After a fun 3 day drive, a the end of the trip my Hood latch cable broke, at the latch. I have a plan based on some research, but in case I missed some thing obvious has anyone dealt with this issue.

My plan is pretty simple :

• Long thin screw driver
• Insert it into a gap in the protective cover through the grill
• Try and catch the lever to pop the hood

Yes much cursing will be involved. I am also sure there is tool designed for just this issue which is well kept secret.


Grizzly falls - it was a good trip

 

lots of cursing and fumbling around. It's doable but a pain.

 

----> https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...aranoia-60156/

Takes a screwdriver to remove the corner light and pull the release wire left behind . By the way; lubrication turns it very smooth to release the hood before anything brakes.

 

Great idea preventing this from happening... My hood release cable is getting less smooth by the decade... Where exactly are the lubrication points?

 

@Dave03S I will do a write up as a the new cable is a few weeks away. But ideally:

• Mark the latch mechanism position before starting
• Remove the latch mechanism clean and lubricate all the moving bits
• Check the cable end for wear and lubricate the cable
• Check the inside handle mechanism for wear and lubricate the moving bits
• Check your cable for binding, with it disconnected it should move smoothly without any hitching

 

I worked for me without any dissasembly lubricating only the moving part pulled by the cable.

 

@Externet I am thinking it should but I kept mine well lubricated, and here I am.

Mind you my cable appears to have failed without warning I literally had opened the hood 6 hours earlier, with no indication of binding or stress. I figure after 18 or so years they may need some cleanup on the under side and cable inspection.

 

Plan A failed on to plan b, more to follow but this PDF may help the next guy. From LR4x4 Forum.

 

A small update

After cutting the cable sheath near to the mechanism and pulling on the cable I got the worst case :



In theory you can access the catch from the left rear of the housing, I tried a lot of stuff but no joy


You could try and get the catch from behind the cable and rivet.

Out came a wood bit to open some examination and access "ports". The second image is where I should be able to hit the latch to right and pop the hood. A "L" shaped tool should do the trick. More to come after work.



This is the way in with luck

 

Richard, congrats on getting the hood to open!

It appears to be that I should make a small cutout in the plastic shield for emergency access just in case I am stuck in the bush with the same situation.

As well as a L-shaped tool to bring as part of the offroading tool kit (maybe something adapted from a cheap trim tool from Amazon, i.e., cut off one of the "ear" and use the other already bent "ear" of the trim tool).

Awaiting further insight from you on this.