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Topic: Hood cable failure...

in Forum: C4 Body


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Hood cable failure... (1/5)
 3/5/18 9:54am
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246

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So....Saturday, I needed to get Mama's '85 out for it's annual State Inspection. I pull the cover off pull the hood release so I can disconnect the battery maintainer, and.....passenger side pops up, driver side do not. Fool with the durn thing for 30 minutes and finally decide the cable must be messed up. Tried to pop the latch with the hood release tool from the door, but no luck there. Gave up, and pulled the wheel off, and then both the upper and lower inner fenderwell pieces. From there I could reach up past the cruize control and pull the latch open. One the hood was open, I could see the problem.

Not having a spare cable, nor the time to change it, I had to come up with a temporary solution, and I did. I pulled the cable snug, and used a hose clamp to clamp the cable to the cross brace next to the battery. It ain't purdy, but it did the job. I can now open the hood if needed, until the new cable arrives......and I find time to swap them out. Just wanted to share this wid youse guys & gals in case your's happens to fail on the road, or in your driveway. This will get you by until you can replace the cable.  Wink


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Joel Adams  
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Re: Hood cable failure... (2/5)
 3/6/18 9:18am
Black Shark
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Vette(s):
Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611

Good write up.
And thanks for taking the time to post pics.
Re: Hood cable failure... (3/5)
 3/6/18 6:46pm
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246

I wuz kinda in a bind for time, and not just a LITTLE aggravated, or I would have taken pics of removing the wheel wells and stuff. It ain't that much to that anyway, but would be nice for others to see. New cable will prolly be here tomorrow, so I may get some pics of the wheel wells then. 
The post was really meant to show how it could be "rigged" in an emergency situation so the hood release would be function-able. There are "emergency" aftermarket cable kits available that you can install, and access thru the wiper area if the main cable(s) break. Some folks have also installed zip ties and such for the same purpose. However....imho, those things sure would make it easy for some low-life to gain access to the underhood area....
More than one way to skin a cat....Wink


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Joel Adams  
My Link

 
   
(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Hood cable failure... (4/5)
 3/7/18 7:13am
aldocar
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Joined: 12/3/2016
Posts: 92

  I always wondered how you would open the hood if the cable broke now I know. My first part that I purchased for my 88 was the emergency release cable kit, I was thinking about making them when I saw them but decided to  pay the 20 dollars, easy install and they sit just under the hood. My biggest fear at my age is having one of those monster tires fall on me and I can't get up.  Nice job in solving a question I always had.

Take care!!!

|UPDATED|3/7/2018 8:13:16 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: Hood cable failure... (5/5)
 3/10/18 6:34pm
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246

Otay...here's big time PSA for anyone with an '84-96 Corvette. If you buy/order the Dorman 912-030 hood release cable....it DOES NOT FIT the '85. Censored Angry Censored Angry
Don't care WHAT their book says, it will NOT work without MAJOR mods to your latch lever under the dash.
And that's all I have to say aboot that......


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Joel Adams  
My Link

 
   
(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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