get a can of WD-40 with the little plastic tube that you put into the area that need some clenaing and then squirt it real good.. then start moving the hood a little at a time until it starts moving easily... once you get it to move with not problem then the problem of the old dirty grease on the hinges is solved.. you then put some new greas on it and move the hood up and down... and yes you will bend the hood if you let them rust up.. i had junker car in the back yard for about 5 yrs. without using it.. opened the hood and it snapped as the hinges were rust and frozen....
