Let me in!

Post by **Lesley** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:13 pm

Can anyone offer any suggestions for how to open the bonnet on my 1962 convertible? The bonnet release rod is loose and has clearly come adrift from release mechanism. The paintwork on my beautiful car is immaculate and I am really apprehensive about damaging it in my attempt to 'break in'! Any suggestions gratefully received
Lesley

Post by **Kevin** » Wed May 12, 2004 6:30 pm

If you look between the top couple of grill bars on the drivers side of the car you can see the catch mechanism and if you use a long screwdriver and place it against the right part of the catch (position it with a finger) and then give the handle a sharp tap it will release the spring, either the split pin or the circular retaining type of washer has come adrift, a temporary fix can be effected by using a cable tie done up tight on the bottom of the rod with it back in place.
If you have any problems fill in your whereabouts in your profile and someone locally should be able to do it for you, but its fairly easy when you have it to hand, just that its fiddly.

Post by **Lesley** » Wed May 12, 2004 7:30 pm

Thank you for that! I will put your advice into action tomorrow afternoon and keep you posted...
Regards
Lesley

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed May 12, 2004 8:11 pm

The method works quite well - my 61 didn't have a splitpin when I bought it and the release had become detached by the time it got home..

Post by **dennis** » Wed May 12, 2004 9:29 pm

i have had this problem before, and a sharp tap with the hand on the front of the bonnet to hit gently sideways sometimes works, and no fear of messing up any paintwork

Post by **Kevin** » Fri May 14, 2004 11:40 am

and a sharp tap with the hand on the front of the bonnet to hit gently sideways sometimes works,

Being a joiner Dennis I would think your gentle hand tap is probably a lot harder than me hitting it full tilt so I will stick with the screwdriver method.

Post by **dennis** » Fri May 14, 2004 6:09 pm

yes i am sure you are right

Post by **Lesley** » Sat May 15, 2004 6:53 am

Thank you!!!! The bonnet is now open with no damage to the paintwork. I couldn't quite see through the grille but found that I could see up from underneath the car very clearly and with a willing assistant (!) managed to get a long metal rod in position. A few gentle taps then perhaps not so gentle taps.... 'This is never going to...' PING! It did! It appears that the split pin had been replaced at some point with a piece of wire which had just given up the ghost. It is now VERY securely pinned and a periodic check will be added to lmy evergrowing list of regular car checks.
Kevin - you're a star!

Lesley

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Sat May 15, 2004 9:40 am

dennis are you a joiner?. ive got problems with the windows in my flat.

Post by **Kevin** » Sat May 15, 2004 10:06 am

Glad it worked Lesley, its one of those things that once you have had it happen you dont forget the fix.

Post by **dennis** » Sat May 15, 2004 6:44 pm

hello
yes i am a joiner, send me a pp with your problem on your windows
denis

Post by **Alastair** » Thu May 20, 2004 8:25 pm

Now - doesn't that show the doubters the value of the website? Lesley's got her bonnet open, Brixtonmorris has found someone to sort his windows. Anyone in Cornwall fancy building my workshop for me?

Post by **brixtonmorris** » Fri May 21, 2004 8:31 pm

hey Dennis. i am making new sash windows. iv got a milling machine, you guys can cut square holes, metalworkers find it difficult. busy filling squares at the moment. its comming on though.

Post by **Kevin** » Fri May 21, 2004 9:10 pm

Anyone in Cornwall fancy building my workshop for me?

Well Alistair no harm in asking even if you do have more front than Sainsburys