Bonnet Catch Safety Pull.

[ElvisWedgely]

Last night I had a bad dream that the bonnet catch broke and I couldn't get the bonnet open. So, today I was changing the engine oil and filter, I had an idea. I tied a piece of strong nylon string to the hole in the catch return spring and taped it to the side so as it can be accessed when the bonnet is shut. Thus, should the worst happen and the cable break, I can pull the nylon string and release the catch. This can of course be replaced by a steel cable and rooted into the car, but for now, this is my first attempt and something to put my mind at ease.

I know others have had cables snap on them before and ended up cutting parts of bonnets and vents to release the catch. theoretically, the catch can be reached from under the car from passenger side of the gearbox, but it must be really difficult to do. Here are a couple of pictures. Comments please...

Tony. TCB.

[ElvisWedgely]

Tony. TCB.

[mrzigazaga]

Try drinking a hot milky chocolate drink with no sugar before you go to sleep...

Well as i have been there..Cut a hole in my bonnet vent...(No laughing Adam H) to access the catch it looks a very good idea albeit a bit crude..

[adam quantrill]

Proof of the pudding though - does it work?

[ElvisWedgely]

adam quantrill said:

Proof of the pudding though - does it work?

Well, I suppose it's a bit like the secondary parachute, you only pull it when you need it, and if it doesn't work then, you've had it.

I haven't actually tested it yet, but common sense tells me that when you pull a lever the correct way, it should release. Tomorrow, I shall put it to the test, and who knows, if it works I may patent it.

Tony. TCB.

[V8 Fettler]

Can you get to the "pull-loop" with the bonnet locked? I have a loop of cable as a back-up, can be reached from under the car. Can't remember how to use it though! It's been a few years since I fitted it.

[ElvisWedgely]

V8 Fettler said:

Can you get to the "pull-loop" with the bonnet locked?.

Yes, the loop is in between the gap between bonnet and wing and can easily be accessed, though cannot be seen when bonet is down and locked. Originally,I too thought of dangling it under the car but the direction of pull would be opposite, unless you loop it around something. This way at least its pulling in the right direction. It looks a bit untidy at the moment and if it works I will replace it with a steel cable and root it in the car under the passenger side.

Tony. TCB.

[ferlin]

If you are going to all the trouble of fitting an additional steel cable, why dont you just replace the old one with new instead and sleep without worrying about it for the next 20 plus years?

ElvisWedgely said:

Yes, the loop is in between the gap between bonnet and wing and can easily be accessed, though cannot be seen when bonet is down and locked. Originally,I too thought of dangling it under the car but the direction of pull would be opposite, unless you loop it around something. This way at least its pulling in the right direction. It looks a bit untidy at the moment and if it works I will replace it with a steel cable and root it in the car under the passenger side.

Tony. TCB.

[ElvisWedgely]

ferlin said:

If you are going to all the trouble of fitting an additional steel cable, why dont you just replace the old one with new instead and sleep without worrying about it for the next 20 plus years?

Replacing the cable with a new one is always a good idea, but it's not always the cable that fails. It could for example work loose out of its holder, or the cable end stop could give way, both of which would result in the bonnet jammed shut. After all, if every new parachute opened each time, there wouldn't be a need for a secondary backup. Know what I mean?

Tony. TCB.

[KKson]

Tony I thought you were selling the Wedge? Is this to therefore assist the potential new owner?

[gmw9666]

ElvisWedgely said:

Tony. TCB.

Interesting heater pipe routing......mine is not like that???

Got one pipe going from the engine valley down the off side of the gearbox and up.......and the other just under the bonnet catch..........I am just odd? lol

[JVaughan]

Great Idea. Might look into this in more detail over the winter

[JumboBeef]

Oh god, something else for me to worry about......

[ElvisWedgely]

KKson said:

Tony I thought you were selling the Wedge? Is this to therefore assist the potential new owner?

Yes and No. Although my Wedge is still for sale, I am still using it. Therefore improvements are continually ongoing for my benefit. After all, it is a Wedge and so improvements are needed continually. However, I'm not doing these out of the goodness of my heart. The improvements, recent servicing etc. will all be included in the final sale price. Anyway, I find these Wedges sell better when you increase the price. Sooner or later someone will realise they are missing out on a good Wedge, but until then I shall be making a lot of noise on stage and off.

Tony. TCB.