Bonnet stuck shut - HELP!!!

JC · 15-03-2006, 11:54 PM

As the title suggests, my bonnet will not open. I went in for an LPG certficate for rego today, and they couldn't get the bonnet open (I was there the whole time). The cable appears to have snapped at the latch, not the handle. Anyway, I can get a 10mm ring spanner on the drivers side bolt and can turn it, so that should prove to be no problem getting off, the passenger side has the latch handle in the way.

Has anyone had to remove an AU bonnet when it was stuck shut? What is the best (perhaps only) way to remove the passenger side bolt holding the latch to the radiator support panel? Without wrecking the bonnet? Failing that, anyone in or near Canberra have a spare Galaxy Blue low series (XR, series 1 Forte or ute) bonnet that they want to part with for a reasonable price?

Walkinshaw · 16-03-2006, 12:02 AM

Hole saw

JC · 16-03-2006, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

Hole saw

Not a half saw? The hole thing, eh? ROFL.

That's what worries me. I wish it had snapped at the handle (in car) end! Much easier to fix.

Racecraft · 16-03-2006, 07:19 AM

Im sure we used to bend the level out of the way and undo the latch, been a awhile since I had a s1 bonnet though

XR6-VCT-2000 · 16-03-2006, 08:15 AM

yeah i'de be just trying to bend the lever/handle out of the way too if possible , must be able to get it open with a broken cable , surelly destroying bonnets couldn't be the last resort ! ... good luck with it anyway , sorry to hear ya dramas.

AU:PROJECT:UTE · 16-03-2006, 09:37 AM

Just an idea here guys so feel free to flame it down, but if you can get under it ie two post hoist, i'd remove your radiatior splash tray and see is you can reach up to the bonnet catch where the cable runs and grab it with a pair of pliers; or possibly releasing it from underneath. I've never tried it but I think with patience it could be achieved, gotta be better trying this than getting the good old hole saw out???

**Mechan1k** · 16-03-2006, 09:48 AM

I was thinking of the same thing ... i am sure you could get an arm up there from underneath behind the front bar.

Last time I looked there was plenty of room behind the front bar anyway.

T3man · 16-03-2006, 10:01 AM

Mate you have a real tough one there --- the only way I can see is to get a bit of strong rod and bend the end of it at a bit of an angle and feed it through the front bonnet gap and try to "push" the release mechanism, at the arm/point where the cable connects, to get it to release the catch.

JC · 16-03-2006, 07:42 PM

Thanks all. T3man - I am going to try your idea as I think it's the only way. Luckily I have a spare latch here to practice on out of the car, and I have poped the bonnet on the wagon and had a look and there's no way I can get to it from underneath, as it sits in the radiator support panel. Have already tried a big screwdriver, and I've snapped to ring spanners trying to bend them for the right angle.

So an angled piece of wire or something is about all I have left.

GK · 16-03-2006, 08:16 PM

Sorry to hear of your dramas JC.

Man that's one for the books though, JC asking for advice! There's usually no problem that he hasn't got advice for!

Once he's got it sorted, you can bet he'll post the antidote to help others! LOL!

All the very best with it JC!

GK

FPV8U · 16-03-2006, 08:45 PM

Good luck mate what a pain in the @$$

My AU · 16-03-2006, 11:10 PM

Maybe take it to a dealer. If they bugger your bonnet, then it's on them.
You never know, yours might not be the first.

Smoke Pursuit · 16-03-2006, 11:24 PM

Id try the dealer before i started bending the car up, or the dealers panel shop.

JC · 17-03-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

Sorry to hear of your dramas JC.

Man that's one for the books though, JC asking for advice! There's usually no problem that he hasn't got advice for!

Once he's got it sorted, you can bet he'll post the antidote to help others! LOL!

All the very best with it JC!

GK

Yep, I was in two minds about asking for advice!

It's now all fixed. I did try the wire method, but just couldn't get it in properly. With the bonnet shut, there's just not enough room to get the angle right.

So.....A short 10mm ring spanner, with a 60 degree bend in the handle (about 1.5" from the ring end), wired and taped to a screwdriver did the trick. Took me about 30 mins to undo the 2 bolts - only had about 1/8 to 1/4 turn each time. Anyway, new cable fitted and bonnet nows opens and shuts, just like it did before.

FPV8U · 17-03-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Yep, I was in two minds about asking for advice!

It's now all fixed. I did try the wire method, but just couldn't get it in properly. With the bonnet shut, there's just not enough room to get the angle right.

So.....A short 10mm ring spanner, with a 60 degree bend in the handle (about 1.5" from the ring end), wired and taped to a screwdriver did the trick. Took me about 30 mins to undo the 2 bolts - only had about 1/8 to 1/4 turn each time. Anyway, new cable fitted and bonnet nows opens and shuts, just like it did before.

Ahh good news mate.

Bucknaked · 17-03-2006, 08:22 PM

Another Mod by JC

: Getting stuck bonnets open. Write an article for AU Falcon.com

JC · 17-03-2006, 09:28 PM

Thanks Bucky, but only after you write an article on how to prepare rice.

Bucknaked · 17-03-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Thanks Bucky, but only after you write an article on how to prepare rice.

Its simple. i'd tell you, but your not security cleared to get the answer

GK · 17-03-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Yep, I was in two minds about asking for advice!

It's now all fixed.

So.....A short 10mm ring spanner, with a 60 degree bend in the handle (about 1.5" from the ring end), wired and taped to a screwdriver did the trick.

Glad to hear that it's sorted JC. And as usual, you now have another remedy for another problem! LOL! Very glad you didn't have to resort to taking it to Ford either! Good job!

A pic of this new fangdangled specialist tool would be good to see. Perhaps you could make up a few and sell them on ebay! LOL!

By the way, whilst I have your attention, please have a read of the thread I posted earlier today regarding "Throttle Cable Slack!" I would like to now your thoughts.

Cheers,

GK