Emergency hood release - DIY

[ottawabarber]

Dogfish - SOCALMAN thanks for the sticky with the list of great tips and fixes. I read on the "General Discussion" about this, and thought I would just copy and paste my write up for here so you can do what you want with it. The photo links go to my own server for our Corvette Club, so this way it is not linked to CF in anyway. If you don't want this PM me, and I will delete this post for you.

Here is the post:

Emergency Hood Release Cables

My hood release cable has worked fine since I bought my 88' but many threads here have mentioned horror stories of a broken cable and not being able to get the hood open.

One great solution that has been discussed here was a set of emergency release cables in the wipers area.

I decided to make a pair for mine and thought I would take some photo's to share for people like me who find a photo or drawing often times more understandable than only words.

Total cost was $7.00 !! 1/16" wire cable at .69 cents a foot, and one package of Cable Clamps and Stops and state tax. The clamps are aluminum and need to be hit with a hammer against a steel bar to crimp the cable properly.

Here is the location of the existing factory installed cable. Adjacent to the cable connection is a small opening that allows the 1/16" cable to go through.


This next one is a close up of the clamps I used.



Since I was using 1/16 cable I decided to drill a 1/8" hole through the rubber guard below the wipers to allow free movement. I tried to make the cable lay as straight as possible. This photo is the cable before being cut and the stop being put on.



These next two photo's show the cables completed, and the last is a close up of the connection. I intend to paint them black to make them blend in and not be so noticable.

Total time 30 minutes (a guy has to sip some malt beverage on a job like this )

I now have a great piece of mind knowing if my primary cable fails, I can still gain access to the underhood to fix it.







Hope this is helpful for some of you

Larry

[drmrman]

I need to do this! Just for that peace of mind like you said! But just out of curiousity where does the hood latch cable usually break or snap? I hear of this happeneing frequently but Im curious to see where it usually fails!

[Sea Six]

I don't have a C4, but I gotta ask a stupid question.

If you're worried about the hood release cable breaking, why not just replace it? If you do, you should be good for another 30+ years.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by prseasix

I don't have a C4, but I gotta ask a stupid question.

If you're worried about the hood release cable breaking, why not just replace it? If you do, you should be good for another 30+ years.

[drmrman]

Originally Posted by prseasix

I don't have a C4, but I gotta ask a stupid question.

If you're worried about the hood release cable breaking, why not just replace it? If you do, you should be good for another 30+ years.

OEM Hood release cable and handle $69.99 + shipping.

Emergency cables... $3.48 + car ride to your local sears hardware.