What's the best way to install new hood release cable?

[300SDog]

Original cable snapped behind the hood release lever.... Now I've got vise-grips in place to pull the cable and open the hood.

My plan is to replace the cable with new parts and includes wiring and taping the new cable to the old one and then threading it in place while removing the old cable.

Is this more easily done working from the hood catch end - or from the end of the cable inside the car?

Any info on hazards or problems to avoid will be appreciated. I'm also planning to grease the new cable before installation.

[kpb]

Hey Dog, on my 108 the cable snapped the same place. I did the job starting from inside the car and threading it out to the release latch. Do not recall any real problems or hang-ups (other than frozen fingers since it was 20 degrees last winter when I did it. I'm not sure I ever did really get the rubber seal seated right at the firewall though.

[jim16671836]

John, I have changed a few cables and it is just as easy to release both ends and pull from the middle and replace it the same way...I like to end up with the cable in place and hooked up under the grill and then hook up at the pull lever and then bolt the pull lever in place last....Jim

[300SDog]

Thanks Jim, that sounds like a good plan. And hooking up the pull handle last makes perfect sense. I have a motorcylce shop nearby that can grease the cable. It will be a fine luxury to have decent hood release.

Scary part of having a broken cable is wondering if it will ever quit entirely. I've also had occasional 'pop-ups' where the hood comes partially released while driving.

[jim16671836]

John, I have a 300 D in the back yard with a broken windshield that I removed the grill and then took it for a test run. I don't think a MB with the hood unlatched will come up...But when the grill is removed it will come up so fast their is nothing you can do.

[300SDog]

Got the parts and finally did the installation in about 1/2 hour.... Used the old rubber boot already fixed to the firewall and worked from the middle threading the cable in both directions. Attaching the handle last was good idea since you need slack to attach the hood catch end.

Thanks for good advice!!

I think adjusting the cable at hood/catch to take up slack can prevent the cable from snapping. So if anybody has a long-throw hood release, taking up slack might prevent it from breaking as the cable gets bent in an arc when you pull the lever.

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Last edited by 300SDog; 10-18-2004 at 04:42 PM.