Bonnet catches- can they be refurbed??

smudge.g · 12th February 2020, 13:19

i have noticed over the last year or so that my bonnet catches are becoming more problematic when trying to close the bonnet. The little half moons inside disappear and dont re-appear unless i tap the area with a small hammer a few times. I'm guessing the insides are gummed up but can they be cleaned/refurbed as I would like the bonnet to close first attempt, especially with our current weather!! thanks for reading.

KeithA · 12th February 2020, 13:29

I had the same on my previous 75, turned out to be an adjustment required.

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T-Cut · 12th February 2020, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudge.g

The little half moons inside disappear and dont re-appear unless i tap the area with a small hammer a few times.

I believe they can be removed from under the slam panel (which has to be removed from the car), so you can get at them properly. What you describe is usually due to a of lack of lubrication and mounting bolts that are too tight. Try slackening the bolts on the slam panel by half a turn and see if things are any better. Follow that with a spray with penetrating/maintenance fluid, it could work wonders.

TC

suzublu · 12th February 2020, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cut

I believe they can be removed from under the slam panel (which has to be removed from the car), so you can get at them properly. What you describe is usually due to a of lack of lubrication and mounting bolts that are too tight. Try slackening the bolts on the slam panel by half a turn and see if things are any better. Follow that with a spray with penetrating/maintenance fluid, it could work wonders.

TC

Slacken the slam panel bolts off a tad

smudge.g · 12th February 2020, 14:13

many thanks guys, will give that a go. have sprayed in plenty plusgas but it has made no difference!

suzublu · 12th February 2020, 14:31

And when you've done that, have someone pull the handle whilst you lubricate the half moon catches.

Also, if you look under the slam panel , just next to the catches, you may see a bit of foam between the radiator and panel, pull this out a bit and spray the cables.

BTW, looking at your car profile, it states it was born in 2003 and the paint code is JEL? Just to let you know, it'll more than likely be JBH, Mine's the same info using the data site.

trikey · 12th February 2020, 14:40

The latches can be stripped down and cleaned then regreased, and if you have access to a cable oiler (most of us old bikers do) time to put it into good use and oil the cables overnight while you are on.

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smudge.g · 12th February 2020, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

BTW, looking at your car profile, it states it was born in 2003 and the paint code is JEL? Just to let you know, it'll more than likely be JBH, Mine's the same info using the data site.

Yes, definately JBH, have already sprayed and replaced a wing in that colour!!

The Mighty Quinn · 12th February 2020, 17:57

Yeah, the bonnet catches can be cleaned and re-greased (white lithium grease for metal-to-metal contact parts, I believe).

The new MG bonnet catches are not as good as the OEM versions and don't seem to have threads in the metal section for the bolt holes (must have been secured with clips on the Chinese ones

).

If you take the front bumper and headlights off, there's no need to remove the slam panel, but you will need to take off the bonnet sensor switch to get the passenger side latch out through the grill opening in the slam panel. Not much room and it's a bit of a faff, but if I can manage it..

Probably no harm to clean down and repaint the metal sections before greasing etc., if you have the time.

There was no apparent wear to the catches on my 04 car when I removed them; and having replaced the bonnet cables and greasing everything up - it's back to a nice solid action.

Just check the the plastic ends of the bonnet cables haven't broken, where they sit in the latches.

Good luck,
Karl.

rrobson · 12th February 2020, 18:14

I did this on my zs (which has the same catches), they were quite rusty. To do it properly you need to:

-remove both catches
-strip and de-grease
-ideally grit blast the steel components (if no access to grit blaster then attack with a rotary wire wheel and various sanding pads / emery cloth)
-repaint metal components with a smooth drying paint
-reassemble and apply a thin grease on all moving parts. If you use thicker grease like bearing grease it gunks up the moving parts and because the spring isn't very strong they stick in the open position

They have a plastic cam mechanism in the catches and it gets bound up on the rust and corrosion on the casing. Also be careful not to snap the little clips off the plastic casing cover. And finally apply some oil to the cable to stop it sticking. The zs ones were so bad they needed replacing, I think one was broken too so lucky the catch was stuck open!

