I have really big hands and it's hard for me to manipulate the safety latch with the limited amount the hood opens. I'm about to modify the latch for easier access but would like some ideas on how to do it. If anybody else has the same problem, some pics of a modified latch would be appreciated.

 

Your pick: a paint stick available for free from local hardware store or an interior pry tool available from most auto part stores as part of a set.
Open the hood latch from inside the car so hood pops open a small amount. From the front of the car using left hand lift hood up until the latch prevents from opening. Slide either "tool" flat sided under hood (just below the edge of the oval hood emblem. That should place it under the latch where your fingers would normally lift. ROTATE the "tool" , hood will open. Takes a little practice, but works for me. NO car modifications required.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED !! I found that, by adjusting the loop that engages the primary latch, the hood can be raised higher after the primary latch is disengaged allowing more finger room to manipulate the secondary latch. Took about three full turns on the adjuster nut to do the trick and the hood still closes firmly. Besides the added finger room this decreased the force needed to pull the inside latch handle which I always thought was way to high.

 

GREAT find, might want to add this to a sticky or the doc collection. I remember a few 'hard to pull hood release' posts, and a coupple(to memory) of ppl who broke their cable.



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Instal a real Mercedes grill. The safety is hooked up to the grill emblem.

 

I started turning the adjustment nut an additional half a turn every time I had the hood open until the nut didn't turn easily anymore...now there's even more finger room and the inside hood release is even easier to pull and the hood still latches firmly.

 

I have not looked at the mechanism but is the hood still flush with the fenders?

 

Yep, hood alignment with fenders and grille are unchanged. I suspect the hood latch is installed on the assembly line and never adjusted.