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emergency hood release cable - EASY with pics
My hood release cable has worked fine since I bought my 88' but many threads here have mentioned horror stories of a broken cable and not being able to get the hood open.
One great solution that has been discussed here was a set of emergency release cables in the wipers area. I decided to make a pair for mine and thought I would take some photo's to share for people like me who find a photo or drawing often times more understandable than only words. Total cost was $7.00 !! 1/16" wire cable at .69 cents a foot, and one package of Cable Clamps and Stops and state tax. The clamps are aluminum and need to be hit with a hammer against a steel bar to crimp the cable properly. Here is the location of the existing factory installed cable. Adjacent to the cable connection is a small opening that allows the 1/16" cable to go through. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clampSU.jpg This next one is a close up of the clamps I used. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clampB.jpg Since I was using 1/16 cable I decided to drill a 1/8" hole through the rubber guard below the wipers to allow free movement. I tried to make the cable lay as straight as possible. This photo is the cable before being cut and the stop being put on. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp4.jpg These next two photo's show the cables completed, and the last is a close up of the connection. I intend to paint them black to make them blend in and not be so noticable. Total time 30 minutes (a guy has to sip some malt beverage on a job like this :cheers: ) I now have a great piece of mind knowing if my primary cable fails, I can still gain access to the underhood to fix it. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp3.jpg http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp8.jpg http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp9.jpg Hope this is helpful for some of you :flag: :cheers: Larry |
That's exactly what I did a couple of years ago.
I have never needed to use them but they do work great! Smart and cheap mod to do to any old car with a cable release. I put one my dad's corsica a few years back and we have had to use it a couple of times. |
Nice job and a great write-up! :cheers:
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Nice pics - thank you
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thanks,excellent,i just put some black zip ties yesterday just in case !
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cool, I used black to hide mine more.
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:thumbs:Looks good!
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Simple and effective. great job.:cool:
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Don't order the ones from Ecklers. They will rust.
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:o I have all the parts to install the release in my tool box. They have been in there for 2+ years.
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Thanks for the post, this was a job I was going to do in the spring and forgot. It's on my list now. Good job putting the pictures and info together. :thumbs:
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Thanks everyone :thumbs: Glad that you found this useful.
I agree with the fact they should be black, that is why in my details I said I only had to paint them black to be finished. It was too windy the day I did this to attempt to paint them. :ack: |
Originally Posted by mrmtrtrnd
(Post 1570974093)
Thanks for the post, this was a job I was going to do in the spring and forgot. It's on my list now. Good job putting the pictures and info together. :thumbs:
It's been one of those things I keep putting off, but need to do! Excellent writeup and pics! :cheers: |
Nice job and good pic's. I had an 18" black zip tie for years....now I use a pull cable like yours but never had the emergency to use.
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Thats exactly what I did to mine least year.
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Nice job! I'm lazy and bought some of the ready-made cables, but it's a little project that's well worth doing, BEFORE it's needed ;-)
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Originally Posted by jimmers
(Post 1570976982)
Thats exactly what I did to mine least year.
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Thanks for the write up:cheers:
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emergency hood cable
I installed my emergency cables last night, My hood cable broke Sunday. I pulled RF tire & pulled some bolts out of wheel well. I then used long screwdriver to push hood latch open. I went to good ole Wally world last night & bought 2, 12" 50 lb fishing leaders for .$50 snapped each 1 on to each hood latch. It works great. I thought since my hood release cable was new there would be no problem, luckly I was home when release cable came off.
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Excellent!! thanks for the pics too:)
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Originally Posted by hip
(Post 1570984543)
luckly I was home when release cable came off.
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Originally Posted by ottawabarber
(Post 1570972259)
Hope this is helpful for some of you :flag: :cheers: Larry |
Awesome idea and great pictures. thanks,:chevy
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Thanks for the pics.