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12th February 2020, 13:19	#1
smudge.g Gets stuck in 75 Tourer CDTi Connie SE Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Keith, Banffshire Posts: 686 Thanks: 431 Thanked 132 Times in 105 Posts	Bonnet catches- can they be refurbed?? i have noticed over the last year or so that my bonnet catches are becoming more problematic when trying to close the bonnet. The little half moons inside disappear and dont re-appear unless i tap the area with a small hammer a few times. I'm guessing the insides are gummed up but can they be cleaned/refurbed as I would like the bonnet to close first attempt, especially with our current weather!! thanks for reading. __________________ My 75 Tourer CDTi was born Saturday, 21st June 2003 @ 09:50 My 75 was the 18,749th 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 It was the 195th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 2,074 and the 1,789th 75 Tourer in Wedgewood Blue Metallic (code: JEL) to be made out of 1,871 Wedgewood Blue Metallic 75 Tourers

12th February 2020, 13:29	#2
KeithA Loves to post Rover 75 Conny Tourer Auto Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Essex Posts: 347 Thanks: 75 Thanked 94 Times in 71 Posts	I had the same on my previous 75, turned out to be an adjustment required. Sent from my Redmi Note 7 Pro using Tapatalk __________________ 2003 Tourer, Connoisseur Auto

12th February 2020, 14:13	#5
smudge.g Gets stuck in 75 Tourer CDTi Connie SE Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Keith, Banffshire Posts: 686 Thanks: 431 Thanked 132 Times in 105 Posts	many thanks guys, will give that a go. have sprayed in plenty plusgas but it has made no difference! __________________ My 75 Tourer CDTi was born Saturday, 21st June 2003 @ 09:50 My 75 was the 18,749th 75 Tourer to run off the production line, out of 27,407 It was the 195th 75 Tourer CDT Connoisseur SE (135) to be made out of 2,074 and the 1,789th 75 Tourer in Wedgewood Blue Metallic (code: JEL) to be made out of 1,871 Wedgewood Blue Metallic 75 Tourers

12th February 2020, 14:31	#6
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	And when you've done that, have someone pull the handle whilst you lubricate the half moon catches. Also, if you look under the slam panel , just next to the catches, you may see a bit of foam between the radiator and panel, pull this out a bit and spray the cables. BTW, looking at your car profile, it states it was born in 2003 and the paint code is JEL? Just to let you know, it'll more than likely be JBH, Mine's the same info using the data site. Last edited by suzublu; 12th February 2020 at 14:33..

12th February 2020, 14:40	#7
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,763 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	The latches can be stripped down and cleaned then regreased, and if you have access to a cable oiler (most of us old bikers do) time to put it into good use and oil the cables overnight while you are on. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Lest we forget..

12th February 2020, 17:57	#9
The Mighty Quinn Posted a thing or two 2004 mk1 Rover 75 1.8T Club SE saloon (auto) Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Enniskillen Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 670 Thanked 254 Times in 222 Posts	Yeah, the bonnet catches can be cleaned and re-greased (white lithium grease for metal-to-metal contact parts, I believe). The new MG bonnet catches are not as good as the OEM versions and don't seem to have threads in the metal section for the bolt holes (must have been secured with clips on the Chinese ones ). If you take the front bumper and headlights off, there's no need to remove the slam panel, but you will need to take off the bonnet sensor switch to get the passenger side latch out through the grill opening in the slam panel. Not much room and it's a bit of a faff, but if I can manage it.. Probably no harm to clean down and repaint the metal sections before greasing etc., if you have the time. There was no apparent wear to the catches on my 04 car when I removed them; and having replaced the bonnet cables and greasing everything up - it's back to a nice solid action. Just check the the plastic ends of the bonnet cables haven't broken, where they sit in the latches. Good luck, Karl.

12th February 2020, 18:14	#10
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,643 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	I did this on my zs (which has the same catches), they were quite rusty. To do it properly you need to: -remove both catches -strip and de-grease -ideally grit blast the steel components (if no access to grit blaster then attack with a rotary wire wheel and various sanding pads / emery cloth) -repaint metal components with a smooth drying paint -reassemble and apply a thin grease on all moving parts. If you use thicker grease like bearing grease it gunks up the moving parts and because the spring isn't very strong they stick in the open position They have a plastic cam mechanism in the catches and it gets bound up on the rust and corrosion on the casing. Also be careful not to snap the little clips off the plastic casing cover. And finally apply some oil to the cable to stop it sticking. The zs ones were so bad they needed replacing, I think one was broken too so lucky the catch was stuck open! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available