Help! Replace Trunk Release Cable

[pax365]

I own a 97 Camry and the trunk release cable snapped a few days ago. Can someone instruct me how to replace it with a new one? To be more specific, do I need to take apart the seats or what not in order to install the cable? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Brian R.]

I can't find the answer, but I will give you something to think about.

If you disengage both ends of the cable wire, can you pull the wire pieces out through the ends of the cable housing? If so, maybe you can buy steel cable or wire of the same diameter and length (including any bent ends) and insert it (as one piece instead of two) into the housing along with some grease - with the wire/cable covered in grease. If the new wire/cable comes out the other end of the housing, maybe you can bend the ends to match the geometry of the original cable ends, with or without the original type of fasteners, and install the new piece.

I would try this.

[pax365]

Thanks Brian. I checked the cable and it is broken at the trunk end where the lock is located. The small steel ball that acts as the catch between the cable and the lock broke off. I am going to fasten the broken end with a small nut and bolt so that they can be latched against the lock...well hopefully the cable has that extra bit of length for this to be successful. If not, I will give your suggestion a try.

[Brian R.]

Good luck - I am probably missing something, so don't do anything irreversible.