Abstract: A latch assembly for connecting a hood assembly to a truck includes a striker bolt that is surrounded by a sleeve that is engaged by a rotary latch. The sleeve is of shorter length than the striker bolt so that it can slide along the striker bolt. The rotary latch fixedly engages the sleeve so that any relative motion between the hood and frame translates to movement of the sleeve along the striker bolt rather than between the rotary latch and striker bolt. The sleeve arrangement thus provides wear protection to rotary latch, allows for self alignment of the hood and fender assembly along the striker bolt axis and dynamic movement of the latch during vehicle operation.