Just finished this up tonight. My hood latch release lever got a bit wonky and I decided to crawl down under the dash and see what was up. The metal axel through the black lever had snapped off. I guess I wore it out. My release cable and mechanism doesn't have too much friction. I think it just is a flimsy design.
I pulled it out. It snapped at the pot metal. I pressed in a new pin that I made from some steel rod I found in the Walmart parking lot. Looks like part of a cart. It was exactly the right diameter.
also the plastic plate was broken. I laid out a plate in 3D cad and printed a new one up. I'll post the file up later in Thingiverse for anyone interested in trying it.
Busted.
New pin cut from what I think is a shopping cart part.
Pin pressed in.
Damaged plastic trim piece with new 3D printed one.
Installed and ready to show.
ETA - ok here is the link on thingiverse. I’m kind of an idiot, this part is still available for $9. Oh well, I had some fun.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5339070