bonnet wont open

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:19 pm

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?

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:29 pm

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,

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:35 pm

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

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:47 pm

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.

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:54 pm

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

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:16 pm

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

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:20 pm

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?

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:31 pm

is it the horseshoe pop?

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:33 pm

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

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:45 pm

Barx325i wrote: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?!

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:47 pm

in a word yes

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:01 pm

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:03 pm

Rich320I wrote:in a word yes

As I said.....

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:10 pm

tis abit shocking,

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

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:14 pm

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

Post Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:17 pm

i have barx,

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

Post Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:46 am

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

Post Fri Jul 27, 2012 12:24 pm

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.

Post Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:35 pm

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

Post Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:47 pm

Barx325i wrote:when opened, lube it up

Excellent life advice for a young man there!

Post Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:47 pm

macas wrote: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.

Post Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:45 pm

willnz wrote:
Topblag wrote:
macas wrote: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 ?

Post Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:10 am

Topblag wrote:
willnz wrote:
Topblag wrote: 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!