Arthritis and the C5 hood release.
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Arthritis and the C5 hood release.
Arthritis has robbed much Hand Strength from many us old guys. Are there ways to opporate, or fix the gorilla like hood release that GMs "hood release designer" has left us with?... I see a future coming of not having the gorilla like strength needed to operate the damned GM hood release...... Ridiculous situation. Hurts like a SOB!
#2
Arthritis has robbed much Hand Strength from many us old guys. Are there ways to opporate, or fix the gorilla like hood release that GMs "hood release designer" has left us with?... I see a future coming of not having the gorilla like strength needed to operate the damned GM hood release...... Ridiculous situation. Hurts like a SOB!
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oh1c5Pewter (03-21-2021)
#3
Racer
The metal wire inside the release cables might need some lube. You should be able to disconnect the cable at either end and spray some lithium grease or PB Blaster down the line. Or the releases under the hood might need some attention.
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I agree with maybe lubricating the hood release mechanism (on both ends) and see if that helps.
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walleyejack (03-14-2021)
#7
Melting Slicks
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Well hell... Lubed up (so to speak) the cable and latch mechanism.... No change. Now my question is, can the hood latch (s) mechanism itself be manipulated? Perhaps it's adjustable? ... For sure I don't want to create a bigger problem for myself... So.... I'll ask you guys for answers..... Seams as the striker bar on the hood has worn a bit of a groove at its strike point.?... Anyone else experienced such?
#8
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You need more leverage on the release handle in the car; make a longer handle out of wood, plastic or aluminum that you can clip onto the factory handle when you want to open the hood.
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Hmm... I've never had any issues opening the hood (and I have significant arthritis in both hands). Closing it on the other hand can be a PITA if it isn't done JUST right. I feel like there must be an issue somewhere if the hood release is taking that much effort. My Corvette's hood isn't any harder to open than any other car I've ever had. I hope you're able to figure it out. Good luck.
#10
Melting Slicks
Couple of thoughts. You say it hurts. Is this due to the release handle digging into your hand? If yes, you could get a piece of hose or tubing, cut it to the length of the handle and slit it from end to end. It will allow you to slip it over the handle and distribute some of the force on your fingers.
Thinking a little out of the box. Find someone or yourself to figure out an electric release similar to the hatch / trunk.
The Vette might take a little more force than most because you're releasing two latches vs most cars have one.
Thinking a little out of the box. Find someone or yourself to figure out an electric release similar to the hatch / trunk.
The Vette might take a little more force than most because you're releasing two latches vs most cars have one.
#11
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Hmm... I've never had any issues opening the hood (and I have significant arthritis in both hands). Closing it on the other hand can be a PITA if it isn't done JUST right. I feel like there must be an issue somewhere if the hood release is taking that much effort. My Corvette's hood isn't any harder to open than any other car I've ever had. I hope you're able to figure it out. Good luck.
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My hood release does operate smoothly. I've actually never had any issues with it, so I'm not certain how to fix it. I would have suggested lubrication, but it seems you've already tried that with no luck. Perhaps your latches are misaligned, or your bump stops might need to be adjusted. Is it possible that your cable is snagging on something? I'm very sorry that you're having issues. I can certainly relate to arthritis making things difficult. Unfortunately, I don't have a good step by step guide on how to fix your issue. I was just letting you know that needing "gorilla like strength" to open the hood is not necessarily normal for the C5. So while I'm not sure how to fix it, I do feel like it CAN be fixed. Best of luck. If you figure it out, please let us know.
#13
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Thanks folks for the replies... Gonna try the suggestions... Or Guess I just won't open it... GM has once again dropped me in the crapola... When will I learn they are Chevrolet designers, not necessarily Corvette people.
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grinder11 (03-19-2021)
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I would talk to somebody who does body work, and have him take a look at it. If it's lubed well, there might be an alignment thing going on that a body guy could spot quickly. Seems that most Corvettes I've seen open with a light touch. My arthritis isn't developed enough, but I hear you!
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Last edited by grinder11; 03-19-2021 at 12:10 PM.
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Even something simple like using a back scratcher to hook under the latch and pull on the long handle could solve your issue.
#18
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Arthritis has robbed much Hand Strength from many us old guys. Are there ways to opporate, or fix the gorilla like hood release that GMs "hood release designer" has left us with?... I see a future coming of not having the gorilla like strength needed to operate the damned GM hood release...... Ridiculous situation. Hurts like a SOB!
#19
Maybe someone could drill a hole in the release in the release handle and attach a short pull with a loop?
Not sure on the motorcycle lube myself, I think that's meant to help the chain survive sprocket impacts more than
simple lube, and it's made to cling as well typically, which probably isn't what you want going on inside a cable housing.
Not sure on the motorcycle lube myself, I think that's meant to help the chain survive sprocket impacts more than
simple lube, and it's made to cling as well typically, which probably isn't what you want going on inside a cable housing.
Last edited by F1Fan; 03-19-2021 at 12:10 PM.
#20
Maybe someone could drill a hole in the release in the release handle and attach a short pull with a loop?
Not sure on the motorcycle lube myself, I think that's meant to help the chain survive sprocket impacts more than
simple lube, and it's made to cling as well typically, which probably isn't what you want going on inside a cable housing.
Not sure on the motorcycle lube myself, I think that's meant to help the chain survive sprocket impacts more than
simple lube, and it's made to cling as well typically, which probably isn't what you want going on inside a cable housing.