Boot release cable widget

[toyroom]

The problem: Cable to the most distant tailgate release catch (left one in RHD car) encounters lock mechanism parallel to the mechanism so that cable goes thru sharp 90 degree angle to operate release of catch. Clearly it should encounter to catch at a perpendicuar angle so as to put no lateral strain on the cable. Go and have a look at yours ! I was shocked ! That cable goes and my mobile office is up the Khyber without a paddle!!
Solution: "C" shaped bracket (the "widget" to guide cable away from car body so that it arrives with its end perpendicular to the lock. Hope to get pics soon. The bracket was made from galvanized steel.
Basically, instead of travelling directly to the lock and hence arriving adjacent to it and needing a 90 degree angle to enter it, The cable is taken away from the body about 10cm before the lock and then turned directly at the lock so it enters in a straight line. A bit like a long vehicle crossing to the right side of the road when turning left. Does that make sense ? Go and look at yours ! You might be surprised (or maybe not !Hope that pics will make more sense. !

[toyroom]

Here is the car without modification as viewed via a mirror below the nearside boot catch:

[toyroom]

AND NOW !! Here's the same bit with the widget in place:

As you can see, the cable now arrives at the release mechanism perpendicular and hence the potentially cable snapping angle is almost completely removed !

[toyroom]

The widget began as a piece of galvanised steel (steel for strength) The net when cut out and smoothed looked like this:

[toyroom]

This was then caressed with a hammer into the following 3D shape with a mounting bolt and nyloc nut:

[toyroom]

Here's the hole drilled in the body:

[toyroom]

Here's another view of the fitted widget:

[toyroom]

Perhaps I have done nothing at all to prevent the cable snapping ! But who knows ? Wonder if I could do the same for cam belts !!??

[kylie]

Great work! What a good idea...and like you say not sure if its going to prevent it snapping, but it sure makes sense to straighten it out to minimise pressure points. I gotta sat I havnt looked that close at mine. Is that generally where they snap, at that point?

[toyroom]

Don't know.....and hopefully now I never will ! It's got to be a weak point with such a sharp angle.

[Outtamyway]

After seeing all of the posts about this issue I finally
decided to take a look at my cable. It was, as you say cocked
sharply at the release. So I started to try to put a cable clamp
to straighten it out similar to what toyroom did. But one thing
that I noticed was that the factory cable strain relief was too
close to the release. So I decided to see what it would look like
if I moved that clip away from the release. When I disconnected it
at that clamp the cable straightened itself out! Job done!

[www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=millas&P=&AID=3272490&Pres=Y]

I might add another clip eventually but it hardly seems worth it
as the cable really can't go anywhere and it works fine without it.








>> Edited by Outtamyway on Friday 17th February 21:43

[toyroom]

I just worried that one day I might put something heavy in the boot, catch the hanging cable on the way in and snap it. I might do this miles from home on a dark night and be faced with the dilemma as to having to close the boot to get home whilst knowing you will have to do vandalism to the car before tomorrow morning. I mean, unlikely, but don't these things always happen the night before the important meeting !