Bonnet opening cables

gnu · 8th June 2024, 21:23

My ZT has been suffering from a stuck closed bonnet. I’ve replaced the cabin cable and the splitter box and the bonnet opens now. The o/s catch is later in releasing than the n/s, so I suspect a stretched cable. Can these forward cables be replaced without removing the front bumper and slam panel, just by loosening stuff and tilting the slam panel up? Any shortcuts/ pics of the front cable and catch arrangement would be appreciated. I’m now all to familiar with the rear cable to splitter box!

suzublu · 9th June 2024, 08:09

Cables don't stretch, I suspect the catches may be gummed up. Try loosening the 2 bolts either side of the bonnet catches a little.

Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

SD1too · 9th June 2024, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnu

The o/s catch is later in releasing than the n/s, so I suspect a stretched cable.

In my experience Michael, cleaning is what's needed not cable replacement. Mine are the originals, now 25 years old!

The catches mounted on the bonnet closing panel (I don't do slamming

) become contaminated with a mixture of old grease, dust and dirt making a paste similar to finely chopped black olives that inhibits the smooth operation of the mechanism.

From memory, removal of the front bumper and bonnet closing panel is unavoidable but if you do the job thoroughly it won't be necessary again.

Simon

vitesse · 9th June 2024, 12:45

I'm sure I read something quite recently of someone who replaced the catches by undoing the bolts holding the headlamp panel to the wings, inserting a couple of wooden wedges to increase the gap and managing to remove the catches. Would save hours of work ...

Regards

And the link: https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=322821

gnu · 9th June 2024, 13:24

Thanks for the responses. I've just had a look, and you can just see the cables/ mech if you peer through the gap. All seemed to be located properly and reasonably clean. I sprayed in some silicone lube. Moved the retaining bolts (undid a bit and lightly re-tightened) I also adjusted the interior panel as that was catching the lever. The off-side bonnet catch still operates later, but I'll see how it goes for a while...

Trajic_Tourer · 11th June 2024, 22:58

I managed to do it without removing the bumper, removed the radiator location brackets and slightly "springing" the slam panel. It's a bit of a faff but doable.

My latch boxes were quite gummed up, a good clean and new grease worked. I did find that if you tighten the the box mounting screws a bit too much they pinch the latch mechanism, which can result in the catch not resetting.

gnu · 13th June 2024, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trajic_Tourer

I managed to do it without removing the bumper, removed the radiator location brackets and slightly "springing" the slam panel. It's a bit of a faff but doable.

My latch boxes were quite gummed up, a good clean and new grease worked. I did find that if you tighten the the box mounting screws a bit too much they pinch the latch mechanism, which can result in the catch not resetting.

Thanks, good to know

8th June 2024, 21:23	#1
gnu Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bristol Posts: 714 Thanks: 332 Thanked 164 Times in 133 Posts	Bonnet opening cables My ZT has been suffering from a stuck closed bonnet. I’ve replaced the cabin cable and the splitter box and the bonnet opens now. The o/s catch is later in releasing than the n/s, so I suspect a stretched cable. Can these forward cables be replaced without removing the front bumper and slam panel, just by loosening stuff and tilting the slam panel up? Any shortcuts/ pics of the front cable and catch arrangement would be appreciated. I’m now all to familiar with the rear cable to splitter box! __________________ gnu

9th June 2024, 12:45	#4
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,575 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	I'm sure I read something quite recently of someone who replaced the catches by undoing the bolts holding the headlamp panel to the wings, inserting a couple of wooden wedges to increase the gap and managing to remove the catches. Would save hours of work ... Regards And the link: https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=322821 Last edited by vitesse; 9th June 2024 at 13:13..

9th June 2024, 13:24	#5
gnu Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bristol Posts: 714 Thanks: 332 Thanked 164 Times in 133 Posts	Thanks for the responses. I've just had a look, and you can just see the cables/ mech if you peer through the gap. All seemed to be located properly and reasonably clean. I sprayed in some silicone lube. Moved the retaining bolts (undid a bit and lightly re-tightened) I also adjusted the interior panel as that was catching the lever. The off-side bonnet catch still operates later, but I'll see how it goes for a while... __________________ gnu

9th June 2024, 08:09	#2
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,973 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Cables don't stretch, I suspect the catches may be gummed up. Try loosening the 2 bolts either side of the bonnet catches a little. Sent from my SM-A145R using Tapatalk

11th June 2024, 22:58	#6
Trajic_Tourer Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I managed to do it without removing the bumper, removed the radiator location brackets and slightly "springing" the slam panel. It's a bit of a faff but doable. My latch boxes were quite gummed up, a good clean and new grease worked. I did find that if you tighten the the box mounting screws a bit too much they pinch the latch mechanism, which can result in the catch not resetting.