lkfoster

My access panel had press-fit plastic plug as the security device.

The hood was anything but light and it took two people to first open it. The release cable just released the first catch put I needed the wife to pull it while I opened the hood past the second latch.

LAZARU5

That explains why some of us have not seen the hatch secured. Once a dealer removes the press-fit plug they probably toss it since its a nuisance to deal with and the hatch stays closed without it. I went one step further and yanked the hatch out and tossed it in the compartment below the rear cargo area.

MB37

I have the sedan, so I don't know if it makes a difference in weight. It is also made of aluminum. It was very light to open for me, and I'm not a body builder by any means. Just the average slim fit guy. The problem, however, is holding up for a long time while trying to shine a flashlight. I guess the more vertical it is positioned, the lighter it becomes too because of the physics.

I'm going to try to get MB to put a prop or air struts on these EQ via formal methods. I don't know of a car that the hood can open without special tools yet nothing to hold it open. It's really a safety concern. In addition, there are serviceable parts like the HEPA filter under the hood.

LAZARU5

I seriously doubt if MB will provide a prop or struts, it's not in their DNA to concede that a customer could have a better idea about anything let alone hood struts. I do agree with you that the hood does present some safety issues. The hood could unexpectedly close killing or injuring someone. The dealer technicians are probably most at risk. Another issue is there is not a safety latch at the front edge of the hood. Once the primary latch is released the hood is free to open. I submitted a complaint to NHSTA about this second issue, but it's unlikely to get any attention unless an accident is reported.

lkfoster

My EQS heads a two stage latch both released by the cable. There's no spring-assist at the second stage, I needed the wife pulling on the cable so I could open the hood.

LAZARU5

That's not the case with the EQS SUV. Opening the hood is a one-person operation. Pull the red lever under the dash, lift the hood from the front of the car. No secondary safety latch.

lkfoster

Maybe on yours but my 4/23 build date 580 SUV hood has a second stage latch and no spring assist. No lever either, just a cable with a barrel end just like the cables on my mountain bike shifters.

LAZARU5

That's interesting. The early EQS SUVs were probably using parts from the ICE SUV hoods. Is the ball stud still included on the hinge assembly? Is the M8x1.25 threaded hole where I mounted a ball stud still on the inner fender? If do, the hood strut installation described at the beginning of the thread should still be possible.

MB37

I have a ball strut end on my hood but nothing on the fender side. We are going to look at some class actions here and at least have MB recall for more hood safety. My hood does not have the second latch and it is the 4/23 build sedan. Even a Ford Pinto had a prop.

Crito

First thing their lawyer is going to ask in court is whether you read and followed the instructions for opening the hood in your owner's manual.

Utopia Texas

But I had to open the hood when I changed the engine oil! 😊

MB37

I had to open the hood because the cops demanded me; I was hiding drugs and other illegal items. He also thought I illegally modded my engine. I had to open the hood because my hamster crawled up in it. I had to open the hood because I had to change my hepa filter and clean out the leaves. I'm here to claim my hood struts and prop. My fingers and head were injured because there were nothing safe to hold up the hood. I am 'a specialist.' MB never mentioned that it has to be an authorized MB technician. And by the way, whiling you're putting in the struts as part of the recall, go ahead and add a second latch hood per NHTSA.

LAZARU5

Is it possible that MB complies with government regulations without a secondary latch because there are two primary latches, one on each end of the leading edge of the hood?

MB37

My BMWs have two latches on each side but still requires a secondary lever (latch system) at the hood front edge to open. I think per NHTSA, MB has not complied with federal law on EQ vehicles that do not have secondary latches. They may just come back and say that it's not meant to be open and therefore, they don't have to comply with the specific law.

The bean counters at work.