bonnet wont open

[verde]

the cable as far as im aware hasnt snapped but, maybe has come loose at the bonnet end. im told there is something i can use a screwdriver on to release the bonnet?

[Rich320I]

from memory mate, i had to do this on a friend of mines ages ago, theres a small hole just behind the nearside grill, wear you can slide a screw driver in and physically release the level manualy,

[Barx325i]

indeedy, there's a hole letting you see the catch mech & has what looks like a gap for a flat head screw driver, insert & twist. if it's a bit stiff push the bonnet down & it releases the load from the catch mech..

when opened, lube it up

[verde]

Spot on boys thanks, il go give it a try. It had been getting harder to open, lever was coming further back and then the other day it just....stopped.

[Rich320I]

no worries,

when you get it open drop abit of white grease or similar on the moving parts, should be bob on again then mate

[Barx325i]

likely it won't happen again once lubed but if you're stuck without a screwdriver, press the bonnet down prior to using the lever & it can free it up a bit

[macas]

I know its not the bonnet,but...iv got a cab and theres a release cable connected to the boot lid,but it dosent look like it realeases the boot????whats it for??
Sorry to hijack your thread my friend,i was just curious?

[Barx325i]

is it the horseshoe pop?

[macas]

No mate,its inside the boot area connected to the left hand side boot hinge??

[Gert_8]

indeedy, there's a hole letting you see the catch mech & has what looks like a gap for a flat head screw driver, insert & twist. if it's a bit stiff push the bonnet down & it releases the load from the catch mech..

when opened, lube it up

So anyone could potentially open the bonnet from the outside?!

[Rich320I]

in a word yes

[Barx325i]

shhh

[Gert_8]

in a word yes

As I said.....

[Rich320I]

tis abit shocking,

but you can open and start the ignition on most old fords with a teaspoon

[Barx325i]

Rich, have you seen the top gear e30 cabby episode? Tea spoons are universal it seems!

[Rich320I]

i have barx,

indeed a teaspoon should be in every car thiefs tool kit.

[steve_k]

Anybody got a pic of the latch through the grill? My cable has snapped at the lever aswell

[age]

guys please don't put this info on an open forum, pm this information in future!
by the way that cable in the boot f the cab is to stop you putting the roof down with the boot open.

[verde]

Its a closed forum only viewable to those who join though, and my bonnet was stuck shut

[snakebrain]

when opened, lube it up

Excellent life advice for a young man there!

[Topblag]

No mate,its inside the boot area connected to the left hand side boot hinge??

That'll be the cable which stops the bootlid opening too far. Especially handy if you are running a hardtop with rear glass window.

[Topblag]

No mate,its inside the boot area connected to the left hand side boot hinge??

That'll be the cable which stops the bootlid opening too far. Especially handy if you are running a hardtop with rear glass window.

It is not there to stop the bootlid opening too far. It is connected to the horseshoe and, if the horseshoe is open and you try to open the boot at the same time, as you lift the boot it will pull the horseshoe closed just enough to prevent the boot and horseshoe making contact.

Every day is a school day.

If it's not there to constrain how far the boot opens (perhaps as a secondary function), why is it the bootlid opens wider with it disconnected than with it connected ?

[daimlerman]

That'll be the cable which stops the bootlid opening too far. Especially handy if you are running a hardtop with rear glass window.

It is not there to stop the bootlid opening too far. It is connected to the horseshoe and, if the horseshoe is open and you try to open the boot at the same time, as you lift the boot it will pull the horseshoe closed just enough to prevent the boot and horseshoe making contact.

Every day is a school day.

If it's not there to constrain how far the boot opens (perhaps as a secondary function), why is it the bootlid opens wider with it disconnected than with it connected ?

Open both the bootlid and the horseshoe,and play with both,as one rises,the other one falls...

And willnz,I just,plain,cannot afford/justify the cost of a hardtop for my summer car....that's just spent 6 weeks of our wonderful English summer in my garage!