MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - bonnet release

Hello everyone,

The bonnet release pull in my 1500 is getting harder to pull.... i'm worried one day the handle will come off and I won't be able to get in to open the bonnet.

I'm not sure if its the cable in its sheath, or the mechanism itself.

The whole thing looks quite hard to get at. Has anyone replaced this or suffer from this problem?

I am planning on having the engine out the change the gearbox in March... so perhaps it would be easier to tackle it then?

Thoughts appreciated.

Christian
C L Carter

Have you tried simply oiling the mechanism with an oil can through the cup that the bonnet pin latches in to? The latch, which is just a flat hooky thing that pivots when the cable is pulled, could just be gummed up. It is certainly easy to get at without the radiator in place.
Mike Howlett

beat me to it - lube first and see how that goes

but if you need to replace it's not a difficult job just fiddly with the rad grill and cable handle bracket

I could mention than lubbing the locks is mentioned as part of the servicing schedule in the Driver's Handbook

and of course I have
Nigel Atkins

I wonder if lubing the cable with oil or silicone is a good idea. These lubes attract and hold dirt and metal.
Graphite, as used to lube lock mechanisms may be better.
Phil Burke

If oiling does not work Europa spares used to sell bonnet release cables for around £5. Sussex classic cars sell them for £8.
A screwdriver through the grill is free.
BH Harvey

Phil,
you could well be right but as you pulling the cable and catch at least every week or two for under bonnet checks then oil or grease seems to do the trick especially if you scrape off the old before applying fresh and you do it as part of a regular service

normally too for the actual locks (except steering lock) you’re not suppose to oil but I don't think they're sophisticated enough to worry about
Nigel Atkins

Christiam as already said, it is likely to be the bonnet catch rather than the cable. I had exactly the same issue myself.

I removed the catch, cleaned and greased it. I put it back, and hey presto, no more hard to pull cable.
Lawrence Slater

Yep..

I removed the catch and the cable, cleaned and greased it all. Oh its beauftiful now! What a lovely thing to do if you get a spare two hours.

Thanks chaps!
C L Carter

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2012 and 30/01/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS now