Just did the cable replacement. It went Exactly as you demonstrated. There's a special place in heaven for folks like you who take the time to teach others.
OH WOW !!! This is the 2nd video I saw Where the host actually explains in great details and gives you tips on what to do unlike the 1st video about a very hostile or upset mechanic, (it doesn't matter) who just sat there talking and mentioned something about fishing. Great job!! Thanks for the details, your experience and passion shows with your Deliberation.
I recently ran into an issue where the hood latch itself does not want to full disengage from the hood when the release is pulled. When I searched for videos on how to replace it this was the first result... 8 years later and its still helping people with their Elements. Be safe, have fun, and stay dirty!
Thanks Eric. This helped a lot with my daughter's 2003 Element, particularly with the hidden nylon clip up in the fenderwell. I spend about $15 for a new cable at O'Reilly, then $5.20 at the dealer for four new nylon clips. Hate to think what the dealer would have nicked me for the job.
I trully appreciate the details you give as you show the work. the helpful hints & the why it's done that way. little things your dad would point out as he showed you you too young to be my dad, so this WILL work.
Hi Eric! Just wanted to thank you for the motivation you provide to people watching your videos. I've certainly been motivated. Looking at you getting things done with couple of sockets, a screwdriver and good old penetrating oil made me take care of my car. Maintaining a US spec vehicle (Mazda 6 3.0l V6) is not easy in Poland, believe me. Aftermarket parts are pretty much not existent so anything needs replacing means a trip to the dealer. Remember when you worked on "the Pirate" Nissan SE-arrrrrrrrrrrrrr car you mentioned pirate air being the term for unmeasured air sucked into the engine. This got me thinking about problems I had with performance which mechanics couldn't diagnose. There was a huge crack in the pipe connecting air box and throttle (how they didn't spot this is beyond my comprehension). All in all, I took some spanners, screwdriver and some cleaning fluids, taped up the cracked pipe and the car runs beautifully. I'm amazed how such a simple fix transformed the engine response. You've certainly lived up to your motto of helping people fix their cars on a budget. Stay Dirty! Michael
My daughter's 2004 Civic had the same problem. Your solution is great if you want to go to all the work and expense. However there are several videos on the web offering other solutions. I chose to use the one that uses a drill stop to replace the handle. I got a set of them from Home Depot for about $7.00. I round off the remaining plastic handle on the cable end in the passenger compartment. I then shoes to closest drill stop to the end of the cable and tightened the set screw to secure the drill stop. While it's not as pretty as a new cable, it is a permanent fix that will not break off. It has been 2 years now and all continues to work well. Bonus, a lot less disassembly and no worry about braking expensive plastic clips available only from Honda. To each his own - Form follows function.
FYI A trick we used to do to help reinstall the hood latch, Also works with hoods, doors and trunk lids ... We would drilled two 1/8" holes through the latch or hinges before removal. When reattaching just insert two 1/8" drills or pins through and tighten. Perfect alignment every time.
I bought a 2007 Element LX in september of 2020. It came with a pair of pliers to open the hood so I laughed pretty hard when you showed a pair of pliers in the video. Bought a replacement cable from rockauto along with a bunch of other parts.
AMC hood cables from '79 to the end of production are basically the same design and are also constantly broken. I've often considered building up the back of mine with a mountain of JB Weld to help prevent future failures (especially since I can't just go down to the AMC dealer and buy a new one... haha).
I was going to comment that I always tape string to old cables before pulling it in to the cabin so that the new one can be pulled back through easily, but that stupid plastic clip under the wheel arch liner meant that you had to do extra dismantling anyway.
Eric, we bought my girlfriend an element and she loves it as do I. recently, the gas door broke but I was able ton find your video on how to fix that. thanks for all the info on these cars!
It's about time you got around to doing that Eric. I was starting to think I was going to have to come over with my camera and do a video "Called Fixing if forward (IT Guy Edition) fixing cars for the busy mechanics that are too busy fixing everyone else's cars to fix their own" ;)
+FrugalPrepper I actually shot this back in February. It can take that long to edit and sometimes to post a video for me. Most of what you see on this channel is 3-4 months behind what's happening today.
Are you still using a 486 with Windows 95? :) Seriously, thanks for all the effort and time you put into your channel. Watching your videos has really given me more knowledge and confidence to tackle jobs I wouldn't have dreamed of attempting a few years ago.
So I guessing that if you break the hood release pull piece inside the cabin that you have to replace the entire cable? Mine came off in my hand last night after 15 years. I was able to grip what remained and open the hood but... ((??))
I have been opening my hood with pliers for 8 years because the dealership quoted me $250 to fix it. And the part is $17 with 20 minutes worth of labor. i wish I had seen this sooner. Bastards.
It's a similar process on 6th gen Accord (which I have). Some differences: three clips in the wheel well, similar to white ones in this video, all broke on mine, but they come with the new Honda cable. There are TWO rubber grommets, one for interior to exterior, the other where cable exits the fender well into the engine bay. Then three more clips for the cable along the core support. Be careful with those, because they don't come with the new cable. This should be a straightforward job, so if something is stuck, double check everything.
