Hood backup cable

[Pascal]

As a new owner I made a list of all the things I would like to do on my Delorean.
Very high on the list was a hood backup cable. I already read that this was quite essential as there is no easy way to open the hood when the original cable would snap.

I bought a bicycle brake cable and now I was looking for a neat way to fasten the cable in the trunk. I think I read all the posts on a backup cable but I still didn't find a way I really liked on fastening the cable.

When I was looking through some junk I came across a shackle and I thought this maybe could work.
The pin in the shackle was a little too thick so a had to make it a little thinner. I also drilled a hole to fasten the pin.
On the second picture you can see the original pin and the one I made from the shackle.

The original pin was held by a spring but I preferred using a hitch pin to secure the pin.

In the end i really worked well and I am very pleased with the result.

Pascal

[Tillsy]

there is no easy way to open the hood when the original cable would snap.

Great work!

Another option is installing an electronic actuator - which pulls directly on the latch directly, completely bypassing the cable. Even if you don't have a Wings-A-Loft system you could still install just that one component and wire it to a switch hanging behind your console so you can push it in an emergency (though but might as well permanently mount it somewhere as it is immensely useful for full-time use rather than pulling the release handle under the dash).

Even though I have a Wings-A-Loft system I rarely open the trunk by remote as I also wired it to my custom centre console and just push a button when getting out to instantly pop it.

Otherwise, a backup cable is absolutely a good idea - it is possible to get a trunk open if the cable is snapped, but it's not something you'd ever want the stress of having to go through!

[SS Spoiler]

Beings that I have a gas flap hood, I rigged a stiff wire handle to the latch. Now I open the "hood" from outside the car
without having to open the door. I don't think i've used the inside one in years.

Paul Cerny 2691
Kalispell, MT

[Trstno1]

As a new owner I made a list of all the things I would like to do on my Delorean.
Very high on the list was a hood backup cable. I already read that this was quite essential as there is no easy way to open the hood when the original cable would snap.

I bought a bicycle brake cable and now I was looking for a neat way to fasten the cable in the trunk. I think I read all the posts on a backup cable but I still didn't find a way I really liked on fastening the cable.

When I was looking through some junk I came across a shackle and I thought this maybe could work.
The pin in the shackle was a little too thick so a had to make it a little thinner. I also drilled a hole to fasten the pin.
On the second picture you can see the original pin and the one I made from the shackle.

The original pin was held by a spring but I preferred using a hitch pin to secure the pin.

In the end i really worked well and I am very pleased with the result.

Pascal

Very nice! You have got me thinking about this again, and it looks like a good winter project. Thanks for the contribution!

[David T]

I would not consider having an electric actuator a "back-up". I also don't like the idea of being able to open the hood by opening the fuel door for security purposes. If you are going to do it for the original reason, to open the hood in the case where the primary cable breaks, you need to have a mechanical cable attached to the latch mechanism going into the passenger compartment where you can reach it. You should also test it once in a while just to be sure it works when you also inspect the primary cable. If you see fraying strands don't waste any time getting it fixed!

[TTait]

I bought a backup cable for my other car. and installed it in about a minute alongside the original one, in the same sheath and i thought using the same hole in the lever. No problem.

I just bought one for the second car, but the hole in the lever on the latch looks way too small to hold two cables at once - what have i forgotten?

[Elvis]

Question:

Why do those cables break ?

I don't see a reason for it. There is no high force and it's used so rarely - why would it snap ?

One thing I could imagne is a sharp angle, but that's something that can be solved.


Did sembody waste his time with solving this question ?

Thanks,
Elvis & 6548

[Victor]

Question:

Why do those cables break ?

I don't see a reason for it. There is no high force and it's used so rarely - why would it snap ?

One thing I could imagne is a sharp angle, but that's something that can be solved.


Did sembody waste his time with solving this question ?

Thanks,
Elvis & 6548

Good question. One easy thing to do is to remove the wire and apply a good grease all along that wire and put it back in the sleeve. We use to do this to brake wire for bikes and it prevent rust for good and it make the actuation very smooth. Here we have product like Rustcheck in spray (the green can) which is not a grease per see but certainly can last longer than a grease. But I guess you can also use grease used in aircraft and such.

[David T]

Good question. One easy thing to do is to remove the wire and apply a good grease all along that wire and put it back in the sleeve. We use to do this to brake wire for bikes and it prevent rust for good and it make the actuation very smooth. Here we have product like Rustcheck in spray (the green can) which is not a grease per see but certainly can last longer than a grease. But I guess you can also use grease used in aircraft and such.

The cable usually breaks right where it attaches to the release handle. As it moves, the handle moves through an arc and bends the cable pretty severely right at that point. One spot to always look at for any signs of fraying. Even though it may be used rarely try to guess how many times it gets pulled in 30 years. The back-up cable is so inexpensive and can save you so much aggravation it just makes sense to have it.

[DMCMW Dave]

Question:

Why do those cables break ?

I don't see a reason for it. There is no high force and it's used so rarely - why would it snap ?

One thing I could imagne is a sharp angle, but that's something that can be solved.


Did sembody waste his time with solving this question ?

Thanks,
Elvis & 6548

Because so many people pull VERY Hard on the handle expecting the hood to pop. Then the bracket that holds the cable bends. Then the cable comes out of the bracket at a right angle and frays. Then in breaks.

The fix is to be sure that the cable is coming straight out of the hold in the jacket, and break the fingers of anyone but yourself who opens the bonnet.