Guys - found out why it was getting tricky to pull the hood release. The pivot pin on the aluminum bracket (inside cabin) broke off. The handle pull which pulls the hood release cable pivots on this pin . My plastic cover is OK and the cable is ok.

There is no part number but here is a pic - front and back; you can see where the pin broke off. Does anyone have one to sell or can someone pick up one in a junkyard.

Thx.