Slam Panel under bonnet

[leerandle]

I have removed my slam panel from my V8 Vantage as I am currently in the process of making a mould for a carbon replacement. However, since I took off the slam panel, I cant open my bonnet. Is this purely coincidental as I dont see how removing it would stop the bonnet being opened ?? However, I am happy to be told otherwise.

I did write another discussion, but didnt seem to get any replies....:-(

[Sump]

I can't see how it'd make any difference. Are you sure you didn't disturb the catch when you removed it?

[leerandle]

Definitely didnt disturb the catch, its held on by about 12 torx bolts (over engineered....) and the slam panel lifts straight off.

Dont really want to take to main dealers for this, but not sure I can trust local garage to sort it either......?? decisions decisions.

[8Tech]

Try shaking the bonnet whilst someone pulls the bonnet release. Without the slam panel, it may have closed too far and not letting the catch release.

[Sump]

Agreed, I think the slam panel was somewhat stopping it travelling too far. I'd give it a shake as you lift it.

Edited by Sump on Wednesday 12th August 11:24

[leerandle]

Cheers guys, will try it later. I must admit though, cant feel any kind of resistance from the cable release lever as if it has become loose or broken. Failing it opening, off to the garage I'm afraid....

[Jack C]

Your slam panel does offer some support for your latch. I would try snaking a rod through the grill and push the mounting bracket rearward while pulling on the bonnet. (I'm suggesting rearward because of the design of the latch.)

Best of luck

[leerandle]

Managed to open my bonnet last night with the help from my friend, all it needed was a wiggle about as I pulled the lever. The slam panel is about 1,5mm-2mm thick and must affect the bonnet height just enough so that the lever wont operate correctly. Thanks for help guys and glad I dont need a new cable and arms like mr tickle to fix.

[KarlFranz]

leerandle said:

Managed to open my bonnet last night with the help from my friend, all it needed was a wiggle about as I pulled the lever. The slam panel is about 1,5mm-2mm thick and must affect the bonnet height just enough so that the lever wont operate correctly. Thanks for help guys and glad I dont need a new cable and arms like mr tickle to fix.

Its not the thickness of the radiator cover panel that matters. This panel provides a place for the two adjustable rubber spacers on the underside of the bonnet to rest on. Without the panel in place, the bonnet goes too far down and makes it difficult to open.

[SpawnyWhippet]

I'm looking to buy one for my 2007 V8 Vantage if anyone has one for sale, or upgraded to a carbon fiber panel.

[Graze01]

Lee

the slam pane= holds the bonnet off the catch so when you pull it it springs open

ask me how I know

two people - 1 pull the bonnet catch, trhe other jiggle bonnet till it opens

worked for me
Graze

[Calinours]

Graze01 said:

Lee

the slam pane= holds the bonnet off the catch so when you pull it it springs open

ask me how I know

two people - 1 pull the bonnet catch, trhe other jiggle bonnet till it opens

worked for me
Graze

This weeks prize for thread resurrection and answering decade old questions

To add to this for posterity:

The only influence the ‘slam panel’ has on bonnet open/close is down to the fact that the bonnet “closed position adjustment feet” land on top of said panel. The panel, as a fixed surface thus effectively determines the stop and final closed position of the bonnet, but the adjustment is all in the bonnet assembly (ie the bonnet mounted ‘feet’ that land on the panel) itself.

Thus - if a slam panel is changed to a different, thicker, thinner panel, the closed position of the bonnet will shift subtlety and may affect the ability to open on the internal lever. If it happens, open as described above, (a second person), WD40 the letch mechanism (just for good measure) and adjust (by rotation) the landing feet on the underside of the bonnet.

Source : me. I replaced my Aluminium OEM panel for a prettier EPCS jobbie sometime back.

Note: the EpCS panel is cheap, but it isn’t a straightforward swap. You should really to remove the glued on radiator stays front the underside of the original panel and re-attach then (using epoxy glue) to the new panel, or you will risk early failure (through fatigue) of your cooling system components.

[Graze01]

Calinours said:

This weeks prize for thread resurrection and answering decade old questions

except I wasnt the one who resurrected it!

but I did miss the dates on the original thread - hope he got it sorted

Graze