench Set | Used to take away and set up bolts and screws. |
| Flat-Head Screwdriver | Used to regulate the hood hinges. |
Checking for Correct Operation
As soon as the hood is put in, it is important to verify for correct operation earlier than driving the automobile. Comply with these steps to make sure the hood opens, closes, and latches securely:
1. **Open the Hood:** Pull the hood launch lever situated contained in the cabin close to the driving force’s seat. The hood ought to open easily and keep in place.
2. **Shut the Hood:** Rigorously decrease the hood till it’s a few inches away from closing. Push down evenly on each side of the hood to interact the latches.
3. **Interact the Security Latch:** Push the security latch lever within the middle of the hood in direction of the grille till it clicks into place. This may forestall the hood from by chance opening whereas driving.
4. **Take a look at the Latch:** Shut the hood utterly and attempt to open it by pulling up on the latch launch lever. The hood ought to stay closed.
5. **Examine the Hood Line:** Make sure that the hood is flush with the fenders and grille. There must be no gaps or misalignment.
6. **Affirm Indicator Mild:** Examine if the hood open indicator mild on the dashboard is turned off. If it stays on, there could also be a difficulty with the latch or sensor.
7. **Drive Take a look at:** Take the automobile for a brief drive and check the hood’s operation by opening and shutting it whereas the automotive is in movement. Be cautious and guarantee there isn’t a wind resistance that might have an effect on the hood’s motion.
8. **Repeated Testing:** Proceed checking the hood’s operation over a number of days to make sure it persistently opens, closes, and latches securely. This may assist establish any potential points.
9. **Search Skilled Assist:** In case you encounter any difficulties or issues with the hood’s operation, seek the advice of a professional mechanic or technician. They will diagnose and resolve any issues to make sure the security and performance of your automobile.
Troubleshooting
In case you encounter any points whereas swapping out the hood in your 09 Mercedes E350, confer with the next troubleshooting ideas:
- Problem eradicating the previous hood: Use a pry bar to softly pry up the hood alongside the sides to launch the clips.
- Alignment points: Reposition the hood and regulate the bolts and brackets till it aligns correctly with the fenders.
- Extreme vibration: Double-check the bolts and guarantee they’re tightened securely to forestall the hood from rattling.
Ideas
Listed here are some ideas to make sure a profitable hood swapout:
- Security first: Put on gloves and security glasses to guard your self from sharp edges and falling elements.
- Use the fitting instruments: Use a socket wrench, ratchet, and pry bar for optimum effectivity.
- Disconnect the battery: Keep away from electrical hazards by disconnecting the battery earlier than beginning the swap.
- Clear the hood latch: Take away any rust or particles from the hood latch to make sure easy operation.
- Assist the hood safely: Use a prop rod or bungee straps to forestall the hood from falling unexpectedly.
- Examine the hood match: Shut the hood and examine the alignment. Make changes as wanted to make sure a correct match.
- Tighten bolts regularly: Tighten the hood bolts evenly and regularly to keep away from bending or warping the hood.
- Lubricate the hood hinges: Apply a small quantity of grease to the hood hinges to make sure easy operation.
- Reconnect the battery: Reconnect the battery after the swap is full.
- Take a look at the hood: Open and shut the hood a number of instances to make sure correct operation and alignment.
Superior Tip: Portray the Hood
If the alternative hood requires portray, think about the next ideas:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sand the hood floor to take away any imperfections. |
| 2 | Prime the hood with a appropriate primer. |
| 3 | Apply a number of coats of paint, permitting every coat to dry completely. |
| 4 | Clear coat the hood to guard the paint from injury. |
How To Swapout A Hood On A 09 Mercedes E350
You will want the next instruments to exchange the hood in your 2009 Mercedes E350:
Step 1: Open the hood of your Mercedes E350.
Step 2: Find the 2 10mm bolts that maintain the hood hinges to the fenders.
Step 3: Take away the 2 10mm bolts.
Step 4: Find the 2 13mm nuts that maintain the hood hinges to the firewall.
Step 5: Take away the 2 13mm nuts.
Step 6: Rigorously carry the hood off of the hinges.
Step 7: Place the brand new hood on the hinges.
Step 8: Safe the hood hinges to the firewall with the 2 13mm nuts.
Step 9: Safe the hood hinges to the fenders with the 2 10mm bolts.
Step 10: Shut the hood and verify for correct match and operation.
Individuals Additionally Ask
How a lot does it value to exchange a hood on a Mercedes E350?
The price to exchange a hood on a Mercedes E350 will range relying on the 12 months and mannequin of your automobile, in addition to the situation of the restore store. Nonetheless, you possibly can count on to pay between $500 and $1,000 for the elements and labor.
Can I change a hood alone?
It’s potential to exchange a hood by yourself, however it is very important have the correct instruments and data earlier than making an attempt this restore. In case you are not snug working by yourself automobile, it’s best to take it to a professional mechanic.
How lengthy does it take to exchange a hood?
The time it takes to exchange a hood will range relying on the expertise of the mechanic and the situation of the automobile. Nonetheless, you possibly can count on the restore to take between 1 and a pair of hours.
