part two on getting hood open
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
part two on getting hood open
Ok , I give up, Seems the thingy that pops the hood open may be jammed . Have fished around under there with tool and seems like it caught somewhere( the hood lever thingy) so cant move it over to pop hood open. Question is, is there anyway of getting to it ? I am just about ready to cut the hood enough to access the damn thing. Needs a paint job anyway but reall y don't want to butcher it. Looking like my only option left.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
You can access the latch through the tire well. Just takes time.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...e-liner-368772
https://www.corvetteforum.com/how-to...e-liner-368772
Last edited by don hall; May 26, 2017 at 04:04 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 9
From: kent
You can open the catches manually with a rod from near the top of the door with it open... there are videos on YouTube what show you how... good luck
just a thought but have you tried pushing down on the bonnet while the catch is pulled... mine used to be very stiff until I greased them all up, now they open very easily
just a thought but have you tried pushing down on the bonnet while the catch is pulled... mine used to be very stiff until I greased them all up, now they open very easily
Last edited by Sid.123; May 21, 2017 at 06:56 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 370
Likes: 31
From: cawood ky
i have a 85 i had about the same problem the left side would not come loose, right side would. it would open just a little tried the rod thing through the wheel well would not pop open took a pry bar and pried on it while working cable got it open found out that the latch was cracked holding it got a used latch works good now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,455
Likes: 6
From: MichAgain
Are you saying you have the hood popping tool and just can't get it to work? Or were you using "whatever" tool you could find to try and pop it?
Check Youtube, there's a pretty good video of how to use the tool.
You can pay 20+shipping to get one from one of the Vette stores, or go to Lowes, HD, Tractor Supply, etc and spend $5 on some 3/16 steel rod and bend it yourself. Find a buddy with another C4 and open his hood and lay your tool in there to see exactly how far to insert it (I used the lower corner of the windshield for reference) then take it to your car and with a little finesse and patience you'll find the right spot and should be able to move the latch.
Check Youtube, there's a pretty good video of how to use the tool.
You can pay 20+shipping to get one from one of the Vette stores, or go to Lowes, HD, Tractor Supply, etc and spend $5 on some 3/16 steel rod and bend it yourself. Find a buddy with another C4 and open his hood and lay your tool in there to see exactly how far to insert it (I used the lower corner of the windshield for reference) then take it to your car and with a little finesse and patience you'll find the right spot and should be able to move the latch.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I have the tool somewhere in the garage and have used it b4. Just cant find it and am using a home made tool. NO, its not the tools fault, the darn thing is jammed. The sweet spot is right at 13 inches from the windshield trim and you can also use 1/4 inch rod... I have both.
Last edited by ghoastrider1; May 22, 2017 at 09:29 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 603
From: Minneapolis Mn
I actually got one of those when I bought the car but have not had to use it. It's interesting, but in looking at it I wonder if there isn't a better way particularly if the hood is jammed. Remember back to your high school math classes, cut a piece of steel like a 30-60-90 degree triangle and weld a rod onto it between the 60 & 90 degree angles. It looks like you could slide it between the edge of the mount and the release lever and push it forward forcing the lever to release the hood pin.
Once you get the hood open, both fix the existing cable and add some safety release cables so you don't have to do it again.
Good luck.
Once you get the hood open, both fix the existing cable and add some safety release cables so you don't have to do it again.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I actually got one of those when I bought the car but have not had to use it. It's interesting, but in looking at it I wonder if there isn't a better way particularly if the hood is jammed. Remember back to your high school math classes, cut a piece of steel like a 30-60-90 degree triangle and weld a rod onto it between the 60 & 90 degree angles. It looks like you could slide it between the edge of the mount and the release lever and push it forward forcing the lever to release the hood pin.
Once you get the hood open, both fix the existing cable and add some safety release cables so you don't have to do it again.
Good luck.
Once you get the hood open, both fix the existing cable and add some safety release cables so you don't have to do it again.
Good luck.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 603
From: Minneapolis Mn
I do remember someone saying they pulled the inner fender liner but I don't know if that will work the battery in the way but it's another thought.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
I had my hood stuck and had to remove the liners to get to it. I was adjusting it because drivers side was sticking and I would have to pull up while opening. So I was adjusting and it wedged itself. I went into the wheel well and accessed 2 of the 3 bolts and loosened.
I was able to get my LONG screwdriver up there and press the latch away from the car. I got it open. The cure was to file around the latch to make it nice and round again. Now it pops open.
Good Luck
I was able to get my LONG screwdriver up there and press the latch away from the car. I got it open. The cure was to file around the latch to make it nice and round again. Now it pops open.
Good Luck
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 603
From: Minneapolis Mn
XRav22 just gave me another thought. What about taking off the panel for accessing the battery? Would that give you enough room to get to the hood latch from the bottom (with or without the battery present)?
If nothing else, might get enough room to either stick a bore scope or a cell phone up there and see what's going on with the latch.
One more thought.
If nothing else, might get enough room to either stick a bore scope or a cell phone up there and see what's going on with the latch.
One more thought.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 66
From: Fitzwilliam New Hampshire
Are you saying that you have manual pull safety cables that come out by the wipers and they also broke along with the factory hood release cable? Something in latch must be broken or jammed.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
yep. Still haven't got it open. Indy 500 today.. kinda kicks me into wanting to try anything to get it open.
Last edited by ghoastrider1; May 26, 2017 at 08:12 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA