'57 hood release cable

[Rod K.]

Having checked the archives and the Restorer archives, I find but one inquiry on this subject with no responses.

The question is how to disassemble, without destroying, the hood release handle, the dash mounting bracket and the thick "washer" on the handle side of the bracket for replating. It appears everything is "permanently" staked together. Can it be disassembled, replated and reassembled?

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Don E.]

Re: '57 hood release cable

Rod, I am interested in hearing any responses you receive on this topic. I have a an early '58 (e.g. Dec '57 birthdate), that has a broken cable on the original release cable. While I have purchased a replacement, I am interested in repairing/restoring the original cable pull.

Don

[Rod K.]

Re: '57 hood release cable

Don,

So far, no responses. I contacted the previous poster of a similar inquiry May '05) who also received none. I think the problem is that there is no simple solution.

After a closer look at mine, it appears that the whole thing is made up of two or three pieces in addtion to the cables which are probably pre-plated then staked or swaged together in a "permanent" assembly. I think you might be able to disassemble the mounting bracket by grinding or deforming the staked areas with the loss of staking material. To repair the cables, I think you'd have to start by "unswaging" the end of the tube where the cables enter the bracket assembly. Beyond that, I don't know how you would proceed. The cables are obvoiusly attached to the handle, but in what manner I don't know. They're probably staked into the end of the shaft and maybe could be removed and reattached if one had the necessary tools and skill. I suspect the handle is a press fit onto the shaft and would probably have to be removed in the process. All this would take some relatively special tools to do it right. I'd love to have a junk assembly to investigate.

I don't expect any "further" responses to this inquiry due to its age now, but stay tuned. Sorry I couldn't offer any hard info, just speculation. Good luck to you.