Upgrading your Mercedes E350 with a CL-style grill can significantly enhance its appearance. However, you might find that the stock hood latch sits too deep, making it a bit tricky to open the hood. This guide will walk you through the simple process of swapping out your hood latch for a longer version, ensuring it protrudes perfectly with your new grill and makes opening your hood a breeze. This DIY task is surprisingly easy and requires minimal tools, perfect for even novice car enthusiasts.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these simple tools:
- Small pliers
- Thin pick or awl
Step-by-Step Hood Latch Replacement
Follow these steps to easily replace your Mercedes E350 hood latch:
Step 1: Compare the Old and New Hood Latches
Take a moment to compare the new hood latch with your original one. You’ll immediately notice a difference in length. The new latch is designed to be longer, allowing it to extend further through your CL-style grill. Observe also the slight curve difference, which is crucial for proper protrusion.
Step 2: Insert the New Hood Latch
With the coiled wire correctly positioned between the two sliding holes of your new hood latch, carefully slide it back into the hinge pin. Note the arrow marking on the hood latch; this side should face upwards, becoming visible once installed and protruding through the grill.
Step 3: Ensure Correct Positioning for Grill Clearance
Before proceeding, it’s crucial to check if the longer new hood latch is correctly positioned to protrude through your grill opening. You might need to temporarily remove it from the hinge pin, adjust its position to ensure it’s in the ‘working’ alignment, and then re-insert it through the hinge pin. This step guarantees the latch will function correctly with your CL-style grill.
Step 4: Re-insert the Brass Horseshoe Clip
Now that you’ve confirmed the correct placement, it’s time to secure the coiled wire using the brass horseshoe clip. Re-insert this clip to hold the wire firmly in place.
Step 5: Secure the Brass Clip
Ensure the brass clip is fully inserted and properly ‘clipped’ into the hinge pin. This step is vital for the latch’s stability and functionality.
Step 6: Twist the Coiled Wire End
Using your small pliers, carefully twist the loose end of the coiled wire back into the small grooved hole, mirroring its original configuration. This action secures the coiled wire, brass clip, and hood latch, ensuring all components are held firmly together.
Step 7: Test the Hood Latch Protrusion
Now, test your hood release. You should observe the new hood latch protruding further through your CL-style grill, exactly as intended by Mercedes-Benz for this upgrade. This enhanced protrusion will make it significantly easier to access and lift your hood.
Step 8: Final Check and Hood Operation
Remember to always lift your hood by the metal frame, avoiding leverage on the hood latch or the CL-style grill to prevent any damage.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve successfully swapped out your hood latch in approximately 15 minutes with just a couple of simple tools. This easy upgrade makes a noticeable difference in the usability of your hood, especially after installing a CL-style grill on your 2009 Mercedes E350. Enjoy the enhanced look and functionality of your car!
