Thanks. After reading your description of getting at the cable, I went out and
inspected the system more closely. I figured there must be a way to artificially
shorten the cable. After a couple of hours of pondering and experimenting, I
simply put a half hitch in the front, hood latch cable end. I bought my Civic LX
new in 1991. After I think ten years of not working, I now have a functioning
hood release lever.

I noticed that the entire front latch assembly may be moved as much as around
1/2 inch in direction or the other. I presume this is to allow more precise
hood-release-cable tensioning as needed.

My only concern is that the half hitch may put undue stress on the cable and
some time cause a cable break. Getting into the hood release mechanism looks
like a fairly unpleasant chore at that point. I imagine I'd go in from the
bottom... Point being, buying a whole new cable is on my list for the next year
or so.

Thanks for your suggestions.


"Mista Bone" <mistab0ne@nospam.net> wrote
> You replace the whole assembly.
>
> The new part from Honda includes the pull lever, cable, and firewall
> grommet.
> it was about $23 from www.slhonda.com
>
> "Caroline" <caroline10027remove@earthlink.net> wrote
> > Mista,
> >
> > My hood release cable became "overstretched" years ago. The result is the
> hood
> > release lever doesn't extend it far enough to pop the hood. The hood
> release
> > lever itself is not broken. I open the hood using pliers to grasp the end
> of the
> > cable and pulling. It's not difficult, but it's also not convenient.
> >
> > Can I get in there following your directions and replace the hood release
> cable
> > in its entirety?
> >
> > I've had the front hood release mechanism apart (for cleaning) but at the
> time
> > wasn't sure I could easily thread a new hood release cable into place for
> the
> > whole length.
> >
> > I guess the alternative is to figure out how to move the metal stopper on
> the
> > end of the cable so the distance is correct.
> >
> > "Mista Bone" <mistab0ne@nospam.net> wrote
> > > Just did it this weekend on my 93 Civic.
> > >
> > > Jack up car (use stands!) and remove LF wheel.
> > >
> > > Remove front bumper and LF inner fender liner. Unhook the cable from the
> > > outside latch, then unbolt the the inside pull. The rest is pretty
> simple.
> > > It took me about 30 minutes, but my front bumper was already off from a
> > > wreck.
> > >
> > > A dealership mechanic should be able to get it done in about 1-1.2
> hours.
> > >
> > >
> > > "sat" <satadalb@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > > news:d72c00feebb1787f255cec7f9fff4315@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > The plastic lever (which you pull to open the hood) on my 1997 Honda
> Civic
> > > is broken. The cable is fine though. I have to pull the broken lever
> with a
> > > plier or tongs to get the hood open. The dealer is aksing 2 hrs of labor
> to
> > > replace it. The part is under $20. Can anybody please let me know
> whether it
> > > is possible to do it by self? If so how to get it done?
> > > > Thanks,
> > > > Sat
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>