Broken Hood release cable

[Ricky Bobby]

Sorry to see you go Seany!

As well, Doru from Canada posted in the past few months about hood cable replacement:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tallation.html

[Riba]

Originally Posted by Seany

For anyone reading this in Ireland or the UK... I regularly read the content on this site and it is incredibly useful. This is perhaps my first chance to contribute something.

My X5 is an E53, 2002 Model, 3.0d Sport Auto.
My bonnet cable snapped at the handle, like literally at the rear of the handle.

I'm not sure if our models are different because they're Right hand drive, but this was one of the simplest jobs I've ever had to do to my car. There have been plenty of wearisome others!

To replace that section of the cable, the part number you need is: 51238402614. I got it from Keary's in Cork for €32.

No. 10 in the drawing here:
RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0d ENGINE HOOD/MOUNTING PARTS

To replace it:

1: Remove the old handle by pulling off the removeable trim panel by the handle. Then undo the Handle and mechanism using a 1/4" Drive, deep 8mm socket.
2: Grab the protruding bit of cable using a Vise grips and pull it to open the bonnet. If there's none protruding, skin it back to expose some.

My hood cable snapped today right next to the handle. I wanted to remove the footrest / plastic cover to grab the end of the cable with pliers, but how for the love of God do you remove that thing. ( I removed two bolts, one screw, and the paneling below the steering wheel, but it seems the metal plate underneath is still preventing it me to pull it out. Am I missing something....if I keep going I will take the whole car apart, and this thing will be still in place.

[JWMich]

Funny how things with these cars seem to reach the end of a definite lifespan all at the same time. My hood release mechanism broke just a month ago.

I bought both cables and two new hood latches. My shop said it was a small beans fix and did the job gratis. Took them about an hour while we planned another pending project. I didn't pay any real attention, but I was pretty sure it was all done from under the hood, topside. Don't recall seeing the bumper come off, or the headlight come out.

So maybe don't take the whole car apart. . Good luck.

[Riba]

The problem at the moment is that I cannot figure how to remove the stubborn piece of plastic so I can access the cable in the cabin to pull it and open the hood. It looked simple enough until it stopped being simple. Seany just casually mentions it as point 1. while it seems to be a major PITA, so I am wondering if I am missing something. I'll have another go at it tomorrow morning.

[Riba]

Got it off in the morning...just proves that sometimes you need to sleep it off.

I just had to yank a bit harder. Cable changed easily once this came off.