Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

[Paul S.]

Hi all,

The hood release cable on my '69 broke recently. Luckily, it broke under the dash, so I was able to grab the loose wire with some pliers and pull to get the hood open. At least, I thought I was lucky...

Upon further inspection, it wasn't just the cable that broke. The metal "tube" that the wire runs through under the dash actually cracked in half. This tube is attached to the mounting bracket, so I ordered a whole new bracket/wire/handle assembly.

The issue I am having now is that I cannot get to the two bolts that hold the broken bracket to the car. I removed the kick panel and loosened all the drivers side dash screws to try to get access, but the two bolts are still hidden.

Is there any way to get to them without taking the dash completely out? I would really appreciate any help or advice, as I just got this car back together and really am not looking to tear the dash out again.

Thanks,
Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

Hi all,

The hood release cable on my '69 broke recently. Luckily, it broke under the dash, so I was able to grab the loose wire with some pliers and pull to get the hood open. At least, I thought I was lucky...

Upon further inspection, it wasn't just the cable that broke. The metal "tube" that the wire runs through under the dash actually cracked in half. This tube is attached to the mounting bracket, so I ordered a whole new bracket/wire/handle assembly.

The issue I am having now is that I cannot get to the two bolts that hold the broken bracket to the car. I removed the kick panel and loosened all the drivers side dash screws to try to get access, but the two bolts are still hidden.

Is there any way to get to them without taking the dash completely out? I would really appreciate any help or advice, as I just got this car back together and really am not looking to tear the dash out again.

Thanks,
Paul

Paul------


All I can tell you is that the bolts are extremely difficult to access. It takes quite a bit of dash disassembly to get at them. Usually, it's only the inner cable that breaks. So, in that case, all one has to do is remove the old cable and insert the new. About a 5 minute job. Personally, I've never heard of a problem with the outer cable. For 1968-69 and beyond to at least about 1978 this outer cable was wound steel. I don't understand how this could fail.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

I did it a few weeks ago by “feel.” Still not easy, but easier than removing parts.

[Joe L.]

Re: Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

I did it a few weeks ago by “feel.” Still not easy, but easier than removing parts.

Patrick------


Why did you need to replace it?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

Working on adjusting the hood release and remove some slack due to wear. Didn’t replace, but still had to access it.

[Paul S.]

Re: Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

Thanks, guys... I am going to give it another try now that I at least know it can be done without totally removing the dash pad. I think I need to take out the heater duct on that side, which I didn't do yet. (I didn't want to rip into it any further without being sure it is actually possible to get to those bolts by doing so).

Joe, here is a photo of what is left of my bracket. I have no idea how it broke like this, as I was not present when it happened. I had the car at a shop having the carb tuned, and they did it. They actually did a good job tuning the carb, but this is why I hate taking any of my cars to shops!

20200720_193647.jpg

[Dick W.]

Re: Help! How do I change the hood release bracket?

Thanks, guys... I am going to give it another try now that I at least know it can be done without totally removing the dash pad. I think I need to take out the heater duct on that side, which I didn't do yet. (I didn't want to rip into it any further without being sure it is actually possible to get to those bolts by doing so).

Joe, here is a photo of what is left of my bracket. I have no idea how it broke like this, as I was not present when it happened. I had the car at a shop having the carb tuned, and they did it. They actually did a good job tuning the carb, but this is why I hate taking any of my cars to shops!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]100152[/ATTACH]

I think you can feel reasonably sure that the shop did not do anything to break the cable. Either a defective cable, or one whose time had come.

When we had a shop we had many, many things that decided to happen while a car was in the shop. We caught H**l for things. Worst one was a car that came in for a carb rebuild. While the car sat on in the shop a freeze plug decided to leak. We replace it, then over a few days two more started to leak. Oh did I mention that when we started the car after the carb rebuild the fuel pump started pumping more fuel on the ground than into the carb?

Things happen. Murphy was an optimist. If anything can go wrong it will, and at the worst possible time