The infamous bonnet release cable

[Clifford]

Hi guys
Having finally got my rear calipers remanufactured and today had the tracking done,  replaced a couple of springs and a roller (thanks to Nigel) on the driver's seat my next job was going to be to fit a bonnet liner which I got from Mark W a long time ago.
Was looking forward to doing a bit of driving over the next few days.

Low and behold the right hand bonnet release cable snapped!
Luckily after taking out some of the below dash trim, I was able to get a pair of pliers on the frayed end poking out of the bulkhead and tug it with some pliers,  managing to release the bonnet. My car is the later 2 lever system.

So I have been looking at the Haynes manuai and numerous previous posts in order to figure out how to replace it.

This has prompted a few questions:
There is reference to a "how to" document being produced but I can't seem to find it. Was it eventually uploaded to the site?

There is reference to using mountain bike brake cables but has anyone found any standard cables recently that are ready made for the job?

Haynes says that the right lever is the emergency lever and left is the standard lever. Is this correct, because I thought it was the other way round?

Is each lever designed to release both catches and so effectively you will always have an emergency release if one side cable breaks?

Any advice appreciated please
C

[peteracs]

Hi Clifford

I used standard bike brake cables with the barrel end on it for my Spider which has just the single lever. I think the dual lever system uses the same cables.

Peter

[Nigel]

Hi Clifford,
It was Eric that used mountain bike cables, but I don't recall
the difference, perhaps a bit stronger.
Peter is right, get cables with the barrel end. You'll have to
cut the outers to match what you have.
Two levers is the best set up. I don't think one is favoured over the other,
they should function equally once adjusted correctly.
I find some pre-tension in the system works for me.

Nigel

[peteracs]

Hi

If you can reuse the outers and very lightly grease the cable. Makes the whole job easier.

Peter

[Clifford]

Thanks both.
Yes I think feed an inner cable through the outer is my plan at the moment once I have figured out how to detach the barrel end from the lever.
Then presumably I feed into the lever end because of the barrel.
Then it has to be crimped at the other end?
Looks like it is crimped to the left side cable so the both feed through the catch together.
Is there anything I need to watch out for in doing that?
I assume all brake cable sizes are the same diameter?
C

[WestonE]

Hi Clifford

I used Mountain Bike stainless steel brake cables (no corrosion unlike plated ones). These come with the right barrel end which helps. New outers will run better because the nylon liner will not be knackered like the originals! I think my cable ends (ferrels) were from an online supplier on Scooter cables. It was a fussy job that also needs cable crimp blocks to do neatly (ebay). I have pulls on both sides and had the catches Gold Zinc plated as well. If you look at members cars for me you can see them. I think the cables were Jagwire.

Eric   
PS having mountain bike cable cutters helps as does carefully grinding cut ends flat.   

[Clifford]

Hi guys.
Just to close this off.
All advice accurate and useful. Thank you.
For anyone attempting for the first time, it may feel a bit daunting but if you take your time it's fairly straightforward.
C