2g How to install hood release/latch cable

[jjrock5]

Well I got screwed today, I pulled to the hood on my 2g and it wouldnt pop unless somebody pulled on it while I pulled the hood release lever.

Once it was opened i end of the cable at the hood and saw that the plastic tip that holds the outer casing of the cable onto the locking mechanism had snapped. So now when i pull the the latch it pulls the entire cable not only the inner wire.

Has anybody done one? I figured i have to remover the fender since it seems to be tucked in there.

 

[tjbiker031]

I done one on my dad's old fox body mustang....such a PITA. I would get a haynes and see how they say to do it.

 

[jjrock5]

I havent checked my haynes but Im almost positive it won't be there. I'll check later.

 

[Atuca]

Yes sir.

To replace the cable, you would need to remove the fender as it runs from the front of the car, through the fender, and through the firewall where the release lever is under the dash.

If you just broke the tab on the latch mechanism, there are two bolts holding it on there IIRC and could be easily sourced off a junk yard dsm. Your cable doesn't sound, broke, just the tab that holds the cable to the mechanism right?

 

[turbosax2]

If you do replace the entire cable, you shouldn't have to remove the fender. Removing the fender liner should give you enough space to work.

 

[SharonTampons]

If you do replace the entire cable, you shouldn't have to remove the fender. Removing the fender liner should give you enough space to work.

It has been a few years, but I am almost positive that I had to take the entire fender off to get to the cable. I will verify this on my parts car tomorrow, I think the fender is only held on by a bolt or two.

But Atuca is probably correct. It sounds like you just broke the little white/yellowish plastic clip that the cable is connected to.

 

[jjrock5]

It has been a few years, but I am almost positive that I had to take the entire fender off to get to the cable. I will verify this on my parts car tomorrow, I think the fender is only held on by a bolt or two.

But Atuca is probably correct. It sounds like you just broke the little white/yellowish plastic clip that the cable is connected to.

Yes thats exactly what snapped. It's a white plastic piece at the end of the cable. so thats replaceable by itself? Or does the entire cable have to come out?

 

[SharonTampons]

I was just checking it out, the white piece is apart of the cable as far as I can tell. And the fender does have to come off in order to remove/replace the cable.

 

[jjrock5]

Crap, yeah that's what I figured as well.

 

[snowborder714]

I was just checking it out, the white piece is apart of the cable as far as I can tell. And the fender does have to come off in order to remove/replace the cable.

What's the reasoning for needing to remove the fender? I'm pretty sure we could do it on my brother's car without needing to do this, but maybe we removed enough other stuff to make it easier to access. I'd think all you'd need to do is take of the liner and undo it from the wiring clips that are holding it in. Here's a picture of my brother's car with the fender off just after starting to work on it, so this is how it is from the factory.

 

[Atuca]

I can't be for sure either way now if you have to remove it or not, but the fact it is removed with less than 5 mins of work remains. I promise it will make it easier to swap the cable if it is needed.

 

[SharonTampons]

You are right Brian, the job could probably be done with the fender still on, but IMO it will make life a little easier when he is uninstalling and reinstalling the cable. Especially when its time to feed it though the rubber boot. The hardest part for my 6'6" a$# was working under the dash.

OP
Give it a shot with the fender still on. If you can't do it that way, there are aprox. 8-10 bolts holding the fender in place. Just make sure that your lines are matching up when you're done (if you have to take it off)

 

[jjrock5]

I may go straight into pulling the entire fender off. It looks very simple from Snow's picture (thanks for that btw). it's just getting colder and colder outside and i dont like it. I really should get to asap before the hood doesnt want to pop open at all (even with two people).

Hey, does anybody know a way to pop the hood if at some point it doesnt want to open given the broken cable situation? maybe underneath the car?

 

[snowborder714]

Yep, working under the dash and being 6'6" would be a problem I'm a foot shorter than you so it's not bad.

I only suggested not pulling the fender so he didn't have to realign it after putting it back on. If you do decide to pull the fender, don't forget about the bolt holding it on in the door jam (have to open door and look towards front of car to see it) and the one from the inside of the engine bay (near A/C dryer area, but on the vertical metal).

If you just broke the white plastic piece that clips in under the dash, you can still pop the hood. Just pull the cable out from the release hinge and pull on the end of it. Doesn't take much effort.

Word of advice - loosen/remove the two bolts holding the release hinge to the dash. It'll make removing and installing the cable so much easier.

 

[turbosax2]

When I took both my front fenders and hood off, getting them all lined back up with the proper gaps was a HUGE pita. Now, if you're only taking one fender off it shouldn't be nearly as bad, but if the panel fits like it is I would really recommend trying to avoid taking it off. I really can't believe that just removing the fender liner won't give you plenty of room to work on the cable...