Flying bonnet 2

alfesti

alfesti

Member
Following the post below, I reckon Im about to suffer the same fate as every recent journey my bonnet has released and luckily caught on the safety catch (twice on the motorway).

I am going to ivest in a bit of string (machine mart part no x129str18") before driving home tonight, but is there a more permanant and less twine based solution?

Thanks

Matt
 
Hi Matt,

It the catch isn't holding then there is obviously a reson for this.

Try checking the release cable, if it is to tight then the latch jaws will not be closed properly. Check the male part of the latch i.e. the part attached to the bonnet. this has some adjustment which will be obvious if the bolts are loose then it may be out of alignment. could also be worn.

I would go round ever nut and bolt on the bonnet including the hinges and makesure then are tight enough. If there is slack at the bolts the bonnet will vibrate and that will also cause the bonnet to release.

I have had similar problems in the past and also the opposite problem of not releasing. I cured the problems by loosening the latch then with a bit of trial and error moving back, forward, left, right until I found the best position. It wont really matter whether you do this with the male or female part of the latch but don't recommend having both of them slack at the same time.

Once you have found the best adjustment close bonnet and check that it releases ok and then try pull it open. You will practically be able to lift the front end of the car.

colin
 
hi matt
if you want to align the bonnet latch, place a piece of masking tape over the catch mechanism on the bonnet slam panel. then slowly lower the bonnet until it marks the tape. you will then see if its in line with the latch. adjust the position of everything, then adjust down the lenght of the sprung loaded striker until there is the smallest amount of free play. you must also make sure that the cable is fully returning and that it is not holding the release lever over. this method can be used on any other type of car.
cheers
nick
 
Thanks for the tips, will keep me out of trouble over the bank holiday! It might just be vibration as one the the hinge to wing bolts wont screw in properly, so that will be my first port of call!

Will report back when done

Thanks

Matt
 
Turns out all 4 bonnet hinge bolts were slack, my fault as the whole front end came apart for painting about a year ago, and the problem has gone!

For safety I have left a bit of cable in inch longer than the hold up strut tied from the slam panel to the eye that the strut swings on, so the bonnet operates noramlly, but just in case...

thanks for the ideas chaps

Matt
 
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