Broke My Hood Cable :(

[alexGS]

maybe if you drop your top before beginning the install process

Working on my instrument panel recently, I discovered that although it should make no difference whether the top and windows are up or down, it really does. I think just about any job is much more pleasant with the top/windows down

As for releasing the hood. I might be right out of line here, but I remember on the FIAT 128 saloon (whoops, sedan, see I'm trying to use the right terms here, I almost said "hood and windows down" before) the technique was to remove the radiator grille, unbolt the hinges, grasp the front edge of the hood and pull forward, because the pin lies fore-aft in the catch. Is that possible on the Spider?

[manoa matt]

You can't get the grill out without opening the hood. The upper radaitor support bar prevents you from accessing the hinge bolts. The hood is wedge shaped and will not slide forward.

BTW I think the original poster got the hood open by having a locksmith come out and pry up on the rear edges of the hood to insert a piece of bent metal to pop the latch.

[SlickItalian]

I havent had the time to even drive the car let alone get the hood open!! I'm in the process of ordering a new cable before I try and get it open so I can just replace it, change the oil adjust the carb and be one my way. I took her out for a little tour tonight with a pretty girl and my rear muffler decided it wanted to fall off. I sound like a buzzing honda now. I guess when it rains it pours right?

You can't get the grill out without opening the hood. The upper radaitor support bar prevents you from accessing the hinge bolts. The hood is wedge shaped and will not slide forward.

BTW I think the original poster got the hood open by having a locksmith come out and pry up on the rear edges of the hood to insert a piece of bent metal to pop the latch.

[manoa matt]

Woops, I thought that was you. Apparently somenone else had the same problem at the same time, go figure. You probably don't want to hear this but it cost them around $300. I think I'd at least try a few things before I shelled out that much dough.

[Snoopy]

Because i read this here i test my backup hood opener cable and it broke immediately...
Good idea to renew it...