V8S Stuck bonnet
Discussion
ianbruce said:
The drivers bonnet catch on my V8S will not release, the passenger side is OK, can anybody give me some ideas?
Thanks.
If you're lucky, it's just the bonnet pin misaligned with the latch. You can usually pursuade them to release by wedging the bonnet release handle in the 'open' position and nudging the bonnet in all directions while pulling firmly up on that corner. The force required can be quite high, a gentle tug is not usually sufficient. If this doesn't work, then you may need to slacken off the bonnet adjusters at the front to allow you to move the bonnet an inch or so in every direction and try again. You can do this with the bonnet closed although it is quite fiddly.
If you're unlucky the problem is the cable to the catch on that side has snapped. You can just about reach the bottom of the catch from the inside, but I don't think there would be enough access to operate the catch unless you were to cut an access hole in the inner wing panel. You can just about see the catch from under the bonnet with the bonnet down, and some people have managed to release the catch by poking it with a rod, but it looks nearly impossible to me.
Edited to add: after you have got it open, check the bonnet pin alignment before you shut it again. The best way to do this is to make sure the adjusters and bonnet pins are all securely located, put some tape over the catches and gently close the bonnet so the pins mark the tape. This will show whether the pins are lined up correctly with the catches.
>> Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 25th January 12:54
This has happened to mine too!
Try pushing/bouncing on the back 'lip' of the bonnet with the palm of your hand to try and jump the pin out of the catch....It's worked for me!
Alternatively, use a length of timber to poke the pin out of the catch.
Once its open, don't forget to lubricate the spring pins and catch slides!
It could possibly be that the cable to the catch has broken. In which case you are going to have to get as much 'lift' as possible to the bonnet on the drivers side and then lever the pin forwards to clear the latch slide.
Good luck. Nick
I see comments are coming in!
>> Edited by nawarne on Tuesday 25th January 13:04
Try pushing/bouncing on the back 'lip' of the bonnet with the palm of your hand to try and jump the pin out of the catch....It's worked for me!
Alternatively, use a length of timber to poke the pin out of the catch.
Once its open, don't forget to lubricate the spring pins and catch slides!
It could possibly be that the cable to the catch has broken. In which case you are going to have to get as much 'lift' as possible to the bonnet on the drivers side and then lever the pin forwards to clear the latch slide.
Good luck. Nick
I see comments are coming in!
>> Edited by nawarne on Tuesday 25th January 13:04
Mine stuck down at Castle Coombe last year. Tried all morning to release it. Finally decided to leave it as I was due out on track, due to the heavy rain and right foot I spun half way round. The resulting spin over many bumps made the bonnet release!(and a change in underpant colour)
I am not suggesting you take your car for a spin litterly but a drive may encourage it to release.
Christian.
>> Edited by stephenson on Tuesday 25th January 15:18
I am not suggesting you take your car for a spin litterly but a drive may encourage it to release.
Christian.
>> Edited by stephenson on Tuesday 25th January 15:18
My bonnet release (nearside) got stuck down at Le Mans in 2003 after losing some fluid on the way down, tried everything including taking of the wheel and wheel-arch inner to get my arm in but no joy.
Booked it in to be fixed on my return, but on a lunchtime drive the bonnet suddently started flapping, stopped and adjusted everything there and then and all was OK from then onwards.
Funny things S bonnets, but they do look good
Booked it in to be fixed on my return, but on a lunchtime drive the bonnet suddently started flapping, stopped and adjusted everything there and then and all was OK from then onwards.
Funny things S bonnets, but they do look good
Mine did that once I took the wheel off and removed the latchpin from the bonnet. I could just reach up and get a spanner on it 19mm I think. My S is an early one with no inner wings so you may need to get that off if you can. Then you can release the pin but be carefull as the spring is very strong.
yep been there got the t shirt!!! pull the lever and get someone to give the offending side a bl**dy good shove with the palm of their hand! then re adjust when open.......... this is how io got my bonnet to be as tight as possible to stop it poppiong open. Adjust until it wont open without a bit of persuasion then re adjust. PS once had it so tight it wouldn't open again till the engine bay cooled down... then it opened... so bear in mind the heat factor!
NickP_S2 said:You can do that in an S2 (as I have done many times), but AFAIK I don't think it's possible in S3 onwards (inner wing boxed in).
If its really stuck you will need to get upside down in the drivers side footwell and undo the two bolts that hold the entire latch in place.
Great fun!
Can't think why......... 
Roy, (and whoever else mentioned it),
On my V8S there is access through the inner wing to the latch plate holding down bolts. The 'hole'is under the carpet - - so that does need to be pulled back, then you can access the bolts with a socket and knuckle.
I guess there has to be access - -unless the hole is/was closed up after build.
Nick.
On my V8S there is access through the inner wing to the latch plate holding down bolts. The 'hole'is under the carpet - - so that does need to be pulled back, then you can access the bolts with a socket and knuckle.
I guess there has to be access - -unless the hole is/was closed up after build.
Nick.
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