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Hood Release Cable

mdionne

Member
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Putting in T-handle hood release cable. (Broke it) How and where do you attach the cable housing end to the car body under hood? I am assuming,(Ok know what that means), it gets clamped down so it doesn't move when you pull on the other end inside the car. That's when I pulled the cable out of the T-handle.

Any suggestions on how to re-attach the cable to the T-handle or chalk it up to experience and buy a new one?
 
Chalk it up to experience - unless you can get a bike shop to figure it out how to attach.

The cable has a threaded bracket that goes through the body - a nut slides on the entire cable and then you do it up and snug it to the body. FWIW don't put lock tite on the thread, do the nut half up and go for lunch - don't ask me how I know.
 
The T-handle bonnet release cable is for 1978+ Midgets, and if the cable clamp locations are the same as my '74, there are 2 of them. One's located on the driver's side inner wing (fender), just below the front carb, and there's another clamp inside the hole where the bonnet hook/safety catch goes.

Here's the cable clamp that's located slightly fore of the front carb and down on the inner wing (the shiny black thing above it is my air filter housing):

DSC04621.jpg


The other bonnet release cable clamp is inside the hole where the bonnet hook/safety catch goes. In this photo, it's located inside the hole on the left (toward the radiator) (can't see it here, it's in the hole and accessible by removing the grille):

DSC04622.jpg


I don't want to think about that cable snapping, it would be a pain to open the bonnet without it. So, I attached some fishing line to the bonnet release safety catch, just inside the grille, for a backup. The fishing line is basically invisible and opens the bonnet easily.

Also, I lubricate the bonnet release cable about once a year. Remove it from the clips, pull it upright, and pour a little 90 weight oil down the cable. Works like a charm and keeps the cable in good nick.

I hope this helps.
 
Agree with Mark about keeping it lubed but if you break one you can make up a hook out of heavy wire and go in thru the wheel well to release the bonnet.
Experience!

Kurt.
 
Thanks for the help! I guess it's back to buying another part. Oh well, gives me an excuse to add a few more parts to the order. Wouldn't want to waste good shipping money.
 
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