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Any Ideas??
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:31 pm
by DB1
I have just bought my first minor (1963 4 door) and having riven it for 6 hours down from skegness without hitch im more than happy! However arriving home I went to pop the bonnet to check fluid levels and the bonnet release has got itself stuck. I pulled it to pop the bonnet and the pull got stuck out without releasing the bonnet.
Seems whatever the wire attaches to has got stuck leaving the pull out but obviously not doing what i wanted. Tried some grease to where it attaches but no luck.
Any help much appreciated!
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 8:47 pm
by pfgiz
Firstly be very careful, this happened to me once and the only tool I had was a wheel brace which I ended up pushing through the radiator, not great….
The bonnet release is a plate which is moved towards the drivers side of the car by means of a rod and cam movement. The plate is attached to a rod that links to a plate, the 'cam', that is pulled by the rod in the car. If you look up through the grill at the mechanism you can see the ‘cam’ which links the two rods, on the far left as you look at the car. It is possible to push this to the left using a screw driver through the grill, being careful not to scratch the paint or damage the Radiator. It should move to the left with a stiff push, if not try tapping the screw driver with a hammer but be careful. Sorry to keep on about the carefulness of this but it’s very easy, when wielding tools near the radiator, to hole it. When the cam moves the bonnet should spring up and allow you to depress the secondary catch to open it.
You will then have to fix the main rod so you don’t have to do this next time. You should spot the long rod down the left hand side of the engine bay not connected to anything.
Good luck….
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:21 pm
by Mogwai
assuming the rod hasn't come off, the bonnet catch could just be sticky through lack of use, seizing or in need of adjustment. get someone to pull the bonnet release whilst you pull & push the bonnet & sometimes a sharp thump near the catch with the palm of your hand can work
Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:59 pm
by simmitc
The fact that the pull does not seem to return is simply that the return spring has come loose. You'll see from here:
http://www.morrisminor.org.uk/catalogue/bpp16.htm
that the spring attaches to the rod by means of a sliding tab.
The diagram might help you see what else has gone wrong.