How to adjust hood latch on '99 Subaru Outback?

[bad81637]

Hi. This started several weeks ago. I have to really slam the hood on my '99 Outback for the hood to fully latch. I checked the two rubber bumpers to make sure that they're not sticking up too far. I also found three bolts that secure the latch mechanism and I was able to loosen these and raise the mechanism about 1/8" but this didn't help. Any ideas??

Thanks!
Spraying with WD-40 didn't help. Seems like something is out of alignment.

 

[smckech1972]

Did you try spraying some WD-40 on the latch itself? Maybe the latch itself is sticking and when you slam it down, the action causes the latch to catch.

 

[Mike M]

Yea.You don't need to raise it, but lower the latch. If you lower it down as far as it will go and it still won't latch then put a big screw driver or a bar under the the part that the upper latch hooks to and try prying up on it just a little.Not too much.