Question about my Hood release cable and latch?

Question

My hood release cable has busted on my 1999 ford escort zx2. the latch is also rusted out. are there any alternatives other tyhan buying a new cable and latch? are there any parts that can hold my hood down without replacing them? thanks in advance for your help

Answer 1

Buy a new latch with cable, its not expensive.

Answer 2

My suggestion would be to work with what you have..The latch may be rusty, but use some WD-40 to get it working smoothly, then use some all purpose grease to keep it lubricated. Since the cable is broken, that will have to be replaced..If you can do it yourself you'll save the labor charge.

Installing hood pins to retain the hood is an option, but you'll be basically ruining your hood. Also, mounting them and lining them up is sometimes a chore.

If the original cable broke at the handle inside the car, you may be able to pull it though the firewall, cut back some of the outer sleeve and stuff the extra behind the bumper. This way you'll still be able to use it to release the hood, without replacing anything or mangling your hood with hood pins.

Answer 3

Actually you can install after market hood pins nomally used on race cars...

because of security issues being a concern I have seen some people who substituted rubber coated pad locks in place of the hair pins to keep the hoods shut...

here is a link to site that sells them they're only $7.95 with pad locks and the rubber tool coating you'ld be about $20.00 if you do the install yourself...

http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?form_prod_id=240,58,363_4222&action=product

using these you can eliminate the hood latch and cable if you wish...

if you do not want to put holes in the hood there is another way of doingit but it is a lot more complex and expensive but it hides the pins and locks in the grille area too...

Walt

Answer 4

i own a shop,and you,ll actually have to replace the latch and the cable on it,to get it to work right again,if not it could fly open at any time on you,and that would most likely make you have a bad accident,id just replace it ,even a used one from a junk yard would be alright to put on it,it would last a long time,and be a lot cheaper,good luck i hope this helps.

Answer 5

You could go to a junk yard and get the parts you need. If your hood is not held down good it could fly up while driving, not good.

Answer 6

Racing style hood pins would work, but they may cost more than a factory type cable setup.

Answer 7

no, thats about it.the cable and latch is what holds the hood down.

Answer 8

drill 2 holes and install hood pins like nascar