The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums - Bonnet Cable Problem

The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/index.php)

- Technical Help Forum (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=11)

- - Bonnet Cable Problem (https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4496)

Bonnet Cable Problem

Hi All,

Looks like I've got a small problem or maybe a big one!
Its been a fine day today so thought I would give the 75 a good cleaning and a good wax. Once I had finished thought I would check the engine for the usual inspection so I reached into the drivers side area to pull on the bonnet catch release to hear a twang and to find myself in the position of not being able to open the bonnet. The catch release is just slack with no tension at all.
HELP! Is this something I can fix myself or is it back to the garage and is it fixable?

Cheers

James

Hi James,

Have a read here,
http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ead.php?t=2535

we do not like this sort of information left in the open as it can aid people breaking in to cars. :)

Ops where's my manners,

WELCOME to the forums :)

Thanks for the info. Great Support & Great Forum.

:grouphug:

as this seems to be becoming a common problem, is there any preventetive maintenance that can be done ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by moodybluezt (Post 45163)

as this seems to be becoming a common problem, is there any preventative maintenance that can be done ?

Yes there is. Every six months grease both bonnet lock catch openings in the slam panel using a good quality heavy grease - put the same stuff on the actual catches attached to the bonnet underside. the root cause you see is the catch mechanism drying out and sticking. If greased regularly then the risk is greatly reduced.

hth

Mike

In my case it was the cable coming out of the Junction box where 1 cable becomes 2. Box appeared to keep falling off so did a Temp repair with a cable tie.
Any point spraying cables with WD too?

Best to keep the whole system oiled / greased, squirt WD into the places you cannot get grease.
The junction box detaching from the bodywork is AFAIK very unusual, it's generally cables becoming detached due to stiff or stuck mechanisms as reported above by Mike.
Cables can break at the slam panel end but we have a fix for that as well.

If you suffer any of these problems, please ask a moderator or admin for help. Solutions are held off the public board for security purposes.

Cheers GG will make sure all kept lunricated.
Could have been cable coming out that caused original problem.
Garages don't seem to lubricate them either most of the time.

Solution To Cables Popping Out Of Divider Box

The Mod my local Rover dealer does (once your bonnet is open of course) is to unclip the HOUSING BONNET COUPLER and rotate the SHUTTLE (divider block) 180 degrees and replace. This mod is recommended for every 75 ZT owner to do straight away before the cable nipples pop out! Location of these parts see Pictures on page 7 post no 67 of this thread.

The cable routing is such that there's a slight curve around the cable divider and hence the cable nipples are biased to pop out towards the front wing.

So the way to assemle the nipple block is so that the inner cables and nipples slot in from the engine direction. If you are not sure if your block has been turned or not CHECK IT NOW! Also put a cable tie or several wraps of tape where the single cable goes into the divider block housing.....this will stop the outer cable pulling through the housing in extreme cases.

I must have turned about 40 dividers round in the last year! Also make sure the bonnet catches are oiled every 6 months and not just every service. Happy nipple checking! I've posted this info on 260's site also ... Hope it helps.
PM me if you're unsure.

These Mods give the bonnet release lever a much more Solid feel and I have not to date had a correctly assembled cable divider pop out again.;)