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Hood latch problems plz help

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Old Jun 21, 2010 | 10:30 PM
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Default Hood latch problems plz help

So I went to my garage where I keep my 85 corvette to try some of the suggestions that you all gave me for my problem with the car shutting off at 202 degrees and the hood latch mechanism is broke grrr. I used some plyers and pulled on the cable to the right side and it opened. the left side (smaller of the two cables) would not open. Is there a secret to getting this open that you guys can share? I got a couple ideas but would feel dumb if there was some easy way to do it that you all know and I spend a bunch of time on it. The guy I bought the car from told me it was messed up and gave me a new cable assembly but i didnt know it would be this hard to open. I spent all night messing with it. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 01:22 AM
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Ok try having someone hold the cornner down while you try to pull the cable. If that doesnt work have them or you wiggle and press down the corner while pulling the wire. I had this problem what a nightmare. When I finally got it opened ( Miracle ) I quickly adjusted the wires to pull earlier and greased the slots. Hope this helps
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 04:39 PM
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Ty I will try that. Anyone else got any other ideas for me before I head to the garage and try to get into it?
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Old Jun 22, 2010 | 10:24 PM
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Default Any Luck

Originally Posted by stockcarguy
Ty I will try that. Anyone else got any other ideas for me before I head to the garage and try to get into it?
Any Luck
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 01:06 AM
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no, I tried that and the tool to unlatch it and no luck. I started to take the wheel off and the body piece but i dont have the tool to take the security "luglock" off either. this is really getting frustrating.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 09:23 AM
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anyone know where to get the tool to take the wheels off?
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 10:15 AM
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You will probably need to know who manufactured the wheels to get the correct tool, that information is usually cast on the back of the spokes so it is easily visible after you get the wheel off.
If you can post a picture someone may be able to help, good luck.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 10:15 AM
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probably the dealership..call them. Although I know that hood can be a nightmare. once closed it with tools underneath it and talk about being jammed. It was amazing I got it opened. Once you get it open dont close it so quickly you need to make adjustments and grease it also. Best of luck with it and let us know when you get it opened and how you did it
Did you do a search on here for other similar posts about the hood problem. There might be some good tips here also
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by stockcarguy
anyone know where to get the tool to take the wheels off?
Go to a Discount Tire or any large tire distributor. They will have tools to take locking lugnuts off. Happends quite often when keys are lost. Maybe the previous owner knows where the key is.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 11:36 AM
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Ty, ya I actually got ahold of a few tire places that will do it. Now its a matter of getting it to them. I havent plated it yet and I usually work till 6pm++ but at least I know where to get it done. After some research I may just buy the socket for 25+ dollars and be money ahead. The previous owner has no idea where the tool is and forgot they were even on there lol
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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 12:41 AM
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oh also a lot of the tire places just use a socket that is a smigen to small and smack it on the lug and take it off then you can just replace the locks with new ones
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Old Jun 24, 2010 | 03:01 AM
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I had the problem with my 86 one day. So it never happens agian I put a small wire from the latch throw the seal by the windshield wiper. One on both sides. You can't see it when the hood is down. When the hood won't open with the pull latch I just pull on the wire and bingo it opens. Just something if you get it open. Good luck.
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Old Jun 25, 2010 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by sunnfish
I had the problem with my 86 one day. So it never happens agian I put a small wire from the latch throw the seal by the windshield wiper. One on both sides. You can't see it when the hood is down. When the hood won't open with the pull latch I just pull on the wire and bingo it opens. Just something if you get it open. Good luck.
This is a common "fix" and a lot of guys who had the problems in the past do this as a "just in case". Course you gotta get it open to do it and everything has to be adjusted
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 08:52 AM
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Default Ecklers

Ecklers sells a "tool" that reaches in from the drivers door and "hooks" the latch. I carry one in my '86, just in case. Never had to use it tho.
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Old Jun 26, 2010 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Pres712
Ecklers sells a "tool" that reaches in from the drivers door and "hooks" the latch. I carry one in my '86, just in case. Never had to use it tho.
10 minutes with a vise, a hammer and a 3' piece of 1/4" round stock gives you the same tool. Took about 20 minutes all together to make it and open my buddies 87 when the cable on it broke.

It helped that we could use my 92 to measure exactly how far in the latch is from the corner of the fender.
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