Bonnet Catch

[Tomm3]

Hi, the bonnet catch won't release and if I pull the handle any harder I'm worried it will break.
Does anyone know of another way? I think I know what the answer might be to that unfortunately!
Thanks in advance.

[TheRainMaker]

You could try pushing down on the bonnet while you pull the handle.

[bobfather]

^^This^^

Get someone to pull the handle while you bounce the bonnet over the latch. Once open you need to get some axle grease on the latch mechanism

[Tomm3]

Thanks for that, we tried that, I went out again after a "stress break" thought I would try a quick in/out (as it were) a few times and it clicked open.
Same problem even with bonnet open after I closed the latch so I will be ordering a new cable and maybe latch.
Thanks again.

[Sardonicus]

IMO its always the cable the insulation cracks and once moisture and dirt breach the outer part of the cable its curtains i.e poor action/stiff

[Loubaruch]

Having experienced this problem more than once with an "S" I run an emergency release that terminates under the car on the passenger side. Simply a length of Bowden cable (without the insulated cover) attached to the bonnet catch and the other end coiled up and ty-wrapped to a chassis tube.

[Pupp]

Loubaruch said:

Having experienced this problem more than once with an "S" I run an emergency release that terminates under the car on the passenger side. Simply a length of Bowden cable (without the insulated cover) attached to the bonnet catch and the other end coiled up and ty-wrapped to a chassis tube.

Only with TVR

On the Chimp at least, it is possible (carefully) to pull the bonnet up mid length so that that the increased curvature eventually pulls the pin free of the latch.

On mine, the pin retainer is so poorly bonded to the bonnet I doubt I would ever get that far (must fix it)

[Sardonicus]

Pupp said:

Only with TVR

On the Chimp at least, it is possible (carefully) to pull the bonnet up mid length so that that the increased curvature eventually pulls the pin free of the latch.

On mine, the pin retainer is so poorly bonded to the bonnet I doubt I would ever get that far (must fix it)

[QBee]

Sardonicus said:

Pupp said:

Only with TVR

On the Chimp at least, it is possible (carefully) to pull the bonnet up mid length so that that the increased curvature eventually pulls the pin free of the latch.

On mine, the pin retainer is so poorly bonded to the bonnet I doubt I would ever get that far (must fix it)

I had this as an auto-feature. Get the car up to 135mph and the bonnet opened automatically.
Catch now adjusted, but more importantly, I fitted the missing chin spoiler.

[Tomm3]

Just to confirm, and for reference, with the cable off the car the inner still didn't budge. Well I suppose it is almost 20yrs old.

[bobfather]

Has it been a while since you were last in there? Rust needs time to create a solid mass

[Tomm3]

Yeah I'm always checking levels, it's been tight all the time I've had it tbh, about 4yrs.
The outer looks kinked behind the handle so that doesn't help, hopefully new one will be here by tomorrow.