Hood release handle

I took the handle piece out of the housing yesterday. It had a small crack along a reinforcing bar on the handle. I used 2 part epoxy, beefed up with some wire around the cracked part, to repair the handle. The cable needs to be pulled way out to pop the 2 latches, and I think that the flex in the handle created by the crack was preventing the cable from reaching it’s full travel.

I am in contact with GTCP for a new handle. I think that I need to adjust the travel of the cable next, as it is only the final inch of travel that pops the hood.

I understand that there is an adjustable grub screw near the radiator.

 

Correct. Adjustment is at hood end. Check your cable too. Mine had some kinks I was able to straighten. I cleaned and lubed it with graphite as well. Motion Pro makes a cable lube tool that works well.

 

Got one of these several years ago for my 456M and it's been great. For as little as they charge, everyone who had a 456 or 550 should order one as a spare, who knows they may be NLA someday also.

 

That was my thought exactly

 

The hood release assembly (can't just buy the handle) has been NLA for some time for the 575, unless Ferrari made another batch run in the last year or so.

 

The cable is not broken but it does need adjusting. Sadly the knurled thumb wheel is stuck and the space availability is too tight to get a decent set of pliers to hold the thumb wheel in order to turn it enough to free it up. The cable is connected at the handle end in the car. Is there a way to make enough space please?

 

I believe I took mine off the car when I had the front bumper off.

 

That is what was worrying me! I am on a road trip with only the Ferrari tool kit for help.

 

Coat hanger wire job…

 

I am going to replace the cable as the current one is stiff and nearly 30 years old.
I have search in here but cannot find a cable replacement DIY. Does anyone know of one please?

 

You can build your own. A lot of motorcycle cables come in kits and you can order end pieces for them. The hardest part is finding a kit with a cable long enough.

 

Thanks for the tip.
However, the issue has now been fixed!
I started to remove the cable and found that when I unscrewed the 3 plastic knobs that holds the curved plastic panel over the wheel the hood release cable sprang out. It must have been kinked at the bulkhead. If anyone's cable is getting hard to pull, it might be worth checking here first. The bonnet release now works perfectly and without any cost.