On occasion I have seen contributors ask about replacing a broken hood latch spring. Dealers have sometimes given high quotes to replace the item - probably, mainly for labor. Some contributors have gone so far as to visit salvage yards to get the part - but that's just not necessary. It is the simplest of DIYs, and the assembly was only $10.00 from my dealer.
The mechanism is made of two ABS plastic components and a powerful metal spring. The assembly fails when a plastic tab on the plunger that holds the spring in place breaks. The spring and the plunger can shoot out with considerable force if the hood is open when the break occurs (as happened to a detailer today when he accidentally hit my spring assembly from the side with a tool while sprucing up the engine compartment).
Not to worry. The photo below is the new hood latch spring assembly, installed (my '05 has only one; some models other than the W220 may have two) - but the pdf below the photo shows how to replace it - literally a 2-minute job. For the mechanically inclined, the photo alone probably tells you all you need to know.
The mechanism is made of two ABS plastic components and a powerful metal spring. The assembly fails when a plastic tab on the plunger that holds the spring in place breaks. The spring and the plunger can shoot out with considerable force if the hood is open when the break occurs (as happened to a detailer today when he accidentally hit my spring assembly from the side with a tool while sprucing up the engine compartment).
Not to worry. The photo below is the new hood latch spring assembly, installed (my '05 has only one; some models other than the W220 may have two) - but the pdf below the photo shows how to replace it - literally a 2-minute job. For the mechanically inclined, the photo alone probably tells you all you need to know.
