[SilverStar]

topping off the p/s fluid the other day when i noticed a big chunk of the hood pad on the radiator. it was dry and when i touched it it basically disentegrated in my hand!!!

two questions:
how could this have happened (dryness)??
and am in need of replacing asap??

cheers

 

[jhodg5ck]

It just happens...to all of them. Doesn't need to be replaced, but I like to do it on my cars sooner rather then later. There are two versions out there, the aftermarket which doesn't have the honeycomb look, and the original which is an exact replacement. I'm partial to the OE/MB version.

Jonathan

 

[SilverStar]

sounds good. the fact that it is not urgent is what i was looking for. i have too many things on my plate that requires my immdeiate attention than some hood pad. don't get me wrong i am all about keeping things stock and in good condition but when you have another car that doesn't even start or run properly due to a dire need of a major tune-up a hood pad isn't the biggest concern!!

 

[jhodg5ck]

Quite[]

 

[amgbnz]

you don't want that hood pad to come off while you are driving on the highway. it could get into the fan and choke the engine.

it is a cheap and easy replacement. i would do it.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Usually, I have found once they reach that level of crispness any piece that hits the fan will disassociate into thousands of little pieces..

The genuine pad is about 90$ and about 12$ for the can of 3M super 90..Oh, and some plastic putty knives and a container of lacquer thinner to help get the old goo off.. I put the thinner in a spray bottle (pref. one that has a heavy setting) and soak the goo a few times before working on localized area's w/ the sprayer and said scraper.

Jonathan

 

[w108]

The pad will prevent the hood's paint from being damaged from heat from your engine, I'd highly recommend replacing it asap to prevent this.

Tory

 

[jhodg5ck]

I was of the same opinion until I started to see a number of cars sans hood pad..one's that have been as such for quite some time.
Their paint was in fine condition. I think in some cars, like the late 450SL's w/ the cat's too far upstream it's more of a problem/concern, but these cars don't seem to cook things quite as badly.

Jonathan

 

[w108]

That's cool to know.

My 280SE 4.5's V8 on my 108 is related to the V8's on the 126's and did end up cooking the hood's paint pretty good without the pad before I did restore it. The pad is also for noise dampening and for a little insulation in colder weather - guess it's just a personal choice if you want one again []

Tory

 

[jdc1244]

Going w/o a pad is fine provided the area under the hood was clean and painted. When the pad falls off what is underneath is ugly. It’s easier to just replace the pad.

 

[wash_me]

I was wanting to remove my and paint the underside for shows but that glue stuff look like alot work to remove.

 

[MRTIKKET]

I keep reading these posts about how easy they are to replace. I stopped in to the shop while mine was being replaced. Doesn't look easy to me. He must have scraped for more than an hour. Then smoothed out the surface, then replaced the pad.

Seems like alot of hard work to me.

 

[H-TownBenzoboy]

Replacing the hood pad is quite a bit of work. But, if you're going go ahead and do the work, remember to place a tarp over the engine bay and windsheild. It also helps to have a second person assist you.
-Joe

 

[midnight0000]

I used 2 clothes hangers to hold my hood pad up and they work perfectly. I will have to look at how I placed them and maybe get a picture that I can post but it is cheap simple and reliable till you can afford a new one. If I remember correctly there is a cross-member where the pad ends toward the grill. On mine there was enough space to wedge one of the arms of the hanger between it and the hood skin and the rest of the hanger will hold up the pad. I will verify after I look and make sure of the placement of my hangers. Hopefully I can get a picture but I do not know how to post it yet.