C-3 hood latch cable

[James G.]

I managed to get the hood open by removing the side grille on the fender. I ordered a new cable but I am having a hard time trying to remove the old cable assembly. Do you have to take the dash apart or go under the dash and remove the ventilation duct to get at the cable bracket bolt?

[Ken C.]

Re: C-3 hood latch cable

jim, when i replaced mine. All i did was remove the handle and wire, kept existing casing, mounts in place. i just pushed the new wire/handle into casing. Didnt have a problem. Well, did have to push and twist the wire 2 or 3 times. A lot easier then removing casing and mounts and reruning it thru the firewall. forgot whom on forum gave me that info. But only took about 10 to complete remove old handle/wire and install new.

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 hood latch cable

I managed to get the hood open by removing the side grille on the fender. I ordered a new cable but I am having a hard time trying to remove the old cable assembly. Do you have to take the dash apart or go under the dash and remove the ventilation duct to get at the cable bracket bolt?

James-----


Yes, removing the cable bracket bolt is a "bear" and requires certain dash disassembly to get at it. However, you're in luck here because the job can be made VERY easy. Simply remove the handle and cable assembly from the car by pulling it out. Then, remove the handle and cable assembly from the new unit by pulling it out. Last, insert the new handle and cable assembly into the EXISTING bracket/tube assembly and attach the cable retainer. DONE.

A bonus for doing it the EASY way: the new bracket and tube assembly uses a plastic tube; the original uses a wound steel tube which is easily discernable if the car were ever judged. Replacing just the handle and cable assembly preserves the original bracket and tube.

One slight issue of originality: the original handle and cable assembly uses a monofilament cable (i.e. "solid wire"). The replacement uses a STRANDED WIRE cable. Functionally, the stranded wire is MUCH better since it will not work harden and break like the monofilament. However, the stranded wire is not as-original for most C3's. I believe the monofilament handle and cable assembly is now available in reproduction. However, I would NEVER use it. Use the stranded cable and forget it; judging points be damned in this case. Also, I use double retainers to retain the cable end as an extra "ounce-of-prevention".

[James G.]

Re: C-3 hood latch cable

Thanks for your replys. Joe, as far as dash disassembly where would I find the procedure if I chose to do it? My cable bracket is loose, moves from side to side. I would like to tighten it if possible. ( I will send the 14 year old to do any under dash work)

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3 hood latch cable

Thanks for your replys. Joe, as far as dash disassembly where would I find the procedure if I chose to do it? My cable bracket is loose, moves from side to side. I would like to tighten it if possible. ( I will send the 14 year old to do any under dash work)

James----


I don't think this is covered very well in the Corvette Service Manual. You may be able to get up under the dash and tighten the 2 bolts that retain the bracket to the pillar post. However, I don't think you'll be able to get at them this way. So, then you'll need to remove the right side lower dash pad. I think you'll be able to get at the bolts then. However, to remove the lower dash pad, you will usually have to lower the steering column.