Broken bonnet release cable

walker99 · 1st September 2019, 19:00

HELP
Had MGZT for 12 years now and managed most things, usually following help from here. Today cannot open bonnet. I have accessed joint box in driver wheel arch, and managed to release offside but nearside cable had snapped and complete inner slid out of outer. Can anybody tell me how to release catch without getting brutally rough?

Thanks
Stuart

Simondi · 1st September 2019, 19:35

You have a pm

Rich in Vancouver · 5th September 2019, 04:09

On my car a previous owner had the same issue.
One catch released and the other did not.
He used a Sawzall (don't recall what you brits call them) with a long metal cutting blade and cut the pin off.
There was a bit of collateral damage to the slam panel and minor scarring to the edge of the bonnet, but he did get it open!

MissMoppet · 5th September 2019, 08:27

Reminds me of an occasion some years ago when touring in Ireland when I was driving a friend's car and managed to shut the keys in the car. A slight crack was left in one window but we couldn't catch the release button with a bent coat hanger borrowed from a nearby shop. A young urchin was watching with some curiousity and after our failures offered to help. Within a couple of minutes he had the door open: tempted to think he was the local car thief . . .

LightBlue · 14th February 2020, 15:15

I have exactly the same problem (plus faulty windscreen washer). I have ordered a new set of cables, but how do I get the bonnet open when the nearside catch cannot be released.

stocktake · 14th February 2020, 15:55

We have had to do this at a nano meet last year. Wedge open the side that has released with a block of wood or similar and protect the bonnet where the pin that will not release is positioned with masking tape or similar. Through the narrow gap carefully saw through the stuck pin with a senior hacksaw blade. When open replace the pin and remove the lock assy and cable by removing the slam panel.

1st September 2019, 19:00	#1
walker99 Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Aboyne Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Broken bonnet release cable HELP Had MGZT for 12 years now and managed most things, usually following help from here. Today cannot open bonnet. I have accessed joint box in driver wheel arch, and managed to release offside but nearside cable had snapped and complete inner slid out of outer. Can anybody tell me how to release catch without getting brutally rough? Thanks Stuart

1st September 2019, 19:35	#2
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	You have a pm __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

5th September 2019, 04:09	#3
Rich in Vancouver Gets stuck in MG ZT-T Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: White Rock, BC on Canada's Pacific Coast Posts: 849 Thanks: 338 Thanked 367 Times in 210 Posts	On my car a previous owner had the same issue. One catch released and the other did not. He used a Sawzall (don't recall what you brits call them) with a long metal cutting blade and cut the pin off. There was a bit of collateral damage to the slam panel and minor scarring to the edge of the bonnet, but he did get it open! __________________ ZT-T190, Anthracite, LHD, Left the Line on June 24, 2002, Sold new in Switzerland, spent time in Germany, Imported to Canada in September 2021

5th September 2019, 08:27	#4
MissMoppet Posted a thing or two R 75 Tourer diesel Conny 2002, V6 Conny saloon petrol 2003 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Taunton Posts: 1,129 Thanks: 212 Thanked 406 Times in 223 Posts	Reminds me of an occasion some years ago when touring in Ireland when I was driving a friend's car and managed to shut the keys in the car. A slight crack was left in one window but we couldn't catch the release button with a bent coat hanger borrowed from a nearby shop. A young urchin was watching with some curiousity and after our failures offered to help. Within a couple of minutes he had the door open: tempted to think he was the local car thief . . . __________________ Rover 75 Tourer Conny 2002 remapped 160 auto, R75 V6 2.5L auto Connoisseur 2003

14th February 2020, 15:55	#6
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,590 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	We have had to do this at a nano meet last year. Wedge open the side that has released with a block of wood or similar and protect the bonnet where the pin that will not release is positioned with masking tape or similar. Through the narrow gap carefully saw through the stuck pin with a senior hacksaw blade. When open replace the pin and remove the lock assy and cable by removing the slam panel. __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident

14th February 2020, 15:15	#5
LightBlue Newbie Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N E Hampshire Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I have exactly the same problem (plus faulty windscreen washer). I have ordered a new set of cables, but how do I get the bonnet open when the nearside catch cannot be released.