Check your latches!

ryszard · 11th March 2022, 22:14

Hi,have had the front end off my ZT to overcome the latches not releasing my bonnet.After taking the slam panel off I took the latch assemblies apart.Amazed how much crud even rusty flakes off inside the metal casing there was.After cleang it all out noticed especially on the longer right cable that attaches to the latch half of the cable strands had snapped.Had a spare latch so looked at that and found a couple also worn,seems the stress as they enter the drum at an angle with rust weakens them.So,i advise people to check them when possible,doesn't take long but will avert snapped cables and stuck bonnets.Regards Ryszard..

Arctic · 12th March 2022, 01:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryszard

Hi,have had the front end off my ZT to overcome the latches not releasing my bonnet.After taking the slam panel off I took the latch assemblies apart.Amazed how much crud even rusty flakes off inside the metal casing there was.After cleang it all out noticed especially on the longer right cable that attaches to the latch half of the cable strands had snapped.Had a spare latch so looked at that and found a couple also worn,seems the stress as they enter the drum at an angle with rust weakens them.So,i advise people to check them when possible,doesn't take long but will avert snapped cables and stuck bonnets.Regards Ryszard..

Hi Ryszard.
I took apart a couple of spare latches i had and cleaned de-greased them etc, so i could fit them to the car right away after removing the slam panel.

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Always make sure the half moon is clean it does not need grease on it as that will only attract dirt and grime, grease inside only.

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I also did the spring strikers.

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Note they are flat on the leading edge, that is if the cable was ever to break i can get a 10mm spanner on the plate bolts.

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sprayed and thread greased up.

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Fitted to the car

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Adjust the two 8mm bolts so the release is smooth.

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RogerHeinz57 · 12th March 2022, 04:37

Over the years, I have dealt with many of these related issues. Replaced cables and as mentioned above - a good clean and light coating to keep them operating with ease. I also rcognised that having the latches tightened up tight limits their operation, I would not advocate them being left loose, but they dont need to be tight-tight either. Also a bent out of shape slam panel can cause many bonnet release issues too !

11th March 2022, 22:14	#1
ryszard Gets stuck in Moonstone diesel,X351 Jaguar and now MG ZT 260 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Northampton Posts: 682 Thanks: 288 Thanked 118 Times in 96 Posts	Check your latches! Hi,have had the front end off my ZT to overcome the latches not releasing my bonnet.After taking the slam panel off I took the latch assemblies apart.Amazed how much crud even rusty flakes off inside the metal casing there was.After cleang it all out noticed especially on the longer right cable that attaches to the latch half of the cable strands had snapped.Had a spare latch so looked at that and found a couple also worn,seems the stress as they enter the drum at an angle with rust weakens them.So,i advise people to check them when possible,doesn't take long but will avert snapped cables and stuck bonnets.Regards Ryszard..

12th March 2022, 04:37	#3
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	Over the years, I have dealt with many of these related issues. Replaced cables and as mentioned above - a good clean and light coating to keep them operating with ease. I also rcognised that having the latches tightened up tight limits their operation, I would not advocate them being left loose, but they dont need to be tight-tight either. Also a bent out of shape slam panel can cause many bonnet release issues too !