Hood latch cable preventive maintenance?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Hood latch cable preventive maintenance?
My car is a '92, but I think the hood latch cable is the same on all C4s.
I've never had a problem with the cable, but it seems to be getting stiffer.
I bought a new cable to install, and I am wondering if there is anything that can be done to prolong its life.
Which end of the cable usually fails, the part at the hood latches, or the part under the dash by the release handle?
How does it fail, does the cable break or do the ends come loose?
And, has anyone tried to inject lubricant into the cable housing to prolong its use?
Tom Piper
I've never had a problem with the cable, but it seems to be getting stiffer.
I bought a new cable to install, and I am wondering if there is anything that can be done to prolong its life.
Which end of the cable usually fails, the part at the hood latches, or the part under the dash by the release handle?
How does it fail, does the cable break or do the ends come loose?
And, has anyone tried to inject lubricant into the cable housing to prolong its use?
Tom Piper
Last edited by Tom Piper; Jan 19, 2008 at 11:16 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Generally they crack in the engine compartment when they get brittle. Making sure the latches are adjusted and lubricated and the return springs are working is probably the best maitainance. I would think lubricating the cables might cause more problems down the line.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: MN
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
However, if there is anything that can be done to keep it longer, while it is out is the time to do it.
I do intend to install emergency cables too.
It doesn't seem like there is much that can be done about that.
Tom Piper
Last edited by Tom Piper; Jan 19, 2008 at 02:13 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
On my motorcycle, when I serviced the carbs, I took the throttle and choke cables loose and hung them up. I sprayed white lithium grease down the inside of the covers and left them hanging for a couple of days while I worked on the bike. Since then, the choke that was so stiff I had to hold it in place to engage it moves freely and rests where I leave it. I would pull the cables on your new set as far out of the cover as you can and coat them with the WLG then do the same for the other end. WLG doesn't drip and generally stays where you put it.
(Yeah I know my bike (CV carbs) doesn't have a choke but rather a "enriching circuits" but the control is labeled "Choke")
(Yeah I know my bike (CV carbs) doesn't have a choke but rather a "enriching circuits" but the control is labeled "Choke")
Last edited by 94z07fx3; Jan 19, 2008 at 02:40 PM.
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