Absolutely Puzzling 2020 'Hood Ding Phenomena'

[Isuzu Faster]

Hello all,

This year has been an incredible one so far, and as far as my truck goes, I have ended up with two significant dents in similar locations on my hood on two separate occasions, and I have been extremely confused (because I can't wrap my head around why exactly this happens).

First time happened at the beginning of the year when I took the truck to a shop to get it smogged... didn't notice the huge double-ding right on the center vane of the hood until the next day. Had a Paintless Dent Removal specialist remove it a few weeks later for $200.

Then, by golly, it happened again yesterday! Different mechanic, but one I've been taking the truck to a number of times over the years with no problems at all. Similar area but slightly smaller in size. I'm screaming inside

When I close the hood of my truck, I just drop the hood from about a foot above the latch, and it closes perfectly every time. I have a feeling people are doing a "soft close", and pushing the hood with the flat of their hand or using their fists to latch it, and when it doesn't perfectly latch, they put all their weight on it. But... the hood shouldn't be as soft as a Tesla or new car these days...or is it? I just lubed the mechanism too.

Have you all encountered anything like this?

Ding 1.PNG

Ding 2.JPG

[hillbillie1]

Possibly rubber bumpers in corners of the hood.
Rubber Hard,,,,try turning them in little.
Mike

[Isuzu Faster]

Mike, the rubber bumpers have been as they were for several years, and I've never had any problems like this whatsoever until this year.

What on earth are these people doing when closing the hood?!

[puttputtinpup]

I'd make them pay for that! There's no excuse for that

[Isuzu Faster]

Sadly, we live in a world where "once it's off the lot, it's not our problem!"

Really though, two times in less than half a year. There must be an underlying cause here... but it latches just fine if you just drop it normally. So why?

This is more interesting to me than solving the Bermuda Triangle mystery. I just can't wrap my head around it.

[puttputtinpup]

Maybe they've banged on it to try & open it

[Isuzu Faster]

Possibly for the first one (the cable was pretty dry at the time but with enough pull would release the latch), but as for the second one, it's an older guy in our neighborhood who's done work on the truck a number of times over the past 25 years... and I lubed the mechanism after the first incident.

[Red Truck]

When getting it serviced, is it left overnight in an outdoor lot? Perhaps somebody's trying to force the hood open regardless of the latch, causing the metal to 'pucker'. I'd still mention it to the business; you may not be the only one affected.

[Isuzu Faster]

Neither. First one I was out the door in 35 minutes, quick California smog. Didn't notice the huge ding until the next morning.

Second one I left it with the guy a couple days ago at 10:30am and got it back at 3:30pm (had the guy replace the brake master cylinder as it failed and I didn't have time to swap it myself). One-man operation down the street from me, and a good neighborhood.

[Isuzu Faster]

Follow-up: Successfully got the dents out today. I'm going to create a big letter-size stick-on magnet saying "Do not push down on hood under any circumstances, or you're paying for it!" Thank goodness for paintless dent repair!

[kanniedood22]

Er, Steve, I don't know how this is gonna help you, man, but... I... I... sheesh man... you know... I gotta tell you: I never drop my hood! Mine gets gently 'placed' and then receives a firm push to lock it in. Why? Because I had a deep dent repaired which came with the truck. The panel beater said never to drop it hard or it could crack over time. It's been a while now & I haven't had any dents like you. My hood is a little skew though... maybe that helps.

[kanniedood22]

You know, I'm wondering if it could be caused by the hood being left open for a long period. Earlier this year my truck was in a workshop for a new alternator & some TLC for my diesel pump(heavy TLC .) So, when I got it back I noticed two very small bumps on the driver's side of my bonnet. Not really a hindrance now, but still, thought I should share. Yes, I know it's not the same place as yours, & your 'dings' sound much more severe, but could it perhaps be that there is some strain from being left open, for a long time, causing the dings? My bonnet was standing open for about a month. In my case, I'm 99% ruling out the method of closing. PS. My (truck's) hinges have a little rust damage &, again, by a few millimetres, my bonnet is slightly off-centre... Much Isuzu love. Beige rocks. X