Grill removal with hood stuck shut

Well my cable snapped for the hood release. I believe it snapped close to the latch. I’m attempting to remove the grill to access the latch under the hood as described in the thread on how to address this problem. I’m not seeing how it’s possible to access the two torx screws on the top of the grill on my 2010 freightliner. Also I believe there’s one middle one but I may be able to drill through under the freightliner emblem to reach this. I have been able to get my arm under the bottom of the grill near the bumper with a piece of wood wedged to keep a gap there but there is no where for me to reach to access the grill screws or the latch. Any suggestions for what to do next. I’m just scratching my head at this point and internet searches haven’t turned anything up.

So i was able to get three out of 4 top torx screws out by prying open the hood slightly and using a long socket wrench. The far passenger one was stripped. I was able to open up the drivers side of the grill with 4th screw still attached and get a better view of the plunger and latch. Now I'm not sure how to release to plunger. Should i remove the screws some how if i can that attach the mechanism to the hood? See photos to see what I can access.

Target lever to push 1/4 inch

A possible push rod angle: 20" extension and 8" extension

Pic upside down, sorry

are these accessible with the hood shut? I can't open it to access.

Here’s what I’m working with

I positioned the push rod with the hood open, paying attention that the placement would/could be done blindly from below , arm access, by the alternator.

Ok thanks for the recommendation. I don’t have a specific tool for this. In theory would a 28” narrow pole work??

Can you either loosen that nut and unscrew the adjustable mushroom plunger all the way or remove those two star bolts holding same or a little of both to get hood up a bit more?

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=127449&d=1585599875

Carly said:

Ok thanks for the recommendation. I don’t have a specific tool for this. In theory would a 28” narrow pole work??

Click to expand...

a 28" wood dowel would work if you could get it turned from vertical. Access from below, up buy the EGR, turn horizontal and fed back through the reservoir gap, align then push the release lever.

CJPJ said:

a 28" wood dowel would work if you could get it turned from vertical. Access from below, up buy the EGR, turn horizontal and fed back through the reservoir gap, align then push the release lever.

Click to expand...

This is as far as I’m able to get it in before I hit something and can’t get it horizontal

Update I’m now here with a 25” dowel trying to aim best I can can’t seem to get a visual of the latch

Carly said:

This is as far as I’m able to get it in before I hit something and can’t get it horizontal

Click to expand...

Shorten, This pic shows the distance to the lever.

CJPJ said:

Shorten, This pic shows the distance to the lever.
View attachment 127462

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I’ve shortened to 25” I should be very close according to your photos. I just can seem to get anything to happen. Jabbing at something but the hood doesn’t release. Still plunger is latched.

Carly said:

I’ve shortened to 25” I should be very close according to your photos. I just can seem to get anything to happen. Jabbing at something but the hood doesn’t release. Still plunger is latched.

Click to expand...

Target

TARGET

25" seems short, ..

Fabricate manipulator from stiff wire. In this case, wire used for suspended ceilings. Use a screwdriver or a wooden wedge to manipulate and compress spring loaded doohickey. Position wire manipulator into the left side of latch and pull toward left, drivers side. An assistant always helpful.

Bobnoxious said:

Fabricate manipulator from stiff wire. In this case, wire used for suspended ceilings. Use a screwdriver or a wooden wedge to manipulate and compress spring loaded doohickey. Position wire manipulator into the left side of latch and pull toward left, drivers side. An assistant always helpful.

Click to expand...

this technique looks like its very promising. thanks a lot for the visuals. going to try in a bit.