I will do this next when I get the time. My wife is all over me for working on my vette and not the boat or anything else around the house. Went boating today and motor wouldn't run I'm gona here it for days now almost got stranded. |
Originally Posted by mrmtrtrnd
(Post 1570974093)
Thanks for the post, this was a job I was going to do in the spring and forgot. It's on my list now. Good job putting the pictures and info together. :thumbs:
:iagree: on my list before and on it again now! procrastination rules!! thanks for the reminder and really great pix and write-up!! well done! |
Great idea and write up :thumbs:
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Use stainless steel aircraft cable, which it looks like the
OP did. Galvanized will eventually rust, esp. in states that salt. You can crimp the clamp in a vise, or if you want to do it really right, most ship's chandlers will have the right tool. It looks like a big pair of bolt cutters mounted to the work bench. Dunno if they are setup for cable that small though. Chuck |
Just did son's 87 today.
$1.99 in parts from Lowes + sales tax. |
Originally Posted by joshwilson3
(Post 1570973855)
Don't order the ones from Ecklers. They will rust.
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Thank you for the write-up! This has been on my list to do for quite some time, and I will put mine on the very next night after my regular cable fails and leaves me up the creek! :willy:
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My cable started giving me trouble so I bought some stainless safety wire and a very small sized black hose. Ran them from one side to the other and have been using them since the regular cable finally gave up. The rubber tubing makes it very easy to get both sides of the hood to release at one time. And unless you know it is there you can't really tell there is a release under the hood.
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Nice write up. Got to do this to my C-4
Thanks Ed |
Frizzle.............WTF did you do to your icon?? Scared the bejesus outa me!
Mike |
Great write up :thumbs:
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I just did mine & my neighbor`s `85. I even used cable covered in green vinyl from Home Depot. Turned out great, & with that color the cables are easy to see. :cheers:
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Frackin' awesome! What a great idea!
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on the list
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Larry,
I did this project today. Exactly as you explained it. Thanks for the write up. Mike :cheers: |
Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
(Post 1575710881)
Larry,
I did this project today. Exactly as you explained it. Thanks for the write up. Mike :cheers: This thread was over a year ago, and I am honored that SOCALMAN was nice enough to put it near the top of his great sticky on CF. Funny how sometimes a simple, inexpensive fix can be just the ticket when the day comes that the hood release cable refuses to work. I am glad you found it useful. Soooooo many great tips and ideas on this forum - a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes that gets lost within a thread when "one up's manship" takes over for helpful advice or opinion. Peace Mike :flag: Larry |
I'll add this to my winter to-do list. :thumbs:
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Originally Posted by ottawabarber
(Post 1575711457)
Thanks Mike :cheers:
This thread was over a year ago, and I am honored that SOCALMAN was nice enough to put it near the top of his great sticky on CF. Funny how sometimes a simple, inexpensive fix can be just the ticket when the day comes that the hood release cable refuses to work. I am glad you found it useful. Soooooo many great tips and ideas on this forum - a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes that gets lost within a thread when "one up's manship" takes over for helpful advice or opinion. Peace Mike :flag: Larry I spent 2 hours yesterday with the passenger wheel off with a coat hanger to open my stuck hood. Never again. Mike |
I carry one of those $19 hood release tools in my car; this looks like a better solution.
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I picked up the stuff today at a local building supply. About 5 bucks altogether with the cable ends. Tomorrow's project, I think the beer will cost more than this.........:cheers:
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Great post I feel better now knowing I can backup my hood release. Kudos
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I installed this on mine 2 weeks ago. The only thing that I did different is that I put black heat shrink tubing on the cable before crimping the ends on. Blends in real nice!
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Back up hood release cables....
