Broken hatch cable

[airbusdrvr]

Tried the search and couldn't find anything.

I just installed center exit exhaust with the cheese grater valance. It came out beautiful and sounds incredible. BUT

My rear hatch cable broke by the handle. I can't get to the cable. I don't like LEW's method of drilling into the body. Can't you smash the rear tail lights and go through that way? It's a 99.

This is a new cable I just installed last year. Worked like butter till my wife...Oh never mind.

!@#$%

Help

[Vulcan Grey]

Did you read the bottom of the page on LEW?

That is my method where you don't have to drill the body.

Alternative Ways

I was looking at your site and saw the article on how to fix a broken hatch cable and had to let you know there is a better way!

My way is better because you don't do any permanent damage to the car.The best way is to dremel off the expanding nuts from

below the trunk floor. This may require removing the exhaust. You can then push up the infill panel, may need to cut some of the adhesive with a knife. You should be able to reach up and pull the latches with your hands.

I had to do this and there is no damage to the car other than having to replace some nuts.

Travis

www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[airbusdrvr]

Did you read the bottom of the page on LEW?

That is my method where you don't have to drill the body.

Yes I did read that part. I have a fire extinguishing system mounted to the trunk floor. Dremeling off the nuts will just create more problems for me.

Thanks for the reply

[DanR]

It's not the whole trunk floor that needs to be removed. If you look closely there is a smaller panel at the back of the floor. It's about 40x13cms and is taken out after the floor to give additional room for removing the gearbox. Does your fire system sit on top of that? If not you should be able to gain access through that gap.

[mwmackenzie]

I have a pair of rear lamps if you do want to go down that route then pm me

[hasuSan]

I know how to fish the broken cable to a 4 cyl Esprit but I'm new to a V8.

Happened to my 4 cyl years ago and learned my lesson.

I also have a V8, I put a manual safety cable so I can pull

the latch if the stock cable breaks.

I drilled the stock latch in the middle and attach a cable and a cable stopper.

Then I drilled a small hole in the floor and hang the two cables.

Put a manual pull cable after you solve your problem.

I hope you get it, be patience & take your time.

[airbusdrvr]

It's not the whole trunk floor that needs to be removed. If you look closely there is a smaller panel at the back of the floor. It's about 40x13cms and is taken out after the floor to give additional room for removing the gearbox. Does your fire system sit on top of that? If not you should be able to gain access through that gap.

I'll take another look. thanks

[airbusdrvr]

I know how to fish the broken cable to a 4 cyl Esprit but I'm new to a V8.

Happened to my 4 cyl years ago and learned my lesson.

I also have a V8, I put a manual safety cable so I can pull

the latch if the stock cable breaks.

I drilled the stock latch in the middle and attach a cable and a cable stopper.

Then I drilled a small hole in the floor and hang the two cables.

Put a manual pull cable after you solve your problem.

I hope you get it, be patience & take your time.

Wow!! You should send that in to Lotus. They need to make it a service bulliten. I will definately do that.

[hasuSan]

Wow!! You should send that in to Lotus. They need to make it a service bulliten. I will definately do that.

Airbus -- were you able to solve your problem?

Also, were you able to drill into the latch?

[airbusdrvr]

Airbus -- were you able to solve your problem?

Also, were you able to drill into the latch?

I cut a square access hole in the trunk floor. I save the piece and covered with aluminum then hinged it back to the floor. It came out real nice. Oh yes, I was then able to reach the cable.

I have the latches at a machine shop now. They are not too confident though. I tried to drill to the side of the nodule. Forget it. The machine shop tested various spots on that piece and said you don't get any harder than that. I don't know how you drilled it. Maybe some pieces were treated more than others.

I talked with a Lotus mech today and he said you can access the cable by taking off the rubber boot of the fuel filler and pushing the filler neck in. This will give you room to reach in for the cable. This will work provided the cable broke by the handle like mine. Oh well.

[hasuSan]

I cut a square access hole in the trunk floor. I save the piece and covered with aluminum then hinged it back to the floor. It came out real nice. Oh yes, I was then able to reach the cable.

I have the latches at a machine shop now. They are not too confident though. I tried to drill to the side of the nodule. Forget it. The machine shop tested various spots on that piece and said you don't get any harder than that. I don't know how you drilled it. Maybe some pieces were treated more than others.

I talked with a Lotus mech today and he said you can access the cable by taking off the rubber boot of the fuel filler and pushing the filler neck in. This will give you room to reach in for the cable. This will work provided the cable broke by the handle like mine. Oh well.

I'm glad you were able to solve your problem. The access a broken cable to 4cyl Esprit is the same thing what Lotus mech said to you, however it depends upon where the cable can be fished. Not always accurate area to fish a broken cable using the filler neck.

Don't let it happen again.

While drilling my latch, I keep putting transmission oil in the bit.

I don't think the machine shop will have problem. The key is the drill speed. If you rush it,

it will just heated up and harden. Keep putting oil while drilling.

[airbusdrvr]

I'm glad you were able to solve your problem. The access a broken cable to 4cyl Esprit is the same thing what Lotus mech said to you, however it depends upon where the cable can be fished. Not always accurate area to fish a broken cable using the filler neck.

Don't let it happen again.

While drilling my latch, I keep putting transmission oil in the bit.

I don't think the machine shop will have problem. The key is the drill speed. If you rush it,

it will just heated up and harden. Keep putting oil while drilling.

The machine shop was able to drill it. But it did break their bit. I ran a separate cable to each latch. I figured it would then be easier to pull. Waiting for the new main cable to get in next week.

Thanks for all your help.

[hasuSan]

The machine shop was able to drill it. But it did break their bit. I ran a separate cable to each latch. I figured it would then be easier to pull. Waiting for the new main cable to get in next week.

Thanks for all your help.

Yep! run two separate cables. Ask your girl to pull the other one...hahahahaha!