Bonnet Catch

[jimed]

Sitting here and feel like having a fiddle under the bonnet. I've had it up and down a few times recently checking the clamps on the new silicon hoses and it has got progressively harder to shut. It is almost like it isn't going down far enough; I had a similar problem a while ago and wonder if I can move the catch up a little higher (I've already moved it as far as it will go) to see if that sorts the problem (there is a bit of clear plastic tube on the bit attached to the bonnet and that looks a bit cut which may be a part of the problem). Either way it would be useful to take the catch off and have a good look at it; only 2 bolts - but are the nuts retained or am I going to finish up with a bigger job than I really want?
Any experience appreciated.
Jim

[Lunablack]

Nuts were retained on mine

[jimed]

Thanks for the info - I'll have a fiddle in a few mins.
Jim

Later - well I've taken the catch off and given it a good clean . I've also filed a little from the bottom of the bolt holes so I can set it slightly higher. Put it back on and set the cable, etc. and - no different - for some reason it feels as if it isn't pushing the bar on the bonnet down far enough. The catch works fine and its action is not being impeded by the cable adjustment (I'm also ensuring that the release handle is pushed fully home) so I'm not sure where to try next. It has done this a few times and then seems to work fine for a while. The bonnet is currently shut OK but it isn't always the easiest thing to do so any ideas appreciated. Maybe it needs a new bit of the tube stuff on the bonnet bar (a new piece was put on a couple of years ago by X Works) but should that be so essential?
Jim

Edited by jimed on Wednesday 28th December 09:25

[jimed]

I've just added an update by doing an edit to my last post but the list doesn't show it as having changed so this is to say I've updated it in the hopes of some thoughts....
Jim

[Loubaruch]

Did you replace the plastic tube that was cut?
Perhaps the lock may be bent slightly out of alignment, see if it lines up with the bonnet peg just before closing (easier said than done!)
I always have to slam my bonnet to close it, tried adjusting but it made little difference. Gently closing it never seems to work, a quick sharp slam above the lock and it always does.

Edited by Loubaruch on Wednesday 28th December 10:35

[jimed]

The bonnet bar does align with the lock Ok (I can just about see this with a torch as the bonnet is almost shutting) and the lock doesn't appear to be distorted in any way. I haven't replaced the plastic tube over the bar (it isn't cut but dented slightly) so maybe this is the problem but it does seem strange that it should be so sensitive - it is only a lock after all.
Jim

[jesfirth]

slightly off topic but the bonnet opening cable snapped on my 400 and I had a pig of a job opening it. On my 500 I have run a separate wire from the catch over the bell housing and just tied it to the chassis rail on the passenger side so if the main cable ever breaks i can jack the car up and open it by pulling the wire