Man I love this website!!! Great F%$%&^ idea! I am a recent Vette
owner and have used this site more than once for guidance. THANK YOU for that post.:canadaflag::cheers: |
Excellent thread! As soon as I read it, I bought a couple of 30lb fishing leaders and put them on my '94 as emergency hood releases. They work great. :thumbs:
As an aside, it is important to keep your hood release mechanisms lubricated on a regular basis. I use white lithium grease on mine. Just wipe off as much of the old grease as possible and put a couple of dabs of white lithium on the mechanism and operate it by hand a few times to spread the new lubricant. Not doing this on a regular basis is probably the biggest reason that the hood releases fail as the hood release mechanisms experience greater and greater resistance as the lubricant deteriorates over time. :ack: |
The only thing I might add is to take a large pop rivet and disassemble it using the flanged piece as a slide thru the rubber dam. Set it with a small amount of Black GE RTV. This step stops any tendancy for the wire rope to tear the rubber as you test or use the emergency pull hood release cables.
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Originally Posted by JM95
(Post 1577225823)
The only thing I might add is to take a large pop rivet and disassemble it using the flanged piece as a slide thru the rubber dam. Set it with a small amount of Black GE RTV. This step stops any tendancy for the wire rope to tear the rubber as you test or use the emergency pull hood release cables.
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Originally Posted by hip
(Post 1570984543)
I went to good ole Wally world last night & bought 2, 12" 50 lb fishing leaders for .$50 snapped each 1 on to each hood latch. It works great.
Originally Posted by proracr
(Post 1577224241)
Excellent thread! As soon as I read it, I bought a couple of 30lb fishing leaders and put them on my '94 as emergency hood releases. They work great. :thumbs:
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/04...48_180X180.jpg |
Can someone upload new pictures of this Mod? The original ones are dead.
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http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...r/100_4888.jpg
Yes it's an old thread but a helpful one - hopefully the moderators will keep it open since we have a whole lot of new C-4 owners who have not yet done this. Others may have better pics but here's mine - color coordinated to the car no less! :thumbs: |
I dont understand how the emergency cable is secured to the latch mechanism. Can someone explain or put a close up picture PLEEEEEZZZZZ ! ! !
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Originally Posted by BSenzina
(Post 1580808226)
I dont understand how the emergency cable is secured to the latch mechanism. Can someone explain or put a close up picture PLEEEEEZZZZZ ! ! !
When you make your new emergency cables, there is enough room for a second cable right alongside the first. Thread the cable through and then crimp the ferrule onto it. I don't have a close-up handy. Look at yours and see if this explains it. If not I'll try to get one posted for you. |
Originally Posted by Railroadman
(Post 1580808834)
If you look closely at the factory arrangement, there is a small clip or bracket. The cable from the pull handle inside goes THROUGH that bracket, and then is crimped with a ferrule on the outboard side of the car. That ferrule is close to the bracket. When you pull the release, the cable moves and that ferrule pulls the bracket - which is on the latch mechanism.
When you make your new emergency cables, there is enough room for a second cable right alongside the first. Thread the cable through and then crimp the ferrule onto it. I don't have a close-up handy. Look at yours and see if this explains it. If not I'll try to get one posted for you. |
I'm learning so much! I just bought a 1985 Vette. Literally Friday 05/11. Threads like this are very useful! I'm getting all the little things sorted out quickly thanks to those that share knowledge. My hood won't "pop" up when I pull my lever. I have to hold the lever and pull the hood/clam/bonnet....what is the correct term? Anyway, thanks again for putting the picture up! I think I can do that. :thumbs:
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Glad to help, and the way to build your mechanical skills is by doing easy jobs and gaining experience and confidence to do tougher stuff. This forum is a great place, no one person knows it all but collectively I think we just about DO.
As info for the newer guys, in general the honchos here have a rule of thumb that if a thread goes dead for 45 days or more, you should start a new one instead of digging up the old. I'm glad to see they are indulging us on this one by not locking it. Those emergency release cables are a good thing to have. You know darn well the old cable will NOT break in your driveway on a Saturday morning, it will be alongside the freeway at 0-dark-30 when you already have some other problem going on. It's cheap insurance which you hopefully won't need. I delayed doing mine a long time but it's so easy I wondered why I didn't get in gear and do it sooner. My vette is Aqua and I found that cable actually as part of a swimming pool cover. Look around and you might be able to find cable coated with a color that works for your car. PS - keep the latch mechanisms lubricated up to prolong the life of the original cable |
Great thread. Added to my to do list.
