Can't Open My Bonnet

[Tripps]

Went out to fit my new battery and touch up my fluids ready for Le Mans, pulled the lever and only the offside bonnet popped up

I pulled and moved the nearside section in any which way, but no joy, so went out for a drive to cheer myself up and hoping (at one in a million odds) that the heat generated my allow the bonnet to open, but alas no joy.

Has anyone else had similar problems, and does anyone have any handy hints?

Thanks,

Rob

[al_s3c]

Yeah, been there, seen it, done it and bought the T-shirt!

I found that the only solution to this is brute force. Get someone to hold the bonnet release lever open (or tie it to the steering wheel with some string) and apply some muscle (more than really feels comfortable) and yank that bonnet open. Well, this worked for me without breaking anything, but clearly I offer no guarantees!

Once you have the bonnet open, adjusting the nuts on the bonnet hinge will help alleviate this problem. Put some masking tape over the holes that the catches engage into and gently lower the bonnet without completely closing it. The catches will pierce the tape and allow you to check alignment.

Sorry I don't have anything more scientific to offer but its what worked for me.

By the way, first post on this excellent site - been the owner of a Cooper Green S3c for a couple of months now - an inane grin seems to be a permanent feature on my face!

[Podie]

al_s3c said:... an inane grin seems to be a permanent feature on my face!

It's a feature of TVR ownership!


Tripps - get some WD40 into the machanism if you can... might help?!?

[rzrz]

If nothing helps: jack up the car and remove the wheel. With your head under the wheelarch you can see the mechanism that secures the bonnet. With a spanner you just can reach it. Loosen the nut that keeps the pin in it's place, now you can open the bonnet with some gentle sidewards movements.
Before closing again: the trick with the tape!

[swindorski]

Try giving the open side a sideways "bumshove" while someone pulls up gentlu on stuck side.
Works for me!!!

[keithyboy]

Yep - been there done that . . .etc etc too! This is a well known problem with the S bonnet set-up. The "bum shove" or "push and pull" is the best way to go, as shown to be my a TVR tech at Mole Valley. One person each side of the bonnet - it will eventually pop up - its not always necessary to have the release lever pulled up as it depends on the cause of the problem which is usually misalignment. As well as whats already been suggested, take a look at the hinges and the brackets at the front of the chassis on which the bonnet is mounted. The square chassis tube is actually fairly weak, and can distort which will cause the problems you have - especially if you've been less than careful parking and "dinged" the front end - evn slightly so. If it has bent and has not rusted you can bang it back into shape! - Let us know how you get on!

[tvrmark]

rzrz said: If nothing helps: jack up the car and remove the wheel. With your head under the wheelarch you can see the mechanism that secures the bonnet. With a spanner you just can reach it. Loosen the nut that keeps the pin in it's place, now you can open the bonnet with some gentle sidewards movements.
Before closing again: the trick with the tape!

Taking thr inner wheel arch of helps gain access, it was the only way I could get it open once.


Mark