hood release broke at latch. hood is shut. helppp!!!

[mwooten92]

how can i open the hood with the hood release cable broke. i drove the truck home today for the first time and tried poping the hood when i got it in the garage. knowin that the cable was on its last leg. i barely pulled and it snapped. it snapped right at the latch and dont know how to open it.

any ways to open it?

[6772fan]

Depending on what year model it is, you may be able to remove the grill and gain access to the hood latch mechanism.

[mwooten92]

Originally Posted by 6772fan

Depending on what year model it is, you may be able to remove the grill and gain access to the hood latch mechanism.

its a 85 chevy c10

[pcmcobra]

Same thing happened to me. Get a pickle fork or pry bar, something sturdy enough and thin enough to get under hood. Slowly and gently pry up hood, you will need to get a socket in there (use small swivel head) to remove the two bolts holding latch. Get thos out and hood will come up, dont forget, dont close it again until you replace cable.
This can be done with none to VERY minimal damage. Take your time.
Good luck...this is the reason mine is getting painted.

[mwooten92]

Originally Posted by pcmcobra

Same thing happened to me. Get a pickle fork or pry bar, something sturdy enough and thin enough to get under hood. Slowly and gently pry up hood, you will need to get a socket in there (use small swivel head) to remove the two bolts holding latch. Get thos out and hood will come up, dont forget, dont close it again until you replace cable.
This can be done with none to VERY minimal damage. Take your time.
Good luck...this is the reason mine is getting painted.

alright thx hope i can get it open!

[oldschool18]

did it brake under the hood or in the cab

[mwooten92]

Originally Posted by oldschool18

did it brake under the hood or in the cab

it broke under the hood next to the latch for sure. the cable was starting to break near just havent gt a cable for it. it pulled through in the cab.

[oldschool18]

yeah you will have to pry it up

[RuralRoute C-30]

Had that happen once on my former 95 Caprice Wagon. Was able to go underneath with a long shafted screwdriver and triggered the latch that way. Wasn't easy.

Maybe a long narrow pipe/conduit if you can snake it up to the latch mechanism. Not sure if a coat hanger wire or something you could make a hook with would work from the grill?

Granted with the Caprice I had the entire service manual set that showed me the latch assembly.

Just a thought...good luck!
Mark

[knightowl73]

damn, i know how bad it sucks too. i actually had a candy job and couldnt even risk scratchng it back in the day. my dad actually got a cordless drill and got up in there and drilled a hole right behind the latch, in between the bolts that hold the bracket to the latch. then just unlatched it with a big screwdriver. might want to take that on for thought if you have new paint. and i just checked my truck, you will be pushng the lever toward the driver side of the truck.

i also recommend a brand new cable,i stole one from another truck at the junkyard trying to be cheap and it happened again about 4 mos later. good thing the hole was there, but was a b**** to get to up there, my arms kinda fatty.

[mwooten92]

Originally Posted by knightowl73

damn, i know how bad it sucks too. i actually had a candy job and couldnt even risk scratchng it back in the day. my dad actually got a cordless drill and got up in there and drilled a hole right behind the latch, in between the bolts that hold the bracket to the latch. then just unlatched it with a big screwdriver. might want to take that on for thought if you have new paint. and i just checked my truck, you will be pushng the lever toward the driver side of the truck.

i also recommend a brand new cable,i stole one from another truck at the junkyard trying to be cheap and it happened again about 4 mos later. good thing the hole was there, but was a b**** to get to up there, my arms kinda fatty.

cool, so he drilled up from behind the grill?
thx for the tips

[knightowl73]

yup from behind, no prob wth the help. i try to

[bumslie75]

you can pry it up and remove the two bolts holding the bottom of the latch to the top sec it happend to me a few weeks ago good luck

[mwooten92]

got it open!! used a small airbag to push one side of the hood up and used a long hook tool to trip the latch. got a zip tie tied to the latch so i can pull it till i can get a new cable.

[knightowl73]

glad to hear it!

[RuralRoute C-30]

Congratulations!
Mark

[ryanbenn1207]

That happened to me on a 89 dodge ram, i was able to crawl underneath the truck and use a long crewdriver to trigger the latch. have you looked to see if you can gain acess underneath the truck?