TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu May 15, 2025 3:52 am

I've been having huge problems with my decklid release, as other people have said, sometimes it takes both hands to open it, yet sometimes it just will pop open whilst driving. I was wondering if anyone has used a solenoid / actuator to open the latch?

Fri May 16, 2025 2:02 am

Have you lubricated it? Hard to pull and not closing properly suggests there's too much friction around the plate.

Nicholas

Fri May 16, 2025 3:28 am

Hi Nicholas, yes, all greased up. Upon further investigation, I've found that the nylon tube, just behind where the knob is, has become distorted, possibly from heat? I think it's a repo tube, I'm thinking of replacing with some 8 or 10mm copper microbore tubing. Still doesn't explain it popping during a drive though.

Fri May 16, 2025 8:01 am

Quote: replacing with some 8 or 10mm copper microbore tubing. Still doesn't explain it popping during a drive though

I replaced mine with a tractor choke cable. Has a spring coil wrap. No 'slop'. The popping open is from a feature of the latch. If/when the cable breaks the rear hood unlatches. Yours must be too loose. 8)

Fri May 16, 2025 9:23 am

I've tried tightening / loosening it, goes between being impossible to open, to popping open.
The tractor cable sounds interesting, I guess the spring coil wrap is similar to that on a bicycle.

Fri May 16, 2025 11:56 am

you can see what I used....painted black of course. 8)

Sat May 17, 2025 4:59 pm

Great idea with the tractor cable. When I lube mine, I get a build up of lube at the end then force it further in with a shot of compressed air. Works really well for me.
I use fluid film for lube.

Sat May 17, 2025 5:04 pm

Quote: use fluid film

I got some of that but I was going to use it as undercoating.

Thu May 22, 2025 12:25 pm

Can you elaborate on the tractor tube you used? Mine has been inoperable since 2003, but the deck lid is heavy enough that it never pops open, nor does it close and lock.

My cable is broken and I am looking for the best idea to fix it, to include doing nothing if that seems legit.

Thu May 22, 2025 1:48 pm

Quote: tractor tube you used

Go to a Tractor Supple place and get a choke cable for a tractor. 6 to 7 foot will be enough. The stuffs easy to trim to fit.