Hood Release and Brake Problems

DucatiGuy · January 11, 2016

Hi Guys,

Just bought a 2004 Sierra 1500 with 192k miles on the clock. This is my first truck, and I really want to do as much work myself as possible. This is really my first time working on a vehicle, so all my knowledge comes from YouTube and Google.

My hood release suddenly stopped working, but I am not convinced the cable has been severed. But I feel no resistance when I pull the lever inside the cab and nothing happens. I looked through the grill and by the lever inside the car and the cable is attached at both ends. I pulled on it from inside the grill and it only gives a little play. Any advice on what to do?

I really wanted to be able to change the brakes myself. I can't get the 19mm bolts off, and I'm worried the lower bolts might be starting to strip. I tried all sorts of bolt busters and wrenches. The top ones won't budge at all, so I am thinking of going to a mechanic and seeing if he can loosen them. Are there any other solid ways of getting these bolts off?

rjgti · January 12, 2016

sometimes where the cable attaches to the release leaver the plastic on the lever breaks. i would not recomend doing your own brakes without someone present with knowledge to supervise you. as for those bolts..use an impact or a breaker bar. you will need a torque wrench to reassemble

DucatiGuy · January 12, 2016

sometimes where the cable attaches to the release leaver the plastic on the lever breaks. i would not recomend doing your own brakes without someone present with knowledge to supervise you. as for those bolts..use an impact or a breaker bar. you will need a torque wrench to reassemble

Thank you for the information.

Would an electric impact driver be a good thing to purchase, or would air tools be the only thing powerful enough for tough bolts?

rjgti · January 12, 2016

cordless ones work fine

rjgti · January 12, 2016

http://www.dewalt.com/tool-categories/cordless-impact-driverswrenches.aspx

https://store.snapon.com/18-VOLT-IMPACT-WRENCHES-C629299.aspx

asilverblazer · January 12, 2016

Air tools and a big compressor are gifts from baby Jesus. Before you round off the bolts take it in for a brake job, they'll have impact tools for the job. Once they have them broke loose you'll be able to do the job in the future.