TheSamba.com :: View topic - How do I attach the hood release handle to the cable?

Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:35 pm

I bought a hood release handle (the D handle) that attaches to the hood release cable a number of years ago. Every time I attach it to the cable it comes off after a couple of uses. I keep hearing that you have to "screw it on". But the end of the cable isn't threaded, it just has a bunch of bumps. Does anyone have any thoughts on how I can get this thing to go on and stay on? Thanks.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:00 pm

I think you need to unscrew the piece with the bumps out first. Mine just screwed right in.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:06 pm

Ferretkona wrote: I think you need to unscrew the piece with the bumps out first. Mine just screwed right in.

It's the actual end of the cable that has the bumps on it. It seems to me from what people are saying that the cable should be threaded???? If so, Mine's not the right cable.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:06 pm

The plastic D-handle does, in fact, just screw onto the cable end. The cable isn't threaded per se, but the handle will still "thread" onto the cable tip and the tight spring that is located at the end of the cable.

Of course none of this matters because the cheap plastic D-handle will just crack about the second or third time you use it. I'm on my third one - not including the one that came with the car when I bought it. I screw 'em right on and no matter how gently I try to pull the release, the plastic handle breaks on the second or third pull. I have even tried pulling (using two fingers) from the bottom of the "D" and the cheap-ass plastic still breaks.

Now all we need is for some guy from Denmark to fabricate a D-handle out of stainless steel! Man, I would be his first customer!!!

Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:32 pm

i'll look into it but it wont be cheap to do it in stainless.

how about alloy? powdercoaded black or raw for polish?

let me know

Andy from killer products (The guy from denmark) :-)

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:55 am

How about a slightly bigger D handle with a bigger ID for the cable. Then a small standard cable clamp could be attached to the cable inside the D. Wouldn't need to worry about stripping the D handle. No thread machining required.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:58 am

Video Bob wrote: How about a slightly bigger D handle with a bigger ID for the cable. Then a small standard cable clamp could be attached to the cable inside the D. Wouldn't need to worry about stripping the D handle. No thread machining required.

could be, but not a solution i would use under the killer products name.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:13 am

Ha! Gotta love those Danes!!! :D

I love my stainless steel, but I'm sure alloy will do the trick too :lol:

How about this? Extend the base of the handle down about a half an inch (13mm +/-), and then open the inner diameter a little so the handle will just slip over the cable end and spring. Put a small threaded hole (or two) with set screw(s) in the handle base which will secure the handle to the cable (like how some E-brake cables are secured). Powder coat and install!

I'll take one please. Thanks.

After going through 4 of these cheap plastic D-handles I can't imagine that I'm the only one who has had problems with them. And these will fit on Bugs too right?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:30 am

Fun 181: looks great - why dont you get somebody to cast them overthere?

it not cheap here in denmark/sweden.

and it seems you could do the drawnings yourself !

Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:24 am

There are actually two different "D" shaped handles available

111 823 461 (screw on)
and

111 823 461A (with retainer clip)

Both are shown at

http://www.airheadparts.com/products.asp?strMasterCat=2765&strYear=&strBodyType=

I use the handles with the retainer clip (111 823 461A) and have not had a handle problem.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:09 am

I haven't had any problems attaching, or keeping my handle attached. It's just that my cable release is a very firm pull. The flimsy plastic handle just can't take the stress and will crack on the second or third pull. I think the only way to solve the problem would be to have a metal handle fabricated. I'll see if this will be possible over the winter.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:15 am

Grease up the cable and springs?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:14 am

If someone could tell me the diameter of the shaft that the knob slips onto.....and does the handle have to be a"D" handle?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:46 am

Ian Epperson wrote: Grease up the cable and springs?

I think it's more of a high-tension issue - it's not sticking or hung up, just a really heavy pull.

Is everyone else's trunk cable release a light pull? I'll have to double check how my cable is set up.

werksberg wrote: If someone could tell me the diameter of the shaft that the knob slips onto.....and does the handle have to be a"D" handle?

A T-handle should work. I'll take measurements when I get home.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:56 am

I suspect that the handles are getting broken as a result of misadjusted latch, cable or incorrect cable sheath length. If everything is correct and adjusted jsut right the latch releases with a very light pull on the handle.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:53 pm

off topic a bit but on same topic, my handle has the same issue but it still works if one is gentle with it.....the problem I have is that the hood release cable where it goes into the trunk and clips on via the metal tab has come loose. When that happens, opening the trunk is a two person job, one to push down on the hood and pull up, the other to pull out the handle in the dash.
Any suggestions on how to fix that one without jeapordizing the stock nature of my ride? Anyone else have the same problem?

I purchased a brand new hood cable that I did not need but will keep it as a spare just in case...
In advance, thanks!

Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:48 am

I had the same problem and I order rubber hood stops (mine did not have when I bought) and replace the spring (all from the thing shop $9 spring $4 rubber) and now the hood works great every time. Without the rubber the hood would close to far and the old spring would get stuck. Took a long time to figure this one out. Good luck!

Sat May 23, 2009 6:54 pm

We need to rethink making a custom D ring. I just busted my brand new TTS cable. I still don't think I have my plastic tube right. There is a plastic stop on the outside of the tube that I think goes flush against the metal tube through the dash. I hope everyone is following me, but if I do this it sticks way out the inside of the glove box and is to short to reach near the latch. I just busted my handle and I can't get to work. I might go to the bike shop and see if they can fab a dandle to it, or just put something together myself. It seems like this is a bad setup from OE.

Anyone have pictures of their "guide tube" and handle?

Sun May 24, 2009 1:32 am

Slim, like the others said, your D handle breaking so often is probably a latch adjusting or grease the cable issue. I would say adjusting the latch. After installing new hood seal, my hood was hard to lock, and I had to pull hard on the D handle to open it. I adjusted the latch a bit more loose, and everything went smoother. I use my D handle every week or so (181 is daily driver) since 2 years and didn't break the handle (bought it from TTS).

Pierre

Sun May 24, 2009 1:37 am

caseydenise wrote: It seems like this is a bad setup from OE.

Anyone have pictures of their "guide tube" and handle?

Hi Casey,
It's not that bad OE. It has worked for years on many Things/181 and the system is similar on Bugs. You probably missed something during your reassembly. I'll take some pics tomorrow (it's night time here) but maybe some others here will be faster...

Pierre