problem w/ closing hood

This is bugging me, and I've been told by the service guys that you HAVE TO drop-close the hood from a reasonable height for it to close and that letting it down easy and then pushing down on it won't close it. Uhm, design problem? (Same w/ the Escape I looked at in a showroom.)<br><br>Anyway, there are SOOO many other vehicles (cars & SUV's alike) that I have easily been able to just push-close the hoods. What's the deal? A couple of members here posted that they can close their hoods easily by just pushing down on 'em. Was anything "fixed" then?<br><br>If this is a design problem from Ford/Mazda, then I guess I can accept it (for now); but if it isn't, then do I always have to show the service people that what they consider "normal" isn't? 'Almost feels like I'm doing some of the diagnosis for them half the time.<br><br>Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. :)

The bug deflector on my hood doesn't look like it'll withstand regular dropping of the hood for it to close. The instructions for the bug deflector discourages slamming the hood in this manner as well. It isn't an expensive accessory, but I'd rather keep everything I've added on the Trib in the best condition possible. Anyway, I've also been accustomed to being able to just push-close all the hoods I've ever had my hands on. In the NYC auto show, for example, *all* the vehicles that I checked and inspected under the hood I've been able to gently close the hoods as described. 'Wondering if the Tribute/Escape hood is a design problem which I'll just have to live with until I find a solution ... or if someone else out there has found a solution or their dealers made some adjustments. Anyone? :)

Its got to be a design flaw or mis-aligned part. Requiring it to drop is just plain stupid. Can you say unnecessary abuse of the hood, latch and hinges?

In addition to the Trib, I have a 97 T&C van.<br><br>The hood closes the same way, 10" drop close.<br><br>I probably has something to do with compressing the spring for the secondary hood latch.<br><br>Greg

orliec,<br><br>i'll be going to wantagh mazda tomorrow to have this hood issue looked into. i'll let you know their findings.<br><br>btw, installed the x-pel shields. fog light shields were easy, head lamps were not so easy. ended up ok, but with some air bubbles that i just could not remove.<br><br>what did you do to remove the air bubbles?<br><br>tnx.

Orliec, what's the big deal about drop closing your hood?? Why is that such a problem? Just curious.

The hood on mine closes easily, and can also be easily push-closed, even when I have the extra bulk around the seams of the hood and fenders from the front mask. So, I would say it is possible to adjust this on the Tribs.<br><br>My Mustang, on the other hand, needs to be drop closed from a good 12-18 inches, worse with the front end mask -- I wince every time I shut it. I've had that looked at several times with no improvement -- probably a different design.