Thanks for the video, my issue was the spring(small one) broke inside the hood latch , was able to replace the spring , after many Auto parts stores had nothing comparable..had to get one from a hardware store.
I never liked to drop the hood to get it shut. I carefully make it latch on the 1st position and gently push it on a hard spot near the center so it doesn't get dented.
+VochoTalacha there's no chance of denting the hood when you drop it from a few inches up. Pressing down with your hands firmly is more likely to dent it.
+InternetDude I didn't mean that the hood would get dented from dropping the hood. Because of the second thing you said, that's why I explained I carefully press the hood on a strong spot on the hood's center so it doesn't dent.
Loved it, you finally got around to replacing the hood latch cable. Do you think this will last as long as you keep the car or will someone else break it again?
Maxwelhse, your right on it's a bad design , I had the the same break on my Honda civic , I improvised put on a new handle taken from the pull cord off a loan mower , and crimped on the cable with coper works fine , also put on a secondary cable from the latch down to the front cross member for emergencies . This may seem like over kill but it's. A bitch when it breaks at hood latch.
attach a string to the end of the cable before you pull the old one out. use that string to pull the new one back through. that way you don't have to remove the fender liner. A good yank and that last clip won't be a problem. I know I wouldn't miss it.
Next time you buy a used car with an annoying rattle that you cant find just remember the previous owner probably left out some 20 cent clip to save 5 minutes.
+Ricardo Vascotto That's a little high. Unless you're speaking of gains at the flywheel? Realistically it's about 17kw to the wheels after the 30% power loss in the drivetrain.
Eric. PLEASE make a discussion video about gaskets. gasket materials, when and how to properly dress and prep a gasket. gasket sealant when it should be used and when not to, RTV etc. Seems like a simple topic but I would love to hear your views on it. On my other channel, Dulema, I've been subscribed to you forever and love your vids. this is my first video request and would GREATLY appreciate it if you could discuss this topic. please lmk. thank you.
Yay, you finally replaced the cable lol It does suck though that auto manufacturers make people buy a whole new cable instead of just a replacement handle.
+justsomeguytoyou You can replace the handle yourself if you want to, hardware stores have plenty of cupboard or drawer knobs and some are bound to be quite similar
Looks like Bridgestone Blizzak WS80s. Great tire. Got them for my wife's CRV for the winter, and if it wasn't for accelerated wear and tear and wasting money during the hot summer, I'd run them all year long.
+InternetDude You have to be careful with that. Sometimes lubricating cables can backfire and attract dirt and debris actually increasing wear and resistance.
try replacing a Jaguar X-type cable that's broke...2 stage cable for 2 hood latches. Just getting the hood open is a damn nightmare...you have to put the car on a lift and use a 3 foot metal rod...and you have a 1 inch hole to put it through and pray you can hit the release lever ..you have to do it twice.lol...left and right
Great video Eric, but I am horrified that you have that much road salt on the front of your Element! Almost every week my MY2000 European Accord is washed and dried and in summer polished and waxed every few months. When Britain gets all 2 days of summer a year.
+pugman205 I might wash my vehicles once a year. Keep in mind the Element has already succumbed to rust. It would be a loosing battle at this point. Thanks for your observation.
EricTheCarGuy So has my Accord, having to have several places patched underneath, namely the cills (rockers) Though not quite as bad as your Vigor arse end. I do like to baby my cars though, whether its mechanicaly with genuine parts if I can afford them to weekly washes/detailing and vacuum cleaning
The clip tool is not needed, a flatblade screwdriver slid into with notch on the clip will pop the clip's plunger up without stressing it. I replaced the cable knob of my first Element with a black square drawer pull from Lowes, 3 years ago.. I loosened the latch end, potted the inside end of the cable into the knob with steel epoxy and let it cure.
I'm confused. Didn't you just replace it and had the bad experience with the dealership? Did it break again? I would just make a ring at the end of the cable and totally remove that fragile plastic trigger.
he just superglued the end of the cable to it for his temporary use. the dealership found that out when they broke it I believe. like Eric tried to rip them off.
+teetee tee I was finally able to get around to replacing it. Time was a factor which is why I Qbonded it in the first place. Broken hood cables on my vehicles are not a priority repair.
One thing that I do not understand about Japanese cars/trucks is the way that they go rusty so quickly ok it may be just in odd places but I just sold my 2000 XJ jeep and that thing was still rust free I only sold it as I had problems getting parts for it that would fit here in the UK. I have now got a 2004 Nissan X-trail and that thing has much more rust in it than my Jeep but at least I can get parts that fit it over here.
+gene hensley Well, I also have videos on the ball joint replacements, thermostat, tensioner, and alternator. I just didn't want to flood the channel with Element videos. Also, this hood latch has a history on my ETCG1 channel. Check the description for links to those videos. Thanks for your input.
