VW Golf Mk5 replace broken hood lock cable DIY method

VW Golf Mk5 hood cable broken at release handle. Replacing the cable using DIY method filmed without rehearsals. NOTE: From later experience I'm going to advise that you should remove the windscreen wipers and lift the plastic rain guard to correctly thread the cable through the bulkhead. By just yanking it through a rubber grommet was dislodged which allowed water to enter the drivers side footwell and soak the carpets. I made DIY error.

[@jos8993]

Thanks, your video most definitely helped. I had my wheel arch liner off already as I had just replaced my clutch. I didn't seem to figure out how to remove bonet release cable which also broke footwell end. I even went further by taking of wing panel lolkkk, which did not help a single bit.
After watching your video, I now have the courage to do exactly what you did, yank it out.
Thanks again.

[@b33zo]

Hi Jos Thanks for your message. Really appreciated. Hopefully you've got the cable installed now and everything back in its place. A difficult job for sure but not impossible for an enthusiastic DIYer!

[@RoadRunnerMeep]

First time I did my bonnet lock cable I learned how annoying it is. I've got it down to a knack now for bonnet lock replacement, can do the entire thing in about 20 mins :) haven't had to do the cable replacement to inside car yet but I'm sure that will be on the job eventually

[@b33zo]

Thanks for comments Road Runner. True, second time is always easier and perhaps this little video will make it easier for anyone taking on this job to see what's involved in replacing the bottom half of the cable..

[@mew3253]

Thanks for that mate, now I know the pain I'm gonna have to go through getting this done on HER Golf 😭

[@b33zo]

Hi Me W thanks for watching. Yep this job was no fun at all. I left the hood stuck down for nearly 6 months because I knew the car (around 150k at that time) didn't use much oil but in the end decided to sort it out. Good luck. b33zo

[@timothyslater4347]

Thank you pal your vid was a massive help

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Timothy. Good luck if you have to do the same job.

[@timothyslater4347]

on one vid I woched thay tuck the wipers off and the black cover you will find the cable at the top so you can pull it out there and thread it though the hole into the dash board did this with your help and the other vid it made it a lot easier thank you a again pal

[@b33zo]

@@timothyslater4347 Thanks Timothy.

[@bendude6748]

I have this job to do on a Jetta, guessing it’s pretty similar thanks for the video 👍🏻

[@b33zo]

Hi Bendude thanks for watching. It's a complicated job but if your hood is stuck down it has to be done. Beware dislodging the wing grommets as you pull the cable through. This will allow road water in and lead to a wet footwell - as you can see in one of my other DIY videos. Good luck. b33zo

[@Simon-fr4ts]

My bonnet would not close. The latch was totally shot and some of the cable outer was missing in the catch and badly rusted. I was lucky that the cable did still work and got away with a complete new latch assembly which was only £20 on ebay and a clean up of the cable end. The upper bonnet catch was in a poor way too, but with lots of WD40 and working it for ages, it finally worked properly again. The new bonnet catch had no grease, so I applied a good amount of WD40 lithium grease to it and the top bonnet catch. Hopefully I won't have to do the cable any time soon!

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching simon and leaving your interesting experience. The bonnet catch really is at the 'pointy end' of the vehicle and with the weather it cops I'm surprised they last as long as they do. The route the cable takes from the catch right down to the footwell is also an engineering achievement. Cheers b33zo

[@davenichols5444]

Could you use old cable to pull a piece of string through at the catch end then use string to pull cable in the other direction ?

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Dave and yes attaching a guide string is a good idea except by doing that and tugging the cable through I dislodged an important grommet. This resulted in rainwater getting into the footwell (see other video). Another DIY lesson learned.. ATB b33zo

[@davenichols5444]

@@b33zo thanks for the reply . That’s something to think about . The grommet looks like a pain to get to . Mine is broken at the plastic end where it’s in that little box . I was trying to Google bicycle cable joiners or something to join the two cables together . It’s a perfectly good cable apart from the broken plastic bit . Thanks !

[@ezrahenry9114]

Thanks for the video bro

[@b33zo]

@ezrahenry9114 thanks for watching. b33zo

[@iijohn8947]

what size bolts are they, ive been looking for them for hours

[@b33zo]

@iijohn8947 thanks for watching. Are you removing the locking mechanism?

[@dawsonmiller4224]

I’m searching for a way to put the cable in the latch and you showed everything except that.

[@b33zo]

Thanks for watching Dawson Miller. Sorry about that. It's a few years ago now bit from memory I think the end of old cable must have still been in position and that identified how to fit the new one. You've probably figured it out by now! ATB b33zo

[@MajiAnsiMaziMaiz]

thanks really appreciate

[@b33zo]

Thanks Majeed.

[@longbar2344]

wow. hack job lol