Bonnet Release

[jeff1954]

Hi My bonnet release cable has snapped, any tips on getting the bonnet open.

Thanks in advance.
Jeff

[J44EAG]

You may have to fire in via the plastic grill bars with a hacksaw, Jeff. An opportunity to replace the bars with a stainless steel mesh! Alternatively, there are plenty of second hand grills around on ebay for around £25. Breaking and entering is probably your best and least destructive solution. then you can attempt to manually teek the catches to release the bonnet.

Mike

[Montana5]

Hopefully its the second catch (nearside) which is not protected the same as the offside and is reachable by a hooked wire or rod through the grill method, if you know where to go, also saves butchering the grill.
The primary cable catch (offside) is shielded behind a metal plate to deter thieves etc, therefore you may have to go in through the grill by cutting it to gain access, I have heard of some people who gained access by removing the panel under the Bumper, though undoing the bolts on the protective cover is a long and laborious task. One other good tip is to have another S Type alongside whilst you do the job, this helps you see where to fish for.
Reminds me I should remove the protective cover some day.

Doug.

[jeff1954]

Thanks for the reply's, I managed to do it yesterday by removing the plastic panel beneath the bumper and another shield for the intercooler. Then with a very long screw driver popped the N/S catch then with some difficulty undid one torque bolt from the tamper proof cover over the O/S catch and working through the grill pulled the tamper proof cover forward so I could get to the catch with the said screwdriver again from underneath without doing any damage.

The tamper proof cover will now go in the skip and I will source a new cable x 2 Fortunately the under bumper cover came off easily as I have had it off before and used copper grease on all the bolts when re fitting.

Jeff

[J44EAG]

Well done. A nasty job when it comes to getting covers off and wishing you had an arm shaped like a two inch ferret on a six inch stick. The general lack of space can make matters quite a task. How i cussed when I had to replace a heater valve on an S-type!

Glad to gear you are now sorted, Jeff.

Mike

[jeff1954]

Thanks Mike The next thing I need to do is is source the cables Iv'e tried Nev at North East Jag spares and ebay without any luck. I rang David Manners on Saturday but could'nt get through so I will try again tomorrow. Other than that it will be the main dealers.

Jeff

[oldtimer]

Hi Jeff,
I trust you have located a new cable OK.

Can you tell us where the release cable broke and have you any idea why. I'm thinking is there anything I can do to avoid the situation that you have.

Oldtimer

[jeff1954]

Sorry about the delay oldtimer. I have got new cables now from David Manners but I will not be doing the job for a few days It looked like the end of the main cable at the release catch had just broke off. I have always lubricated the cables/catches when servicing so I have put it down to ware and tear.

The one thing I would recommend to all SType owners is to remove the tamper proof surround/box so if your cable does snap you can save yourself a lot of time (and money if you don't do your own repairs)

Jeff