S1 Stuck Front Bonnet

[kayj_prod]

Bother. In replacing my front bonnet I must have got something aligned incorrectly and now the release won't pop.

 

I've tried getting my neighbour to apply pressure above the catch while I pulled on the release, but no good. Any tips?

[Elise+Imp]

try wobbling it side to side and applying downward pressure while someone pulls the release.

[HABC]

try wobbling it side to side and applying downward pressure while someone pulls the release.

 

Had the same problem with mine and above is correct, keep jiggling until it pops up.....

[kayj_prod]

<br />Had the same problem with mine and above is correct, keep jiggling until it pops up.....<img src="http://cache.mloc.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif" /><br />

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I've been jiggling like a deranged person for an hour or so and though I've got it to pop up a little, I can't get it to shift anymore. I'm not one for swearing, but ******** ****** ******** thing! The 'gate' feels fully pulled across. Maybe the shoulder behind the tip is caught on the fixing point itself. I've tried a bit of pressure forwards and backwards using an Allen key to push/pull against the spring, but of course this doesn't apply any pressure against the shaft itself.

 

I can't think how else to get at anything useful. Grrrrr.

[Elise+Imp]

have you managed to get this sorted?

 

I just stumbelled across this link on SELOC which mentions taking the arch liner out for access to the catch.

[kayj_prod]

Nope, still not got it sorted, so the link is really useful. Unfortunately my wheel nut key IS under the bonnet so I will struggle to get the liner out, but I might see how much I can pull it about. If I can just get my arm in far enough...

I'll investigate removing the pin if I can get a tool in-between the bottom edge of the screen and the edge of the bonnet.

[niallf]

I did this on my S1 many years ago, I ended up taking it to Brooke Kensington for them to sort out. It was a major pain, but they did get it done.

 

A tip from someone else when re-fitting/aligning the bonnet was to have someone else hold the catch open while gently testing for the alignment of the catch. Only let the catch go when the bonnet pushes up and down without fouling. Also make sure the catch has complete movement and that the cable hasn't stretched or slipped.

 

Bit too late for that now, but good luck!

[kayj_prod]

Well, good news: it has only taken a couple of hours today but I now have an operational bonnet.

 

I found by jacking the car up on the off side I could get enough of the wheel arch liner away to get my hand in to grab the wheel nut key. Then of course I could get the wheel off and the liner out. I struggled for rather too long squeezing my arm through the tiny space to get to the catch and confirmed the gate was well clear of the shaft and that indeed it was the shaft fouling on the edge of the plate.

 

I tried everything I could think of to move the tip of the shaft, but there was just no way to exert any force against it. In the end I investigated the rear boot lid to see about moving the large hex 'nut' as seen in the link Brian posted. I found it just acts as a lock nut, and after loosening it, the shaft can be unscrewed.

 

It was still awkward under there -this is no job if you have Popeye arms- but in five minutes I had the bonnet up. I loosened off the bracket from the clam to the bonnet, held back the catch gate with a zip tie and double checked my alignment before tightening everything up and greasing the catch for good measure.

 

It has been a total PITA and I shan't be making this hasty mistake again!

 

Thanks for your help everyone.