Why are GW hood ornaments spring loaded?

[Mdcptman]

Why the spring on hood ornaments? Why arent they mounted solid? I broke mine yesterday, and I found that it is held on by a spring and VERY small piece of weak metal that the spring goes thru. I put out a call on another post for a replacement, but im thinking if drilling it and mounting it solid. Why wont this work?

[Nutz-n-Bolts]

Granted this is just my opinion but, I'd guess it's so when you’re working around your hood and your arm bumps it, it just doesn’t immediately break off. The spring lets it start to flop until you realize what your doing and back off. Sorry to hear yours let go. Too many bumps I guess.

[tgreese]

I suspect it's a safety issue. Rigid mounting would be more dangerous in a pedestrian collision.

[jaber]

I suspect it's a safety issue. Rigid mounting would be more dangerous in a pedestrian collision.

Or break off at the first tree branch when going through the yard...

[Mdcptman]

I suspect it's a safety issue. Rigid mounting would be more dangerous in a pedestrian collision.

Really, I gotta think that if I hit a pedestrian with this tank, they are gonna have more to worry about than the hood ornament.

[tgreese]

I suspect it's a safety issue. Rigid mounting would be more dangerous in a pedestrian collision.

Really, I gotta think that if I hit a pedestrian with this tank, they are gonna have more to worry about than the hood ornament.

Up to you. Could have liability issues if you rigid mount and injure someone.

JMO - should be easy enough to fix the spring.

[Mdcptman]

Its not the spring, its the hole that it hooks into that broke off. Im not sure i can figure out a way to get the spring to attach another way. but im open to suggestions!!!

[Fleg]

Glue or JB weld!

[serehill]

I drilled & tapped mine

[Mdcptman]

I drilled & tapped mine

That makes me feel better about it. Im gonna do it.

[haminawag]

Lots of cars have spring loaded hood ornaments, they're designed that way so that they'll survive rotary car washes and any other hazards rather than having to replace the entire hood due to sheet metal damage. The first cars I saw with them were Mercedes Benz's and Jaguars, then the Americans caught on to the idea. But it's the Rolls Royces that take the cake, when you shut the engine off a little door under the ornament slides open and the whole thing drops down inside the radiator shell, presumably to rest on a velvet sofa in air conditioned comfort.

[Locked and Loaded]

When you go past 100 mph it folds down. Thus getting better gas mileage.

[Mdcptman]

When you go past 100 mph it folds down. Thus getting better gas mileage.

This. No doubt. This is the reason. The airfoil the ornament creates as it leans backward in the wind helps to keep the front wheels firmly planted at 100+mph. They thought of everything.....