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keep drain hole clean and lube the hell out of the latch. I made a hook to open mine after I was ready to take a sawzall to the GS hood when it was a few years old. Ran down to a car show and took some measurements and made the hook to grab the cable. Took about 2 minutes to open with the hook. Great idea above.
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for some reason i can`t open the pics, i get a red "x". any help with this?
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Originally Posted by rickneworleansla
(Post 1578165526)
I think I'm going to get me this tonight from Walmart. Whats the best way to secure it to the latch?
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/04...48_180X180.jpg |
Originally Posted by tntwolt
(Post 1581153540)
for some reason i can`t open the pics, i get a red "x". any help with this?
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found a pic in thread, now i know what its supposed to look like. have not yet hooked up withany C4 guys to share info about our cars
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Can someone upload new pictures of this Mod? The original ones are dead. |
Originally Posted by Railroadman
(Post 1580807198)
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...r/100_4888.jpg
Yes it's an old thread but a helpful one - hopefully the moderators will keep it open since we have a whole lot of new C-4 owners who have not yet done this. Others may have better pics but here's mine - color coordinated to the car no less! :thumbs: |
It is a great idea.:smash::smash::smash:
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Originally Posted by pkazsr
(Post 1570973952)
:o I have all the parts to install the release in my tool box. They have been in there for 2+ years.
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Originally Posted by pkazsr
(Post 1581235480)
Three years later, (Just like this thread), the parts are still there.
Hey, maybe you never will need them. Or, maybe the old one will break just as you try to open the hood to put out that fire you just discovered! :willy: |
emergency release
Here's some pics of how I did mine. Same basic plan as others but i reconfigured my attachment point to beef it up. Cut some metal line to run my cable through.
http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMAG0318.jpg http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMAG0323.jpg http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMAG0136.jpg http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/...k/IMAG0137.jpg :flag: Happy 4th |
^ Great pics! Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Railroadman
(Post 1581235581)
We're holding the thread open until you finally do it! :lol:
Hey, maybe you never will need them. Or, maybe the old one will break just as you try to open the hood to put out that fire you just discovered! :willy: 1) When I think of it it is 3:00 am 2) Usually I believe if it aint broke don't fix it. When I try to do preventive maintenance on the Vette a $50 fix turns out to be a $500 repair. |
Originally Posted by pkazsr
(Post 1581236988)
I have 2 problems about getting it done.
2) Usually I believe if it aint broke don't fix it. When I try to do preventive maintenance on the Vette a $50 fix turns out to be a $500 repair. |
Odd, I don't see any photos in the OP's post.
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Originally Posted by Raptor_1
(Post 1581447818)
Odd, I don't see any photos in the OP's post.
Usually the forum has a "45 day rule" which says if a thread is that long without a post, you start a new one instead of reviving the old. In this case the mods have (wisely IMHO) allowed the old one to stay alive as it contains so much good info. Welcome, and if you are a C-4 owner you might want to think about doing that modification as some day, some where, the old one will break. |
this seems like an inexpensive, smart mod to do.
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Originally Posted by John.87
(Post 1581449092)
this seems like an inexpensive, smart mod to do.
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The cable retainer on my car doesn't look like the the ones in the photo.
It doesn't have that extra slot. I used a couple pieces of duck decoy cord about 15" long, slid the one end through the clip beside the original cables, tied a couple of knots to secure them and tied a loop in the other end that lays under the wipers. Does the job just fine. :) |
Corvette hood release
:cheers:
Originally Posted by ottawabarber
(Post 1570972259)
My hood release cable has worked fine since I bought my 88' but many threads here have mentioned horror stories of a broken cable and not being able to get the hood open.
