what am I doing wrong?

[Bob McCarty]

The hood usually bulges out when it has not been attached to the radiator supports, or the bracket on the inside of the hood has popped loose from the hood. I'd suggest taking a bar clamp if you have one, cover the ends with tape if you don't have the rubber covers and use that above the doglegs to gentlely pull both sides in symmetrically. You may also be able to do it by placing a hand on either side and pushing in. With either way, have the grill off, and at least the top of the doglegs unscrewed.

Bob

[gcbailey]

The hood usually bulges out when it has not been attached to the radiator supports, or the bracket on the inside of the hood has popped loose from the hood. I'd suggest taking a bar clamp if you have one, cover the ends with tape if you don't have the rubber covers and use that above the doglegs to gentlely pull both sides in symmetrically. You may also be able to do it by placing a hand on either side and pushing in. With either way, have the grill off, and at least the top of the doglegs unscrewed.

Bob

if you look back on the 1st page, you can see in one of the pics where the hood is bulging out with the dogleg attached, is it possible that the hood is sitting too low and exaggerating the bow effect with the doglegs attached (putting more strain, causing bulging?).

[Yogie]

I picked up a new Ebay grill several years ago that wouldn't come near fitting my cub. Seems a lot of the after markets are just to short to reach the screws.
I'd resale it and start shopping for an original.

[Bob McCarty]

If the hood still has the brackets to attach it to the radiator supports, and they are in the correct position, I don't think the hood can be sitting too low. My only other suggestion is to removed the finish washers to make sure the tabs aren't catching on them, and get a friend over with a second pair of hands to help you push/pull things into place. Since this grill is from TM, it should fit correctly, Tom is very picky about the products he sells.

Bob

[Rudi]

Gary:

I was looking for the How To - on fitting the grille that Bruce Sanford did but it is gone - looks like permanent. However, you really need to lose those washers and get some proper truss head screws for the grille. Tom is extremely picky about the items he stocks to sell to the Cub community. That grille should fit. Jut a matter of figuring out what needs to be done. Took me a couple dozen or so tries to get Ellie's fitted correctly.



The bow is pretty apparent here.

[Dale Shaw]

Have you tried mounting the grille to the doglegs, then mounting the doglegs and grille onto the tractor?

[gcbailey]

Have you tried mounting the grille to the doglegs, then mounting the doglegs and grille onto the tractor?

yes....

----------------

I don't remember if I've mentioned it, but has anyone noticed on one of the top view pics of the hood, in my 1st set of posted pictures, how the hood is off from the radiator and air cleaner. Shouldn't the hood be centered over the radiator opening? Maybe I'm just reading too much into it....

I should have some time tomorrow to get back to looking at everything.

@ Rudi.... I've got some truss head screws ordered, Lowe's or TSC doesn't stock any around here, and that's about the only options.

[Boss Hog]

Yopu do not have to use truss head screws, washers work fine. That is not the problem. The hood needs to be shifted to the right a bit from looking at the front of the cub, would be to the left setting on the seat. do not be fearfull of getting a bit rough with it , crowbar

[gcbailey]

Boss, but I hate cleaning those paint guns soooooo much! haha.

[Rob in NH]

do what yogie said and get a used one.

[Jim Becker]

The hood needs to be shifted to the right a bit from looking at the front of the cub, would be to the left setting on the seat.

The fit at the radiator neck suggests what Boss said. At least one picture of the grille seems to suggest just the opposite. Use a carpenter's square to check the supports on each side of the radiator, as the radiator itself may be sprung. You will probably find what Boss said is correct. Once you correct the hood alignment, you will probably still need to correct the bulge on each side like I said on Wednesday.

If you think the new grille is somehow defective, try fitting your original grille. Once it fits, you can retry the new one.

[Dale Shaw]

I have been studying the picture of the front of the cub. I have circled in white where the hood attaches to the radiator supports. As seen in the pic, facing the tractor there is a much greater space between the rad support and the hood on the left side than the right.

The hood needs to be shoved over to the right


At the same time, the radiator suports look to me to be leaning left (as if it had been on its side at one time)

I know I am working off pictures, and could be confused by the angle of the dangle. Heck it is hard without hands on

[gcbailey]

Dale... the tires are low, one side lower than the other in that pic, I will check that out when I get home.... use washers to correct it?

I will get all that looked it when I get home. Is there any other ways to tell if it's been on its side?

[JackF]

I’m wondering if the bracket that bolts on to the radiator shroud was once broken off at the hood at one time and welded back in the wrong place. I just did one like that. You can see where the bracket was bolted back on after it broke away from the hood.



After the fix.