hood release handle cable.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
hood release handle cable.
Is there any way to replace the wire on a 68(and other years I'm sure) hood release handle, or am I relegated to buying a whole new assembly with the handle. When I removed the hood brackets for painting I had to cut the wire due to the the set screw in the wire stop breaking off. Now the wire is too short.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Mine broke and I had to buy the whole replacement unit. I did use some thin stainless steel wire I had and threaded it thru the old housing as a temporary measure till I got the replacement.
When I got the replacement I just used the new handle and wire and threaded it thru the original housing. If you need to buy a new cable end stop they are 4 or 5 dollars each thru an aftermarket supplier or buy a package 6 of them at a Home Depot for less than that. Look in the section where they have all the specialty fasteners.
When I got the replacement I just used the new handle and wire and threaded it thru the original housing. If you need to buy a new cable end stop they are 4 or 5 dollars each thru an aftermarket supplier or buy a package 6 of them at a Home Depot for less than that. Look in the section where they have all the specialty fasteners.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
With the hood opened, have someone check the release lever and its mechanism when you pull/push the release handle.
You should find some anomaly somewhere ( like something jammed ). Try oil/grease to see if that helps.
Last edited by 73StreetRace; Jun 15, 2010 at 11:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
The cable itself should move easily in its housing.
With the hood opened, have someone check the release lever and its mechanism when you pull/push the release handle.
You should find some anomaly somewhere ( like something jammed ). Try oil/grease to see if that helps.
With the hood opened, have someone check the release lever and its mechanism when you pull/push the release handle.
You should find some anomaly somewhere ( like something jammed ). Try oil/grease to see if that helps.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Europe, France
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I looked at the price of that part, and that silly bracket, some years ago, and decided to use a piece of vac hose over top of a loop of coat hanger wire, going up and over the catch and down into the engine compartment so I had a second handle, just in case....it hung way down/forward inside, outta site and mind....easy reach/pull with door open....
cheeeeeeep too!!!!
cheeeeeeep too!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I used a Dremel tool with a small carbide burr to extract all the piano wire out of the handle and replaced it with bicycle shift cable to fix my 72 release handle years ago, trick works well. Call me "Bubba"
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
I decided to just add an "extension" to the wire that was left. Seems to be working fine. I'm not opposed to getting a new one, but dammit, I am getting tired of paying $40.00 for a piece of metal with a 12" piano wire on it that was probably made in China anyway.
I understand the whole" it's a corvette so lets rape em" mentality of some of the manufacturers, and that some parts are limited in there replacement, but I can get a whole set of front bearings with races for $40.00, but a handle with a piece of wire on it is $40.00 .
OK....rant over....I guess I'll go order my hood release now.
I understand the whole" it's a corvette so lets rape em" mentality of some of the manufacturers, and that some parts are limited in there replacement, but I can get a whole set of front bearings with races for $40.00, but a handle with a piece of wire on it is $40.00 .
OK....rant over....I guess I'll go order my hood release now.
