Lexus Hood Latch Replacement

[StangerBanger96]

Anybody (svxal :D) have any literature on how to replace the hood latch/cable on a lexus gs300?

Mine is shot and I'm sick of not opening the hood on the damn car because it takes 2 days to get the thing to latch again...I have the new cable I'm just not sure exactly how to go about replacing it. Toyota quoted me $350 for a 3.5 hour install so I'm planning on doing it myself instead, would just be nice to see a "how to" of it.

[svxAL]

wat year is your car?
this is for a 2003
Hood Lock Control

REMOVAL

1. REMOVE LH FENDER LINER

2. REMOVE HOOD RELEASE LEVER

3. REMOVE RADIATOR SUPPORT UPPER SEAL

4. REMOVE HOOD LOCK
   

5. REMOVE HOOD LOCK CONTROL CABLE
   

   1. Using a screwdriver, disconnect the cable from the clamps. HINT: Tape the screwdriver tip before use.

   2. Using a screwdriver, pry out the cable stopper from the grommet.

HINT:

* Tape the screwdriver tip before use.
* Do not damage the grommet with the screwdriver.

3. Pull the cable from the front wheel housing to remove it.

INSTALLATION

1. BEFORE INSTALLING PARTS, COAT LOCK WITH MP GREASE Apply MP grease to the sliding surface of the lock.

![legacy image](http://library.alldatapro.com/alldata/LIB~C39550~R0~OB0~P3R0H~N/0/89012112/98618871/98618880/110767737/34853741/34866522/34866523/34872158/34866723/136506468/131282463)

2. INSTALL HOOD LOCK CONTROL CABLE

   1. Push the rear side cable through the grommet.
   2. Using a screwdriver, push the cable stopper into the grommet.

HINT:

* tape the screwdriver tip before use.
* Do not damage the grommet with the screwdriver.

     3. Pass the front side cable through the upper radiator support.
     4. Install the cable with clamps.

3. INSTALL HOOD RELEASE LEVER
4. CHECK HOOD LOCK CONTROL FOR PROPER OPERATION After checking for proper operation, tighten the 3 bolts to install the lock. Torque: 8.0 N.m (82 kgf.cm, 71 in.lbf)
5. INSTALL RADIATOR SUPPORT UPPER SEAL
6. INSTALL LH FENDER LINER
   pics might be out of order but u get the idea hope this helps if it doeseent i can get some lexus material lmk wont be till sat tho

[StangerBanger96]

Sorry it's a 98

[svxAL]

1997-2005 (2nd gen) are the same body style so it should be the same.

[MisterCMK]

Tape the screwdriver tip!!

[StangerBanger96]

svxAL;263736 wrote:
1997-2005 (2nd gen) are the same body style so it should be the same.

Thank you for the quick help!

We'll probably be attempting it on saturday

[treimche]

Ahhh yeah that hood latch was kinda annoying but must have gotten much worse.

[StangerBanger96]

Yeah it usually takes about 1 full day at least to get it to start latching even. First day it doesn't latch at all, 2nd day it'll start latching but you can pull up and it unlatches, and late in the 2nd day it seems like it finally decides to latch completely.

[DaveH]

Are you sure it's the cable, and not the latch itself?

[MisterCMK]

It seems more like a cable that is gumming up inside the jacket.

[StangerBanger96]

DaveH;264150 wrote:
Are you sure it's the cable, and not the latch itself?

MisterCMK;264153 wrote:
It seems more like a cable that is gumming up inside the jacket.

Yeah I was wondering about that myself but after reading on clublexus it sounds like it's a pretty common problem with the GS300. The cable stretches too easily or something retarded and doesn't let a spring loose or keeps a spring loose that shouldn't be and doesn't let the latch catch and hold.

Yesterday I finally got the damn thing to latch after taking a needle nose to the cable right next to the latch and yanking on it a few times.

I also called Lexus in Wayzata and asked the guy about a latch and he said he never sells latches but sells TONS of cables for this problem and told me it is 99/100 times the cable that is the problem. I have the replacement in my back seat and will hopefully have the problem fixed this weekend.