I first thought it was the hood, but now I see that when in the stowed position the hood prop rod touches that large black plastic trim panel that spans horizontally between the grill and the radiator top. There are now rub marks to the right of the latch mechanism on that trim panel.

Has anyone else noticed this, and if so what did you do about it?

I tried sliding some black rubber shrink-wrap tubing over the rod to that spot and heating it, but I don't think it provides enough thickness. I realize that installing a hood strut rod support kit would eliminate the issue...

 

You could get a small rubber bumper and attach it to the radiator cover so the prop rod would rest on it and then it wouldn't let the prop rod and the cover rub against each other.

Best all around is to get the hood shocks conversion kit to put on it and do away with the rod.

 

You can buy the little rubber dots, with glue on the back, used to cushion cabinet doors. Any hardware store will have them. Very cheap fix. Just clean the plastic part with alcohol, to remove grease, wax residue, before attaching the dots. I use them to cushion the license plate, on the rear, which keeps the plate from touching the paint. I know really ****

 

Same here... had if from day one! The Steeda Hood Struts did the trick... no more prop rod!

 

Use a 1/4 in x 2 in piece of rubber tubing thats what I did.

 

Only problem is, once you get the struts and remove the prop rod, you have the unsightly scratch marks visible.

 

From day one, I used clear tubing like from fish tanks and wrapped the hook of the prop rod on mine. Never left a mark and was not as noticeable being clear and all.

 

I'm in the same boat here, they've been there since day one and too have some fine scratches that won't go away. My life has been miserable since then.

 

I found a solution that works great. Head down to Radio Shack and buy a bag of miscellaneous sized rubber grommets for less than $2. You'll find 5 or so that will fit on the prop. Slide each one down the prop positioning them apart evenly. The prop will no longer touch the plastic panel but will still easily snap into the stowed position clip.