My Alpine came with the cable style mechanism. I have a rod style version
too. I chose to put the rod style in as I rebuilt my car. However, I've
noticed that the spring at the handle end collapses and stops the rod from
pulling any farther before the release mechanism arm travels its full
distance. There is still about another 3/16" that the release mechanism
arm can travel, and the safety latch definitely pulls back more for that
added travel. (Note this occurs even though the mechanism is set up with
NO play, and moves as soon as you pull on the handle.)
I know there have been so many people that have had problems with that
safety latch hooking up (and my dad's instructions on how to align this
notwithstanding), I'd rather have full travel and line it up right. It
seems to me I have three options: (1) put the cable mechanism back in, (2)
remove or cut down the spring or (3) mount the release mechanism so that
the arm has already moved slightly (however, then it never closes fully,
which presumably is no good too).
Has anyone heard of the cable breaking or slipping? The fear of that is
why I went to the rod. But, that could be an unreasonable concern. Since
I have it all set up already. I will probably try to remove the spring
first (since the cable version doesn't even have a spring in the first
place, relying only on the spring in the mechanism itself).
Jay
P.S. I guess it's possible that they changed the release mechanism too when
they switched over. And the reason I can't get full travel is because I
have the later release mechanism mounted. But, if that is the case, I'd
still rather stick with it because that means it HAS more travel, which I
might as well take advantage of.
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