Snapped bonnet release

[Tomtvr1]

Went to open the bonnet on the Chim, pulled leaver and nothing, just completely pulls out no resistance.
Any ideas how to get in ?
Looked in the bible and says it's rare !

[Steve_D]

Just had a look and it looks like you could probably just get at it with the car on a ramp. A piece of rod (thin rebar) with the end 3 or 4 inches bent at about 30 degrees. You will have to push the rod up through the exhaust branches from well forwards then twist the rod clockwise to try and push the latch (it moves towards the middle of the car).
Another possible access route would be removing the starter motor but still no direct line of attack.

Steve

ETA Bugger just looked where you live. Better keep my head down or it could end up with me doing the job.

Edited by Steve_D on Friday 17th September 16:58

[Tomtvr1]

Thanks Steve,
Need to find a friendly garage with a ramp🤯

[GreenV8S]

Get really clear pictures of the lock mechanism from another car, or use an endoscope to see what you're working with.

On the V8S it's possible to unbolt the latches from the footwell, although access is a nightmare. Perhaps you can figure out something similar on the Chimaera.

[RUSSELLM]

Is it the same as the Cerbera, with those crappy plastic things on the end of a rod ? When locking, they go towards the edge of the bonnet, in to an open grommet ?

[s p a c e m a n]

The bonnet catch is held to the bulkhead with two bolts and a load of washers spacing it out on mine, it would be entirely possible to force the bonnet open just by pulling on it with my hands. Little by little, just try to wiggle the catch up, stop if you hear cracking

Looking at photos of others it appears that mine may have been modified in the past as it is slotted rather than having bolt holes.

This thread and photos may help you get access

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by s p a c e m a n on Friday 17th September 19:54

[blaze_away]

I would expect it possible to bend stout wire to hook on the latch from top of the bonnet near the windscreen base.

I will give it a try on mine and report back tomorrow

[phazed]

I pushed the top edge of the bonnet towards the front of the car. Bonnet bends slightly and pin pulls out of housing.

Worked for me.

[blaze_away]

I tried but no joy, bonnet is to tight fit to get anything in there.

If its any use here is a picture.

[s p a c e m a n]

Ok, so if the cable is broken anyway you could try cutting the entire thing out from above the pedal box and then hit the latch mechanism with something through the hole. You just need to push the bit that the cable should be pulling on, long screwdriver along the red line

Edited by s p a c e m a n on Saturday 18th September 20:28

[Tomtvr1]

Thank you all for your suggestions , will try tomorrow, hopefully one will work, otherwise i think it's getting expensive 😅

[DaveG]

When you do finally get access, do as I did and fit a second cable running from the latch through to the passenger footwell and finish with a cable with a loop as a finger pull. I fitted some 15 yrs ago anticipating a possible problem with the latch/cable and then impossible to access! (just use a bycycle cable)

Edited by DaveG on Sunday 19th September 00:49