Well, it finally happened. I've been worried about my hood release cable breaking due to being so hard to pull and it finally did. Are there any good pictorials or DIY's for replacing it on my 1981 300d? It broke at the handle inside, hoping I can still get the hood open.

Thanks
Pat

Did the cable itself break or was it the interior handle?

If the handle broke, then it only involves pulling a couple of screws to remove the handle assembly and grabbing the cable with a set of vise grips. Once it is removed, there is a little "z-hook" to remove the handle from the cable. Tie a good stout string to the end, with a couple of clove hitches, and pull from the engine side. Attach the string to the new cable and pull it back through the firewall from the interior side.

If the cable has broken under the hood somewhere, then it's a little more involved. Someone familiar with the W123 will need to chime in as it is a little different than the W126.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Thanks Sam,
It broke at the end of the cable at the handle. I'll have to figure out why its so hard to pull, then replace.

PR

Once you get the hood open (I'll let others chime in on how to), and you're about to install a new cable, make damn sure you install the grommet into the firewall separately, then thread over the new cable through the grommet.

The new grommet is a royal PITA to install into the firewall when it is still attached to the cable, it won't squeeze in small enough for the lips to secure properly on the sheet metal; my mechanic and I tried hard to put it on. Nothing worked except sliding the new cable out, removing the grommet and installing it separately, then sliding the new cable through the grommet.

When replacing the hood release cable... - Mercedes-Benz Forum

Good thread on w123 firewall grommets and p/n's included

W123 Firewall Grommet Part Numbers - Page 2 - Mercedes-Benz Forum

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