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Thread: Has anyone replaced the hood release cable?

  1. #1
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    Has anyone replaced the hood release cable?

    Is there an easy way to replace the hood release cable without removing the front fender?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    nope.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by cartoonz View Post
    nope.
    Well shit. I'll be sure to take pictures.

  4. #4
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    Had a 1991 BMW 850

    Fender

    Quote Originally Posted by DanB View Post
    Well shit. I'll be sure to take pictures.
    Fender is not that hard to take off.

    I took off the right one due to damage. I don't get where that cable would run on the left, I need to do the same I just have not started to dig into it yet
    Fender (2).jpg

  5. #5
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    It's more of a cosmetic concern as I had the car repainted a few years ago and the paint is thick enough on the fender/bolt heads that I think it will chip or sheet off. Will just have to touch up I guess.

    Didn't know you could remove a fender with the front bumper installed.

  6. #6
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    Update: Finally did this without removing the fender.

    While I think the correct procedure would be to remove the driver's side fender, I was able to locate a brass fitting of some kind in my toolbox (no idea what it's really for), attach the end of the old cable to the beginning of the new one, wrap it in electrical tape, and fish it through the firewall.

    I first removed the footwell speaker / pod so that I could fit my hand up into where the wire passes by and help fish it through the firewall (pushing old disintegrated grommet through). The rest was done by slowing pulling from the front. Then you have to reach back into the speaker pod void and push to seat the new grommet in the firewall.

    (The whole thing was wrapped to pass through. Just a shot of the fitting used.)

    hooked together.JPG

    fitting 2.JPG

    I did end up scraping the rubber insulation but I can live with that. It's tucked inside the fender and not visible.

    scraped up.JPG
    Last edited by DanB; 07-03-2019 at 12:38 PM.

  7. #7
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    thanks DanB for update !
    PS pitty a lot of threads start with questions that are never answered.

  8. #8
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    I need to get ambitious and fix mineE-Bay Ad (1).jpg

  9. #9
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    It's all a matter of getting one of those metal thingys to mate the two cables together in a way that they can fit through a dime-sized hole. I tried a very small hose clamp at first and it was a no-go.

    I have no idea where to buy more of them, but bycle brake adjusters look like they might work.

    https://www.amazon.com/Gracefulvara-...gateway&sr=8-5

    61xVruDINoL._SL1001_.jpg

    If I had to do it again I'd wrap the rubber insulation with electrical tape and remove on the other side.
    Last edited by DanB; 07-03-2019 at 04:13 PM.

  10. #10
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    That was a really good fix!
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Timm View Post
    That was a really good fix!
    Now that's a high honor, thanks!

  12. #12
    Join Date
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    Had a 1991 BMW 850
    Took the Fender off, I have the Kick Panel and Speaker out. Old Cable snapped trying to pull the new one thru

    Where is the hole I am either going to push the new cable thru or a fish tape thru?

    Since I Have my fender off what does it make easier to do?

  13. #13
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    Had a 1991 BMW 850

    Found it

    I had to use a Fish Tape thru the front. Fender off is so you can use the top big hole to guide the fish tape thru the dime size hole you can barely see in there. Fun Times /s

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