[RJD]

What you describe is a common problem with this particular type of Chrome Latch Spring. I purchased a set last year (August 04) from a seller in Toms River NJ, via e-bay, and upon installing same found that the pins from the Chrome Latch Spring would not easily fit into the H2s OEM Chrome Latch Top and Bottom pieces.

The solution is to get a small circular file, one that is smaller in diameter at the beginning yet gets wider towards the middle / end, that can be easily inserted into the holes of the Chrome Latch Top and Bottom pieces and then file the holes in the Chrome Latch Top and Bottom pieces just a little (about three or four times by inserting the circular file into the hole and moving it in and out with a circular, twisting motion). Then apply a very, very small amount of oil (any will do) to the Chrome Latch Spring pins with your finger, and the pins from the Chrome Latch Spring will easily yet snugly fit into the Chrome Latch Top and Bottom pieces.

You should also put a small amount of oil into the top opening of each of the Chrome Latch Spring housings to prevent them from rusting and seizing. This is a common problem since these open holes will allow water into the inner housing of the spring, which over time will cause rusting and seizing of the springs. I did not do that originally, and the bottom portion of the Chrome Latch Spring just last week separated from the top housing and fell off the hood, taking with it the bottom Chrome Latch.

Also be sure to tighten the small hex nuts (top and bottom) on the back of the Chrome Latch Springs that hold the pins. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN, ALLOW FOR SOME SLIGHT SHIFTING OF THE TWO PINS AS WELL AS MOVEMENT OF THE PINS WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD.

When you reinstall the top Chrome Latch (with the Chrome Latch Spring attached) to your hood, do not tighten the two Chrome Latch nuts all the way. You should then close your hood fully and place a large piece of white masking tape on the hood directly under the Chrome Latch Spring for adjustment purposes. Close the bottom Chrome Latch fully and align the Chrome Latch Spring so that it fits snug and is straight not crooked. Mark the outline of both sides of the Chrome Hood Spring with a pencil on the masking tape and then open the hood and tighten the top Chrome Latch making sure the Chrome Latch Spring is aligned perfectly with the pencil marks on the white masking tape. It should now fit perfectly straight!

Once or twice a year, just add a small amount of oil to the top opening of the Chrome Hood Springs in order to prevent / minimize any rusting of the inner spring.