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850-S70 Emergency hood release cable

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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dosbricks
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Year and Model: '96 855, '98 S70
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850-S70 Emergency hood release cable

Post by dosbricks »

It seemed like a good idea for peace of mind to add an emergency hood release cable to both cars. Anyone who does work on their own car could figure this out without a DIY, but here's my version.

I wasn't very concerned about security because we garage both cars except when they are in use--so purchased a cable kit from Amazon the last time I needed to add a few bucks to qualify for free shipping.
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With a tight-fitting faucet washer, zip tie, and polyurethane glue, I installed a stop on the cable sheath.
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I drilled a hole through the inner finder liner--a bit lower would be better to clear the latch bracket, but it's a little difficult to tap a center punch back in there, so this was it. I did better on the wagon.
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Finished up by crimping a loop, then tucked the thing up underneath, and zip tied this end of the sheath to make sure it would stay put, out of sight and harms way.
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It's very easy to release the hood with this setup. I had originally thought of doing one for the passenger side latch also, but they seem to have a much lower failure rate, probably because it is an almost straight pull across the front of the car.

About 1/2 hour per car is reasonable completion for those younger and faster than I am. :wink:
'98 S70, 230k, purchased new in '98
'96 855 GLT, 163k, purchased lightly used in '99
Onceuponatime RIP '69 Shelby GT500 w/7.0 liter

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rspi
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Post by rspi »

Very nice. I'm seeing hood cable failures at a high rate.
'95 855 T-5R M, Panther - 22/28 mpg, 546,000 miles
'95 955 T-5R Yellow Wagon, Lemonade, 180,000 miles
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cn90
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Post by cn90 »

Nice.

My stock hood cable broke at 140K.

So, it is "cheap insurance" to:
- Lubricate both ends once a year.
- Every 120K, replace it anyway. It is about $30 for the Volvo OEM hood cable.
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

JimBee
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Post by JimBee »

After seeing the mess they made at the Upul yard of a hood with a broken cable I added cables to both sides on two 850s. Mine are made from a couple of cross-front 850 cables cut in half. Not quite as elegant as dosbricks', but functional—just in case. I threaded mine down through existing openings.

Hood latches do get rusty and sticky. To reduce the chance of a main cable break, I keep my latches well oiled.

mika
Posts: 309
Joined: 29 October 2012
Year and Model: 97 850 NA 98 v70
Location: Midwest

Post by mika »

missing the big idea here...to where is the cable connected to? Does it replace the original cable?
'92 945 Turbo, 13lb boost on E85 with 54lb injectors, 230k
'98 V70 N/A 174K , Konis Sport + H&R Blue springs,16 inch Solars
'97 855 N/A


Previous: Honda Fit Sport (RIP), Kymco S200 (missed),
'86 244 DL M46 (restored and traded)

cn90
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Post by cn90 »

@mika,

I wrote a DIY Hood Cable below:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=53430

The cable runs all the way from the cabin to the LEFT latch.

Sure you can do the mod as dosbricks mentioned, or spend $36 at dealer for Volvo PN 9444027 (for my 1998 S70) and done with. This hood cable should last until the car goes to junk yard.
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

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dosbricks
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Year and Model: '96 855, '98 S70
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Post by dosbricks »

mika wrote:missing the big idea here...to where is the cable connected to? Does it replace the original cable?
Mika, it doesn't replace the original cable but is supplemental to it. It's a backup in case the main cable to the passenger compartment fails. It connects to the end of the lever that releases the latches under the hood. There is one located at the bottom of each latch. There is already a hole in that lever that Volvo conveniently provided (almost like they they anticipated a problem in the distant future).

You can replace the original cable like cn90 and probably be fine, but this is just a little extra insurance.
'98 S70, 230k, purchased new in '98
'96 855 GLT, 163k, purchased lightly used in '99
Onceuponatime RIP '69 Shelby GT500 w/7.0 liter

cn90
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Post by cn90 »

Hi dosbricks,

I wonder if people can use metal coat hanger: straighten it first.
Then make a loop around the latch area.
Then hang the lower end down below the battery tray, dangling around until one needs to use it.
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

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