Bonnet release fault - caught in time

tealandsilver · 3rd December 2011, 14:33

Had a narrow escape today with my bonnet release. Had been under the bonnet last week without any issues gaining access, but today noticed that my bonnet release lever hadn't retracted properly.

Pulling the lever initially didn't open the bonnet but after a couple of goes the bonnet release finally operated at the extreme end of it's travel. :xmas-smiley-004: Investigating I noticed that the bonnet catches were virtually completely retracted despite loads of grease applied at the start of the year. The cable pulls were all in good order, including the splitter box (mod in the how to section done couple of years back). Washed out the old grease with WD40 and then decided to use oil on the catches rather than grease. By careful use of an air gun I was able to blow the oil fully into the mechanism, however although the catches now retracted , the action still wasn't clean. Then decided to see if I could loosen the catches far enough to see what was wrong. As soon as first bolt was slackened the catch retracted fully and cleanly! Tried this on the other one and had same affect (this one was considerably tighter than for other catch). So I've finished off by re-tightening both bolts on each catch to less torque than previous, just enough to grip the mechanism then a smidgen more. Final result is bonnet releases very cleanly and release lever FULLY retracts after every pull. So if your lever isn't flush with it's surround, then I suggest that you check the catches before it's too late......

Cookegan · 3rd December 2011, 18:46

My bonnet release same as this. Tried loosening bolts on catches, but the catch itself doesn't want to come out from the retracted position at all on the driver's side and only peeps oot a wee bit on t'other. Result is pull lever inside car is all floppy and only works if you pull it as far as it will go. Seems as if bonnet is only held down with the one catch on passenger side. Tried squirting all sorts of stuff into catches and working it with a screwdriver, but to no real avail - is it possible to dismantle them and get them working off the car? I took the grille off and had a quick look, but it didn't seem easy?!

stocktake · 3rd December 2011, 18:51

Slackening the securing bolts on the bonnet catches a 1/4 turn is always the first option, if you have to dis assemble the bonnet catches to ease and clean, its a bumper and slam panel off job.

Cookegan · 3rd December 2011, 19:22

How did I just know you were going to say that!!!!

psicobra · 3rd December 2011, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

Slackening the securing bolts on the bonnet catches a 1/4 turn is always the first option, if you have to dis assemble the bonnet catches to ease and clean, its a bumper and slam panel off job.

nice wheels dave

3rd December 2011, 14:33	#1
tealandsilver Regular poster Rover 75 CDTi SE Contemporary Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Scotland Posts: 40 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bonnet release fault - caught in time Had a narrow escape today with my bonnet release. Had been under the bonnet last week without any issues gaining access, but today noticed that my bonnet release lever hadn't retracted properly. Pulling the lever initially didn't open the bonnet but after a couple of goes the bonnet release finally operated at the extreme end of it's travel. :xmas-smiley-004: Investigating I noticed that the bonnet catches were virtually completely retracted despite loads of grease applied at the start of the year. The cable pulls were all in good order, including the splitter box (mod in the how to section done couple of years back). Washed out the old grease with WD40 and then decided to use oil on the catches rather than grease. By careful use of an air gun I was able to blow the oil fully into the mechanism, however although the catches now retracted , the action still wasn't clean. Then decided to see if I could loosen the catches far enough to see what was wrong. As soon as first bolt was slackened the catch retracted fully and cleanly! Tried this on the other one and had same affect (this one was considerably tighter than for other catch). So I've finished off by re-tightening both bolts on each catch to less torque than previous, just enough to grip the mechanism then a smidgen more. Final result is bonnet releases very cleanly and release lever FULLY retracts after every pull. So if your lever isn't flush with it's surround, then I suggest that you check the catches before it's too late......

3rd December 2011, 18:51	#3
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,593 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	Slackening the securing bolts on the bonnet catches a 1/4 turn is always the first option, if you have to dis assemble the bonnet catches to ease and clean, its a bumper and slam panel off job. __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

3rd December 2011, 18:46	#2
Cookegan Regular poster 75 1.8T Tourer '53 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Inverclyde Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My bonnet release same as this. Tried loosening bolts on catches, but the catch itself doesn't want to come out from the retracted position at all on the driver's side and only peeps oot a wee bit on t'other. Result is pull lever inside car is all floppy and only works if you pull it as far as it will go. Seems as if bonnet is only held down with the one catch on passenger side. Tried squirting all sorts of stuff into catches and working it with a screwdriver, but to no real avail - is it possible to dismantle them and get them working off the car? I took the grille off and had a quick look, but it didn't seem easy?!

3rd December 2011, 19:22	#4
Cookegan Regular poster 75 1.8T Tourer '53 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Inverclyde Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How did I just know you were going to say that!!!!