Hi Guys,

HELP PLEASE! I've done a stupid it seems. After having my bonnet slam panel off to change the air-con condenser it would appear that I've obviously not aligned it properly on refitting and now I can't open the bonnet. This is the only possible reason I can think of anyway!

The O/S catch is stuck tight shut but the N/S does release to the secondary position and no the cable is not broken (not yet anyway!!).

Please can someone PM me a miracle method that I don't know of. I've tried all the usual methods with someone else working the handle and me bouncing, shaking and desperately trying to pop the bonnet open etc.
Even if I smashed out my new grill I don't know that it would help because I think the catches are shrouded.

Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis

Could you remove the arch liner pal would you be able to reach up and try manualy work the catch by hand or screwdriver

Hi Johnsd1v8.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've read that people have tried this method on the near side but I'm not sure I could undo the radiator expansion tank from beneath on the offside to allow access upwards, I will try though.
Cheers,
Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis

Had a similar problem when I changed my bonnet, didn't line the catches up properly and shut it prematurely. One catch was released but not the other. I just gave it a hefty pull with a slight wiggly riight where the catch was and it popped it. I used bits of card over the holes to align it after that. (Massive panic moment though)

Word to the wise:

Mark the position of your slam panel before removal! .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Thanks for that Freddie. I'm glad it's not just me.
With hindsight you are right with the cause of the problem.....she's not long been painted & I know the bodyshop had the bonnet off to make it easier for them!??!
Looking at the alignment, the bonnet it is slightly too far to the driver's side & of course I lined up all the marks where the bolts should be.
I tried your technique again today but no luck! N/S side is loose O/S stuck tight!! If I'm not very careful I'm going to wreck my bonnet!!
So it's back to up through the wheel arch liner etc. etc.
Cheers,
Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis

happened to me when I put a new front end on

get someone to pull the bonnet release lever and keep it in the pulled position while you push hard at the front of the bonnet where the catch thats stuck is.

it worked for me

good luck

Oops forgot to add I had someone holding up the release catch... try and and don't be shy with the pulling, get your fingers as near to the catch as possible.

Thanks for your input Guys.
I've been doing just that whilst no.2 son pulls the handle, but I'm concerned that I'm going to bend the bonnet.
I'll try a bit more vigorously tomorrow because I don't know that going up through is going to work.
I've finally got the wheel off ("Swollen Nut" syndrome that spun in place - had to cut all 4 caps off in situ!), took the arch liner out and have undone the Rad Expansion Tank but I'm working on the drive & it got dark. I imagine it's near on impossible to see where I am trying to get in daylight so I've called it a night. I'll try again tomorrow if your method still does not work.
Cheers,
Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis

The bonnet needs to be shifted to the left/right. Can someone pull the lever while you push on the side of the bonnet to try and shift it over enough to release? 

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the suggestion but to be fair this is one of the methods I've been trying. Trouble is that because the N/S catch is released when you pull the handle, it means that the bonnet is trying to buckle when you push/pull from that side. The O/S is so tight on the slam panel that it is just not moving.....this is my dilemma.
I'm hoping to be able to tweak the bonnet sideways in the mechanism from underneath, but I'm not doing any more outside in the liquid sunshine today.....I need to dry out!
Cheers,

Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis

With someone pulling the release cable and yourself pressing down hard where the catch is try repeatedly banging the bonnet hard with you fist directly above the catch, you never know.

Hi Nicedayforit,

Thanks for your suggestion but unfortunately no. We have tried this method many times with three of us on the bonnet (one either side & one in the front) and one pulling the handle but no joy....!

This is the view upwards from in the wheel arch:




So not that accessible!!
The orange thing is the expansion tank loosened off and moved back as far possible, the black thing beneath the main beam bulb access cover is my torch and the tiny, recessed round thing above the red arrows is the bottom of the bonnet side of the latch.

I had made some tools which I had hoped would help release the conical part of the latch. This worked to a degree and was compressing the spring and allowing some movement, but the catch still would not release!
So I am now attempting to chisel the catch apart which I hope will work, or at least allow me to see/attack the rest of the mechanism....!??!

This job makes changing the clutch in a classic Mini with the engine in place seem easy!!

Cheers,
Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis

Can you get a socket (Alan key) on it to undo it ? Although they have a locking nut I think it should still turn if you can get on it ?

Got the !!!




That's the best view ever!?!

I removed the radiator from behind the bumper in the front of the wheel arch which allowed a bit more room:





There are 2x 13mm headed bolts that face rearwards (position marked by green arrows) that when removed allow this rad to lift out and drop under the car out the way.
Yes Freddie you can just get a 4mm allen key tool into the bonnet latch bolt......this was my combination:




yes it does undo.....eventually with much struggling and shredded forearms!!





Yes the latch bolt is still stuck in the body of the catch but this is about to be fixed on the bench.......!!

The new catch - top view:


and bottom view:



Yes I will be changing both sides and yes I am going to replace the cables just to be sure!!

Thanks for all your suggestions Chaps, it's good to have the support when you are really struggling.
Cheers,
Ken 55 S/C L322 Zambesi Silver.....GONE!!
56 S/C L322 Java Black......surviving at present...just!
04 N/A 4.2 V8 S Type Jag
1961 reg 3.5 V8 Bowler Tomcat.....Sold
Numerous Classic (rusty!?!) Minis