Lubing the Front Hood Latch on an Xterra

The Nissan Xterra is a popular SUV sold in the United States since 2000. As a traditional body on frame truck, it possesses superior off-road prowess compared with more street-friendly crossover-type vehicles. A common issue on the Xterra is squeaking and groaning from the vehicle's hood, caused by a misaligned or dry hood latch. By adjusting the latch in conjunction with lubing the latch assembly and hood stops, you can cure any audible squeaks from the Xterra's hood.

Instructions

1

Park the Xterra in a well-lit area and open the hood by pulling the hood release lever, located in the cabin below the steering wheel. Open the hood. Use the hood prop to hold the hood in the upright position.

2

Locate the hood latch. The hood latch sits in the center of the front of the engine bay, immediately behind the front grille. It is a wide metal assembly with a U-shaped center receiver catch and a release handle. The assembly is bolted to the front crossmember with three 12 mm bolts.

3

Examine the latch for damage. Before lubricating the assembly, you should make sure it is not damaged. The three bolt holes that secure the latch are slotted to allow the latch to be moved up or down to ensure the hood lines up evenly. Use a 12 mm socket to ensure all three bolts are tighten, as a loose latch can squeak under the weight of the Xterra's hood.

4

Spray the hood latch mechanism liberally with WD-40 or similar lubricant and allow the lubricant to penetrate for one minute. Activate the release lever while spraying lubricant on the release hinge of the latch.

5

Place a dab of silicone grease on the rubber stops located along the edges of the hood, and on the indentations on the Xterra's body where the hood stops come in contact. The rubber stops will become dry over time, and can squeak due to movement when the vehicle is in operation. Place a dab of grease at the bottom of the U-shaped receiver catch on the latch assembly.

6

Close the hood and drive the vehicle to determine if the squeaking has been eliminated.