Releasing a stuck bonnet catch on an S3?..

[Psychobert]

I can see I'm going to be a regular contrributor of requests for help..

Release lever only releases the latch on the nearside and no amount of fiddling or gently trying to slide fingers under the offside seems to free it up..

Well, I gave up after a couple of minutes as it was pissing down, but not sure I'll have much luck in the daylight when its not raining.. Ideas anyone?

[tvrgaas]

Not had this problem on my S, but on brother's M or Grantura (similar bonnet!) one trick was to try pushing/flexing the bonnet East/West (If you say engine is North South). Afterwards the catches can be adjusted, (it can also leak here, so remember to seal afterwards! I think you can also adjust the hinges, but it's tricky job.

As an side one of the M speciallist (Adrian Venn?) did/does hinges which are quick release to allow the bonnet to be removed for easier access.

[greenv8s]

I can see I'm going to be a regular contrributor of requests for help..

Release lever only releases the latch on the nearside and no amount of fiddling or gently trying to slide fingers under the offside seems to free it up..

Well, I gave up after a couple of minutes as it was pissing down, but not sure I'll have much luck in the daylight when its not raining.. Ideas anyone?

Hopefully the cable is OK and it's just the bonnet out of line catching on the latch. Tie the release lever in the 'open' position and pull sideways and up on the corner of the bonnet that won't release. Try in different directions. You might have to pull very hard indeed, but start off gently and work up to it if necessary. This has always worked for me.

It is possible to release the pivot bolts with the bonnet closed, which will leave the bonnet free to move around in any direction. You'd want to be careful it didn't 'fall off' sideways and scratch the bodywork, but if it's an alignment problem, that would certainly release it. If that doesn't work, the cable has probably gone. I haven't had to do this myself, but looking at the latch design I reckon it might be possible to get a wire hook through the gap between the wing and the bonnet, hook onto the 'gate' and pull it back to release the latch. I'd want to experiment with the bonnet up though before I tried it for real. Which might be kinda hard for you!

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[Psychobert]

Couple of hours later than I was supposed to leave and its all sorted.. Was a question of holding the lever and jiggling the bonnet at the same time..

Thanks chaps..

[Colin BlueS2]

As an side one of the M speciallist (Adrian Venn?) did/does hinges which are quick release to allow the bonnet to be removed for easier access.

Do you have any details of these, they sound like a good idea.