[bigfish95971]

They need lubrication so they drop into place correctly.

 

[bigfish95971]

Is that like WD? Get both(all) sides of all pivots. Add grease soon. If it is due probably door hinges are too.

 

[bigfish95971]

How big is the gap and is it uneven from front to rear?

 

[bigfish95971]

Does the front move around at all up and down when fully latched? Half inch may be a bit much but only an 1/8 of an inch if that. There si suppsoed to be a gap so that sheet metal does not rub on sheet metal when the truck twists and rolls. It should only touch in the front latch, the two rubber front stops and the hinges, nowhere esle other than if there is a couple of rubber stops attached at the sides of the hood inside the edges.
Just looked at mine and a half is about right. Fender is shaped and painted white so not to show the crack a lot.
Front pads are adjustable to make the latch tight and use a #4 phillips ratchet.