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Bowden Cable Routing?

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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Nick73
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Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by Nick73 » Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:59 pm

So this is 2 of 2.

Bonnet cable snapped at the lever in the drivers footwell.  Managed to get the bonnet open, and replacing the first cable  in the system is actually pretty simple. 

but

Once it was all reconnected, it still wouldn't open.  When I pulled the lever, I could see the 2nd cable (bowden cable??) would move.  I think it usually runs around the side of the wing, over the headlight to the driver side latch.  But I when pulling the lever I can see it moving away from the wing.  In other words instead of the cable inside the sheath moving, the whole sheath was being pulled.

It seems to me, that the cable is supposed to be clipped into something, but I cant see what. For the time being I've wrapped the cable under one of the headlight adjuster screws, which takes up some of the slack and stops the sheath moving.

Anyway... short version... is there some kind of clip that the cable is supposed to clip into.. probably near the headlight?  If not, why is my whole cable moving?

Appreciate this is difficult to picture on a forum, but any suggestions welcome.

Cheers

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X5Sport
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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by X5Sport » Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:35 pm

Any clues here in this slide from the parts database?
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by themoog » Tue Apr 12, 2016 5:59 am

Mine has a sort of plastic bracket that the cable goes through that clips to the inner wing just by the air filter. Is that what you mean? I would think there is something above / in front of the radiator as well.

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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by Nick73 » Tue Apr 12, 2016 9:28 am

Thanks guys.
X5sport - I looked at the parts map before, but there is no sign of a clip  :(

Themoog -  I think the clip you talking about is the one where the cable from the inside the car connects with the bowden cable. 

In my case, thats fine, but I still need something to hold the cable as it goes round the bend behind the headlights. 

Although Im starting to suspect that the second cable that goes to the first latch is actually also broken.  Which is a PITA as so far as i can tell that cable comes with the latch and changing the latch involves removing the front bumper...  :(

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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by Nick73 » Tue Apr 12, 2016 7:54 pm

On a separate note, while Im working out how to fix this.....  does anyone know if an MOT tester has to pop the bonnet for any reason?  :whistle:

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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by Horizon » Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:24 pm

They have to check brake pipes, joints on the steering g column, etc etc
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
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Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by Nick73 » Wed Apr 13, 2016 7:52 pm

I figured out the problem, the plastic connector that clips to the bonnet kept popping out of its clips.  Several cable ties later and the MOT is all done!

Cheers chaps

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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by X5Sport » Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:38 pm

:ok:
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Re: Bowden Cable Routing?

Post by Nick73 » Fri Apr 15, 2016 5:49 pm

Thanks X5, quite a result, as I was hoping for the best... but fearing the worst!  Although she has been sat up for a while because of the problems, so I will be posting a few more Q's now she all legal again (ooer!)  :-[

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