[2011blackcummins]

Since I got my truck the hood release has been more difficult (IMO) than it should to pull and open the hood.

Well, today i went to open the hood and the release handle broke and cut the heck out of my finger in the process.

Is there anything I can check to see what would cause it to be difficult to pull the cable? The actual latch seems to move easily.

Any suggestions on release replacements?

Thanks,

John

 

[peckens]

probably a coroded cable. You can easily make a new one. or get a universal one

 

[justinfonder]

also, look at the latch where it meets the hood. i have a little ford ranger POS daily driver that had been in a small fender bender, pushed the core support in just enough to cause the hood latch to jam. couldn't tell it's been in an accident with the naked eye. anyhow, found where the latch was wedged against the hood and just ground down that area some until it popped easier.

 

[2011blackcummins]

thanks guys...

i went out and sprayed the latch mechanism all down good with white lithium. cycled it several times with the hood up, and then also sprayed some on the shaft of the release handle under the dash as well and cycled it several times.

it seems to be working better, still not that easy, but much better. i can pull it with one hand now and not need the other hand bracing the dash because it was going to rip off the mount.

sucks that the plastic broke; i should've sprayed everything down earlier.

any ideas on replacing the broken handle?

thanks,

John

 

[justinfonder]

any ideas on replacing the broken handle?

thanks,

John

junk yard. van/ramcharger/truck should all be the same.

 

[Blue Goose]

yup...time for another cable.

 

[thrashingcows]

When you get a new cable assembly soak it in a bucket of used engine oil for a few days. The oil will seep into the case and help keep things moving smoothly for many years to come.

You could probably use a hood release cable from an 79 and older full size chrysler...300, newport, newyorker, fury, monaco etc....

 

[Ruderunner]

Lithium is about the worst thing you can use on hood latches and door hinges. It doesn't get into the moving parts and attracts a ton of dirt/grit that gums em up more. Use Blaster to clean and lube then regular oil for maintainence (think drain oil from oil changes)

Also yep check the adjustment, after all these years it's likely that somthing shifted even without an accident.

 

[Sutter1stgen]

I closely inspected my latch mechanism as if it were a wore out trigger. some of the components had wear grooves into them. A quick smoothing out with a die grinder had my hood release working super smooth again. If your in a rusty climate it wouldn't hurt to replace the cable, but I'd also check for any rough wear on the latch mechanism.

Another thing everyone should do is attach a backup cable. Bc847 did this in one of his rewrite ups, and I can say even out here in pristine auto country Ca, it has saved my rear.

 

[Blue Goose]

knock on my wooden head..here in the rust belt I've never had trouble with a rusty latch or cable. did have a handle break once.

 

[W350_1992]

The hood release cable snapped on my truck one day(rusted), I installed an emergency cable to open it through the grill. Your lucky if you can open the hood after the cable breaks.

 

[2011blackcummins]

junk yard. van/ramcharger/truck should all be the same.

i've only seen 2 trucks in my area....i'll check the cables out

i wonder if anyone just sells handles of some sort that will fit onto the square shaft? I could get the rest of the plastic off of it, and then gorilla glue a new knob/handle on it to use??

When you get a new cable assembly soak it in a bucket of used engine oil for a few days. The oil will seep into the case and help keep things moving smoothly for many years to come.

You could probably use a hood release cable from an 79 and older full size chrysler...300, newport, newyorker, fury, monaco etc....

thanks for the tip

Lithium is about the worst thing you can use on hood latches and door hinges. It doesn't get into the moving parts and attracts a ton of dirt/grit that gums em up more. Use Blaster to clean and lube then regular oil for maintainence (think drain oil from oil changes)

Also yep check the adjustment, after all these years it's likely that somthing shifted even without an accident.

that makes sense about the grease...guess, the things i've sprayed with lithium i'll PB Blast, and then you suggest using some WMO for maintenance?

Thanks again,

John

 

[2011blackcummins]

thinking about cleaning the shaft off, and then using just a handle or knob that accepts square shafts like a door knob or something.

a couple members have PM'd me about new cables, and i'll prolly get one from them as a backup as well.

thanks,

John

 

[justinfonder]

If you can't come up with anything I'll get one from a yard local and mail it to you. Just let me know, usually plenty to pick from here

 

[Brucetafer]

I went through this 2-3 years ago, got a new cable assembly from dodge, 35 bucks.. the end broke off the first pull.. had to break my grill to open the hood.. went and got another (warranty) and the EXACT same thing.. the little metal at the end pulled off... again, spent 20 minutes opening the hood... 3 time was the charm, and night and day difference in pull and super smooth... plus you get a new pull handle so it looks new..

 

[Jim L]

I cannot stress this enough, it is better to have this and never use it than to need it and not have it,
Mine is still in perfect condition and I will hopefully never need it but if I do it will be as simple as pulling the emergency release and not having to break my grille out or ruin my hood.

Emergency Hood Release - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

Jim

 

[rosco2002]

i used a edelbrock choke cable and a carb cable clamp 10 min latter works like a dream plus the knob is nice and shinny lol

 

[W350_1992]

I cannot stress this enough, it is better to have this and never use it than to need it and not have it,
Mine is still in perfect condition and I will hopefully never need it but if I do it will be as simple as pulling the emergency release and not having to break my grille out or ruin my hood.

Emergency Hood Release - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

Jim

That's basically what I did, mine didn't turn out that purdy but it works. :thumbsup:

 

[2011blackcummins]

i used a edelbrock choke cable and a carb cable clamp 10 min latter works like a dream plus the knob is nice and shinny lol

seems like a good setup :thumbsup:

 

[justinfonder]

I cannot stress this enough, it is better to have this and never use it than to need it and not have it,
Mine is still in perfect condition and I will hopefully never need it but if I do it will be as simple as pulling the emergency release and not having to break my grille out or ruin my hood.

Emergency Hood Release - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

Jim

never had a problem with the hood release on this truck, but this just went to the very top of my to-do list! great thread!:thumbsup: