Anybody else have to replace hood release handles a lot?
 

I was just wondering, after I had to replace the 6th release handle on the 300D the other day, if anyone else experiences a lot of pull handles breaking off at the grill in really cold weather. This is the 3rd winter we've had a Benz, and I've bought about 5 so far from ********az. Same thing happened when my daughter had the 240D. This time I had driven the car for quite awhile, so the engine compartment had to be fairly warm, even though it was below 20* outside. It always snaps about midway up the handle, just before where it attaches to the hood latch. I carry a 1/8" welding rod with a hook bent into one end just in case it happens so I can reach in and hook the latch hole and pull it to open the hood. Does anybody know something I don't? I think I'm pulling it easy and straight, but to have this many break doesn't seem normal. Any good ideas for bitter cold weather hood opening?

I no longer have the cold weather challenge that you face, but I have discovered that it's easier to pull the handle if I first lift the hood just a little with one hand. Lifting the hood half an inch or so causes the handle to stick out a bit more and seems to make it easier to pull. Might help you.

Are you pulling up on the plastic release to open the hood or something? I always pull OUTward on the release, and then lift the metal part of the hood corner with my right hand, so I don't put any stress on that plastic release.

I've never replaced mine - but it doesn't get that cold here.

Neither of ours have ever broke.....if you pull straight out on them and don't flex it....I don't see how it can even be broken....


The awesome W126 has no such handle... :D

Its not a pull handle, its a safety release latch. Lift on the hood itself not the little latch and I bet you will have better luck!:P

I bet the replcement part is defective. Try getting one from MB. Or even an old one from a junkyard.

When my release handle broke, I made a small sheet metal strap and used it to rejoin the two parts. Secured it with two small sheet metal screws. That was about 1994; it still works fine.

Thanks for the replies, everybody. We never have this problem when the temps are anywhere above freezing, so I can see why a lot of folks have never experienced this. I guess I didn't make myself clear, but what I'm talking about is the small, grey secondary release handle at the grill, not the primary under the dash. What happens is that I release the interior, which usually causes the secondary at the grill (shaped like a little windshield ice scraper) to pop out a bit. I then usually grab it between both index fingers and pull it straight out (forward) to complete the release. I don't raise the hood with it, or pull it any harder than when it's warm, or pull side ways. It snaps into without hardly any pull. I order them from ********az, and they look to be oem, though they are made by 'truktek' (?). They have copper or sheet metal reinforcement on them, and come with a new pin to secure them. I'd like to think I'm some muscle-bound stud that just doesn't know his own strength, but I know better than that. I haven't tried to lift the hood up any before I pull it, so maybe that's the ticket. Thanks Jeremy. And tangofox, your idea sounds like a winner, only I think i'll make the entire thing out of 1/8" metal and paint it grey. Also, t walgamuth, I understand what you're saying. But you have to pull the doohickey to get it to release the latch. I use my right hand to lift the hood. Thanks again, all. I think I will order one from the dealer just to see if I've been getting ripped off. I can hardly believe they would sell junk when most of their parts are German made and oem.