I just wanted to see what you think of the way the hood release handle is buit. Mine feel like is gonna snap one day or the other as it requires a lot of force to be pull. Is anyone aware of it braking? What you think about replacing it with an anodized aluminum version? Whould you be interested?
Hood release handle
- Thread starter ZetaTre
- Start date
Interesting idea...
I had a problem one time opening the bonnet; I was sure the handle would snap, but it didn't.
Normally the catch is very easy to operate.
I think the one time I had trouble, it wasn't latched down fully.
what condition are your cables/latches in?
I assume they're well lubed.
I had a problem one time opening the bonnet; I was sure the handle would snap, but it didn't.
Normally the catch is very easy to operate.
I think the one time I had trouble, it wasn't latched down fully.
what condition are your cables/latches in?
I assume they're well lubed.
I feel like mine is going to snap every time I pop the bonnet.
I don't have the feeling it's a friction issue: is more the spring on the lock that is strong, and sometimes I have the feeling the handle is border line to resist the force required to release the lock. I will for sure lubricate it sometime soon. I'm just up for something, maybe, but before I would like to see if there's any interest in it.
It's the easyest thing ever: remove one screw, pull the old plastic handle out, put the new aluminum handle in, tight the screw. that's it.
Cost depends on how many people would be intersted: the more, the cheapest. The new handle would maybe (again, we are still thinking about it and we don't know if it can be done; we haven't done a protype yet, so it's still at a conceptual level) be made in aluminum, a solid peice. It would probably be available either brushed or anodized black.
Cost depends on how many people would be intersted: the more, the cheapest. The new handle would maybe (again, we are still thinking about it and we don't know if it can be done; we haven't done a protype yet, so it's still at a conceptual level) be made in aluminum, a solid peice. It would probably be available either brushed or anodized black.
Just to make sure: the handle I'm talking about is the one inside the cabin on the left side of the driver side footwell. I would be surprised if the torsional strength of the plastic handle is higher then the tensile strength of the steel wire: I don't have any empirical data, just my gut feel
I lubricated the handle yesterday and I have to admit it improved: I actually removed the latch from the car, detach the cable form the latch and had my wife pulling and releasing on the handle while I was dripping oil in the cable. I also lubricated the entire latch.
Personally, I still don't like the feeling of the handle as t wiggles too much when pulling.
The person that would engineer and manufacture the handle is busy now, but he hopes to get a prototype done within the next couple of weeks. I'll then post pictures so we can see how many people want it and, consequently, how much is the price. I don't think we'll have any problem shipping it WW.
As soon as the handle for the Z3 comes in I'll post pix so you can have an idea of the craftsmanship.
Personally, I still don't like the feeling of the handle as t wiggles too much when pulling.
The person that would engineer and manufacture the handle is busy now, but he hopes to get a prototype done within the next couple of weeks. I'll then post pictures so we can see how many people want it and, consequently, how much is the price. I don't think we'll have any problem shipping it WW.
As soon as the handle for the Z3 comes in I'll post pix so you can have an idea of the craftsmanship.
Here's the pix on how it came out on the Z3... It's soooo much better now: it feels more solid when pulling on the handle...
Unfortunately Doug Whalen (the artist that made it) said he's busy with his real job at the moment so he won't be able to work on it for an handle for the Z4 for a little while. He'll let me know when he'll be avaliable so I can send him the OEM and he can make a prototype... I'll keep y'all posted.
Left is OEM cheap plastic, right is Whalen's masterpiece
And here's how it looks installed
Unfortunately Doug Whalen (the artist that made it) said he's busy with his real job at the moment so he won't be able to work on it for an handle for the Z4 for a little while. He'll let me know when he'll be avaliable so I can send him the OEM and he can make a prototype... I'll keep y'all posted.
Left is OEM cheap plastic, right is Whalen's masterpiece
And here's how it looks installed