X300 Bonnet Locks

[marcusgoody]

My X300 bonnet is only releasing on the Drivers side!
Any one have a trick for releasing the n/s catch please?
I'm sure its not a broken cable - probably just 'stretched' enough to not actually release the catch.

[marcusgoody]

In fact the cable has come undone! Short of cutting away at the inner wing - what can I do to release the catch?!!!

[PeterDavisX300]

Hi Marcus

I haven't had this problem with my car, but managed to sort a mates X300, because I could look at mine and see how to gain entry, it took about an hour of fiddly work!

So I've put a few pics up, the screwdriver I bent to shape, it would have been better if it had been a thinner slightly longer one. You can see the angle it has to be, and the end points in a line from the nearside window washer. The small 'button' that the screwdriver presses, moves fairly easy, and if the cable is broken then it will still activate the catch. It still needs a firm push, and you'll still need to shove it under the plasticcover, which was the very tricky bit. You'll need an assistant to lift the off-side of the bonnet, and probably best to be another person with a mechanical bent that can feel how far to force the bonnet without permanently damaging it! The last pic shows the angle of the screwdriver, and length against my size 9 slipper. Good Luck! Let us know how you get on.

[PeterDavisX300]

Hi Again

Last Pic.

[PeterDavisX300]

Marcus

OK, I went back outside with a couple of tape measures to give more precise directions. Both measures were bearing down on that 'button', and I closed the bonnet to let you see the measures to the button from the edge of the bonnet. Hope that's a bit more helpful.

[PeterDavisX300]

The Eight inch measuring tape goes directly over the edge of the chassis number in the windscreen, the 15 inch measurement goes right oveer the top of the nearside window washer.

Peter

[marcusgoody]

I ended up 'carving' a double skinned area of the inner wing
and finally released the 'latch' with a thin bent flat screwdriver!
This was before I saw your Post but thanks for the info.[pic=][/pic]
Think I cut more inner wing than I needed to but Hey Ho!
Adecent hole-saw might have helked but I only had a grinderette with cutting disc fitted.
Cheers.
Roger Goodman
Cable had in fact snapped and when I tried unclipping it to route it
so the end would reach the nipple it broke again!!
Have ordered a pair of new cables.
Suggest any one with an XJ40 or X300 check theirs very carefully (as it's not a job to tackle lightly).

[PeterDavisX300]

Sorry I didn't see it earlier. You're a brave man doing the cutting job. I was looking at my cables and they look good, but I shall be frigging something up with a coat-hanger and a hooked end to pull on the catch in the event of your problem. I had a similar problem with a Cosworth Ford, and once sorted, I rigged-up an emergency pull wire hidden behind the grill. One always learnes the hard way!

Good luck

Peter

[PeterDavisX300]

Hi to all that are interested.

With the above in mind, and noticing that my offside cable has one strand frayed away even though both cables were replaced for new about five years ago, I decided to put a couple of 'back-up' releases into place. Using 1.6mm CCMS Gas Welding Rod, it took about half an hour to put these releases in place. I've tried them out, and can 'Just', release one side at a time using a hooked thick wire coat hanger. It would only be a tempory measure, because the CCMS will only release the catches a few times. It's best to push slighly down on the side the catch is trying to get released. Please see the pics below. I think it would be horrible to have to start cutting holes in wings to release a bonnet. The cables are also prone to 'slipping' within the cable track under the holding bolt.

The first and second pic are of the nearside, the third pic is of the offside, with the next pic the same finished offside.

Hope this helps someone.

Peter

[PeterDavisX300]

Final Pic offside.

[marcusgoody]

Looks fine - but once the cable has actually broken you are in the deep stuff!
Only way to release then is to cut holes in the outer panel behind the wheel arch plastic trim
and then the 'box' section then the Inner wing panel.
If you can't weld a plate back afterwards the plastic trim under the bonnet hides the hole from MoT testers!!

[marcusgoody]

Sorry! I got that wrong!!
Yes this will work!
Humble Apologies.

[PeterDavisX300]

Hi Marcus

It certainly does work! I can release both of my bonnet catches with the bonnet fully shut down. I heated a medium blade screwdriver till 'cherry-red', and bashed it flat, folded back like a hook, and quenched in oil. I can wiggle down to catch my homemade release, and press slightly on the bonnet above the spring, then a wee tug and it releases the catch.

Peter