c5arlen

Arthritis has robbed much Hand Strength from many us old guys. Are there ways to opporate, or fix the gorilla like hood release that GMs "hood release designer" has left us with?... I see a future coming of not having the gorilla like strength needed to operate the damned GM hood release...... Ridiculous situation. Hurts like a SOB!

grinder11

I know whatcha mean!! My left arm isn't too good anymore, compounded by the fact I am primarily left handed! So I now make sure to leave the drivers window down, and reach into the hood release area with my right hand, from outside the car. I'm starting to think older age memory loss isn't all age, or memory loss. It's more like there's not enough memory to begin with! I have to remember there are so many things I can't do anymore, or that have to be done a certain way that's different from the way I've always done them, that I now need a memory stick, or a cell phone SIM card, that plugs in to my head!!!!

PerryKing

The metal wire inside the release cables might need some lube. You should be able to disconnect the cable at either end and spray some lithium grease or PB Blaster down the line. Or the releases under the hood might need some attention.

Vetteman Jack

I agree with maybe lubricating the hood release mechanism (on both ends) and see if that helps.

Americal

Google Cable lubrication tool. It's the best way to lube cables that I know of.

Stingroo

Never heard of that. Just watched a youtube video. Seems like $10 well spent if there are bikes in the household, too:

c5arlen

Well hell... Lubed up (so to speak) the cable and latch mechanism.... No change. Now my question is, can the hood latch (s) mechanism itself be manipulated? Perhaps it's adjustable? ... For sure I don't want to create a bigger problem for myself... So.... I'll ask you guys for answers..... Seams as the striker bar on the hood has worn a bit of a groove at its strike point.?... Anyone else experienced such?

Fast one

You need more leverage on the release handle in the car; make a longer handle out of wood, plastic or aluminum that you can clip onto the factory handle when you want to open the hood.

MWWarlord

Hmm... I've never had any issues opening the hood (and I have significant arthritis in both hands). Closing it on the other hand can be a PITA if it isn't done JUST right. I feel like there must be an issue somewhere if the hood release is taking that much effort. My Corvette's hood isn't any harder to open than any other car I've ever had. I hope you're able to figure it out. Good luck.

3sACROWD

Couple of thoughts. You say it hurts. Is this due to the release handle digging into your hand? If yes, you could get a piece of hose or tubing, cut it to the length of the handle and slit it from end to end. It will allow you to slip it over the handle and distribute some of the force on your fingers.

Thinking a little out of the box. Find someone or yourself to figure out an electric release similar to the hatch / trunk.

The Vette might take a little more force than most because you're releasing two latches vs most cars have one.

c5arlen

Your response suggests the GM hood release opporates smoothly.... So is it "latch" adjustment that you've accomplished?... Explain please... how to.

MWWarlord

My hood release does operate smoothly. I've actually never had any issues with it, so I'm not certain how to fix it. I would have suggested lubrication, but it seems you've already tried that with no luck. Perhaps your latches are misaligned, or your bump stops might need to be adjusted. Is it possible that your cable is snagging on something? I'm very sorry that you're having issues. I can certainly relate to arthritis making things difficult. Unfortunately, I don't have a good step by step guide on how to fix your issue. I was just letting you know that needing "gorilla like strength" to open the hood is not necessarily normal for the C5. So while I'm not sure how to fix it, I do feel like it CAN be fixed. Best of luck. If you figure it out, please let us know.

c5arlen

Thanks folks for the replies... Gonna try the suggestions... Or Guess I just won't open it... GM has once again dropped me in the crapola... When will I learn they are Chevrolet designers, not necessarily Corvette people.

katanaman

I would talk to somebody who does body work, and have him take a look at it. If it's lubed well, there might be an alignment thing going on that a body guy could spot quickly. Seems that most Corvettes I've seen open with a light touch. My arthritis isn't developed enough, but I hear you!

Crosis

What about using a solenoid and push button? If people can shave door handles and get a solenoid to pop the door it should work with a hood.

grinder11

If I could interject here, I think the mechanism under the hood does have something 'not quite right'. I'd also like to recommend a lube I use on many things, other than what it is actually intended to be used on. That would be motorcycle chain lube. It goes on thin, then coagulates into a grease type lube. But again, I think there's something mechanically out of whack. I've got arthritis, and I have no problem. Best of luck to you.......

Stingroo

That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?

Even something simple like using a back scratcher to hook under the latch and pull on the long handle could solve your issue.

PerryKing

The hood latches inside the engine bay really aren’t that expensive. Looks like 15 bucks on eBay. I’d replace them and see what happens.

F1Fan

Maybe someone could drill a hole in the release in the release handle and attach a short pull with a loop?
Not sure on the motorcycle lube myself, I think that's meant to help the chain survive sprocket impacts more than
simple lube, and it's made to cling as well typically, which probably isn't what you want going on inside a cable housing.

grinder11

I wasn't recommending it as a cable lube. I was talking more about the latch mechanism. But hey, some Japanese motorcycles from the early to mid 1960s had grease fittings on some of the cables, and chain lube solidifies into a kinda grease.......