One great solution that has been discussed here was a set of emergency release cables in the wipers area. I decided to make a pair for mine and thought I would take some photo's to share for people like me who find a photo or drawing often times more understandable than only words. Total cost was $7.00 !! 1/16" wire cable at .69 cents a foot, and one package of Cable Clamps and Stops and state tax. The clamps are aluminum and need to be hit with a hammer against a steel bar to crimp the cable properly. Here is the location of the existing factory installed cable. Adjacent to the cable connection is a small opening that allows the 1/16" cable to go through. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clampSU.jpg This next one is a close up of the clamps I used. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clampB.jpg Since I was using 1/16 cable I decided to drill a 1/8" hole through the rubber guard below the wipers to allow free movement. I tried to make the cable lay as straight as possible. This photo is the cable before being cut and the stop being put on. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp4.jpg These next two photo's show the cables completed, and the last is a close up of the connection. I intend to paint them black to make them blend in and not be so noticable. Total time 30 minutes (a guy has to sip some malt beverage on a job like this :cheers: ) I now have a great piece of mind knowing if my primary cable fails, I can still gain access to the underhood to fix it. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp3.jpg http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp8.jpg http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp9.jpg Hope this is helpful for some of you :flag: :cheers: Larry |
I used some steel fishing leaders on both sides and crimped the loops at the ends, then run the other ends to the middle of the hood on each side and crimped some loops again for something to pull on, I dare that hood cable to break!!:D
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the only thing to beware of is the e-cable getting caught in the hood pin locater hole. I used mine e-cable a few times, then the :no -start condition happened. Pulled the cables. . drivers side popped the hood. Pass side was trapped in the locator hole, broke when I put the muscle to it. Had to buy the "tool" to pop the hood. 25 bucks.PIA to use. Got it to finally work. New hood cables on the way and bought some stranded wire this time for the e cables.. Oh, fixed the fuel pump problem too,lol.
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thanks
Here's a vid I made how to do it cheap and links to cheap supplies
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that would be great but i see no pics
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Originally Posted by Virgil Clinton
(Post 1601794084)
that would be great but i see no pics
Welcome to the forum. :cheers: |
Originally Posted by Leonardo111
(Post 1597869712)
bonjour de France Didou |
Back up cables
Originally Posted by ottawabarber
(Post 1570972259)
My hood release cable has worked fine since I bought my 88' but many threads here have mentioned horror stories of a broken cable and not being able to get the hood open.
One great solution that has been discussed here was a set of emergency release cables in the wipers area. I decided to make a pair for mine and thought I would take some photo's to share for people like me who find a photo or drawing often times more understandable than only words. Total cost was $7.00 !! 1/16" wire cable at .69 cents a foot, and one package of Cable Clamps and Stops and state tax. The clamps are aluminum and need to be hit with a hammer against a steel bar to crimp the cable properly. Here is the location of the existing factory installed cable. Adjacent to the cable connection is a small opening that allows the 1/16" cable to go through. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clampSU.jpg This next one is a close up of the clamps I used. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clampB.jpg Since I was using 1/16 cable I decided to drill a 1/8" hole through the rubber guard below the wipers to allow free movement. I tried to make the cable lay as straight as possible. This photo is the cable before being cut and the stop being put on. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp4.jpg These next two photo's show the cables completed, and the last is a close up of the connection. I intend to paint them black to make them blend in and not be so noticable. Total time 30 minutes (a guy has to sip some malt beverage on a job like this :cheers: ) I now have a great piece of mind knowing if my primary cable fails, I can still gain access to the underhood to fix it. http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp3.jpg http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp8.jpg http://starvedrockcorvettes.com/clamp9.jpg Hope this is helpful for some of you :flag: :cheers: Larry where are the pics?? |
Originally Posted by Whrabbit
(Post 1604863066)
where are the pics??
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1 Attachment(s)
These are easy to make! I used picture hanger wire so it did not show as much and was still strong. I also put some Lithium Grease on the latch. ::cool:
Here is a Screenshot from the above video. |
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