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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Bonnet release cable issues!

Hi all,
The T-handle on my bonnet release ( 1275 Mk III Midget) has broken. The bonnet IS openable with the remainder of the T- handle but I would prefer to replace the cable with a new one.
I've read it can be a pig of a job- am I being too naïve to think I can just run a new cable down the " sheath" thing and connect it up?
Advice ( and any hints ) would be really good.
Cheers colin
colin frowen

I would replace both as the outer is likely to be rusty inside and not pull smoothly etc.

I think it would be best to remove the grille but other than that and a bit of crampted work in the footwell I can't see it would be difficult - sat here in the warm !

Good that you can still access the bonnet - a friend had a Jag with a seized cable and it took me ages to figure out a way to open it/free it off without destroying the grille as the garage suggested !
richard b

It's not difficult even I've done it.

Worse bit will probably be piss-poorly made parts, first choke cable I put on last year was terrible, free replacement was better but still catches and isn't smooth.

Grille off for sure, getting the two outer top grille fixings back on is hard for me so I have the help of a glamorous assistant.

The inner cable goes through a very small hole in the panel at the side of the grille which I didn't know was there because my cable didn't follow that route.

Check your run of cable and see if you need to replace or install any grommets or p-clips before ordering parts.

Take the opportunity to clean the catch latch, pin, plate and bowl and re-lubricate.
Nigel Atkins

As Nigel says it's not a bad job really, a little bit fiddly.
Suggest you lubricate the inner cable before you install it.
When fitting it avoid sharp radii e.g. when clamping it to bodywork.
Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs :>
Jeremy MkIII

I have always feared the cable breaking so have fitted a short secondary safety cable which ends under the front LH wheel arch. If it breaks with the bonnet closed you'll have a problem...
David Cox

David

That's something I've been meaning to do.
Dave O'Neill 2

I looped a short cable tie through the release arm of the catch, and it hangs down behind the grill. It's black so it is hard to detect but I can fish it out through the grill with a bit of bent wire and a sharp pull on it releases the bonnet. I have never had to use it in anger so it is clearly doing its job in preventing the proper cable from failing.
GuyW

I did mine on my 1500 yesterday. I used a small mirror to see what was going on. I thought the worst part woul be getting the small clamp/pinch bolt undone - it looked like it was rusted up. I painted a bit of plus gas on it, left it & went for a cup of tea. Went back to it tried a 1/4" socket for size & it actually came undone by using the socket between thumb & foefinger. Put the new one in. A very quick job. What I thought was going to be horendous turned out to be one of the easiest jobs I've done on it.
Nigel Axtell

This thread was discussed between 30/10/2019 and 11/11/2019

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