Finally fixed, thanks in large part to wdtony
I wanted to add to wdtony's excellent description above. I'm selling my car so finally developed the motivation to fix this pesky little problem so the next owner doesn't have to use a clothesline to close their hood, as I have been for the last 10 years.
The deflection problem this thread focuses on is also the focus of this excellent YouTube video, which I suggest watching first:
https://youtu.be/_qpTGMAQJQ0
The primary problem if the hood won't close and the latch is deflecting rearwards is that the hood needs to go backwards or the latch needs to come forward. Both of these can be done. I would start with whichever one is more likely your problem. In my case, a body shop removed my hood and someone backed into my car in a parking lot, so I thought I'd probably have to do both. If your problems started after someone backs into your front bumper and bends your radiator support, misplacing the hood latch, I'd probably start with shimming the hood latch.
Adjusting hood:
Step 1: Loosen the two bolts on each side that hold hood-to-hinge after marking the current outline of the bracket with a Sharpie just in case:
Step 2: Now get a second person to help you. Pop-off the hood strut off by using a flat head screwdriver to remove retaining clip and tuck out of the way (can do lower as pictured or upper (mine was rusted so I avoided it)). Note: The other two hinge bolts (hinge-to-body) are more difficult to access and don't need to be touched to make small adjustments, although Bentley manual suggests that these bolt holes are also slotted to allow ajustments, if needed.
Step 3: The hood can now slide fore-and-aft a few mm (may need a rubber mallet to break it free). With the hood down but not engaging the latch, slide it backwards, while keeping it aligned left-to-right with fenders. Retighten and repeat adjustments as needed. Make sure the hood isn't so far back that its rearmost edge rubs against the plastic cowl when fully open.
Adjusting latch forward: The YouTube video above makes this very clear. Here's a picture of mine (shims (i.e. washers) indicated by orange arrows)
Other alignment issues can be vertical or left-to-right. These can also be adjusted at the latch
or the hood:
- On the latch, its three bolt holes are slotted to get some up-and-down and side-to-side movement
- On the hood, left-to-right via hinge bolts, vertical via the rubber bumpers on the ends of the hood which can be screwed in and out.