Scotland Director Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Ahhh, to all of my Triumph friends, Any ideas how to open the bonnet on my TR6, it’s not the usual snapped cable or issues with the lock assembly, they appear to be functioning and in any case there’s the “emergency” latch on the drivers side (RHD car). No, the issue I believe is with the bonnet striker assembly. Last time I was under the bonnet and noticed this mechanism wasn’t secure as the bolts were loose. So, I thought, good principle would be to tighten them up, before doing so I thought I’d aligned it up well, bit of paper on the lock assembly and oil on the striker assembly etc.. Net result, non opening bonnet and super pissed off owner going about kicking things. So, far I’ve had someone in the car rocking the release lever, then me putting weight (95kg) about the assembly (drivers side). Large screw driver either side moving the bonnet with The Boy in the car rocking the release lever, net result chipped wings. Passing a nylon cord into the bonnet and tugging the bonnet open, net result sore hands oh and me kicking more things ! Anyone got any ideas as I’ve reached the edge of my capabilities ! regards Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Headlights out and long extensions on tools to reach the lock......or loosen/ remove the hinges. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Drewmotty, Thanks for taking the time to reply to my dilemma, so far the only thing to ease my pain is a 12 year old Bowmore and I’m about to watch Le Mans. Is it actually possible to access the bonnet hinges from behind the headlights ? Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Hi Stephen, the headlights are outside the inner wings that the hinges are attached to. It has been known to cut a 3" hole immediately below the latch (above the pedals. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Oops......I’m too used to working on TR4s Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimcwestie Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Did a search of the forum and this might help Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dingle Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) Here is a tip from the colonies-https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c6dec53b10f25d4edf0b3f7/t/5d0193e9570e0800010c9b31/1560384490058/Bonnet+Cable.pdf Not sure how it would work on a RHD car. Berry Edited May 23, 2020 by dingle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Dear dingle, Thank you for taking the time to reply to me, I appreciate it. However unfortunately it’s NOT the cable that’s snapped, the latch is unlatching ok. The issue seems to be that of the striker being misaligned preventing the bonnet opening once the latch is released. hope someone can help ? Please ? regards Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dingle Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Stephen-maybe try pushing on the underside of the bonnet with a padded stick in the area of the latch while an accomplice operates the latch. Your problem seems more challenging than the usual broken cable. Good luck. Berry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham J Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 (edited) Ride on a bumpy road, while pulling regular or emergency release? car on a lift, remove starter and exhaust to give you some room? from underneath, can you reach the area with a long screwdriver and unscrew the springed "what you call it"?, or the assembly bolted to the firewall? Graham Edited May 23, 2020 by Graham J Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) If you've exhausted all the possibilities of freeing the plunger by putting force on the back of the bonnet with the catch open I'd look at removing the 8 bolts that hold on the grille then removing the grille to get at the 4 bolts that hold the lower part of the hinges to the body where its stretched to form a bowl for the headlights. You have to move the bonnet to get the plunger sideways out of the locking hole. Horrible job , removing the grille may be difficult as these days many of the original bolting patterns have been substituted. You should be able to access the grille bolts through the holes in the front skirt under the bumper bar. Anyway this is the area I'm talking about:. Edited May 24, 2020 by Mike C Added information. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul J Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 From underneath it maybe possible to release the two 1/4 unf bolts holding the catch to the bonnet. Not going to be easy. Best of luck Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 It is possible to gently raise the near side rear corner of the bonnet. Do this and then insert a length pf 2" x 1" wood and give the latch assembly a few good pushes whilst pulling the cable and pressing the bonnet down above the latch. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bfg Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Scotland Director said: the latch is unlatching ok. The issue seems to be that of the striker being misaligned preventing the bonnet opening once the latch is released. Perhaps the answer lies in levering (with wedges of wood not screwdrivers) to move / flex the bonnet sideways, forward or backwards, or whichever way diagonally ie., in the opposite direction to where the latch is binding. Most likely it will only need to move 1/8" to unlatch itself from the bracket and I suspect the hinges will flex that amount to achieve this Your nylon cord might otherwise be used to loop around the bonnet latch itself to pull ' flex it forward or diagonally sideways .. In either instance the object is to correctly position the latch centrally in the bulkhead bracket so that it unclips ..rather than trying to pull it up. Pete. Edited May 24, 2020 by Bfg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Stephen, If the striker plate bolts are loose then don't push down on the bonnet as this will just make matters worse, from the front of the bonnet try getting someone to push the bonnet rearward a few mm keeping it flat (towards the screen) to force to striker plate against the loose bolts then see if you can release by lifting or gently levering the bonnet up in the area of the catch. Good luck, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Maybe even try a desperate move like clamping the lock cable in the open position and driving down a potholed road on the chance the bonnet and lock might move enough relatively for the plunger spring to force the bonnet open. Desperate times and all that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harbottle Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 17 hours ago, Scotland Director said: Ahhh, to all of my Triumph friends, Any ideas how to open the bonnet on my TR6, it’s not the usual snapped cable or issues with the lock assembly, they appear to be functioning and in any case there’s the “emergency” latch on the drivers side (RHD car). No, the issue I believe is with the bonnet striker assembly. Last time I was under the bonnet and noticed this mechanism wasn’t secure as the bolts were loose. So, I thought, good principle would be to tighten them up, before doing so I thought I’d aligned it up well, bit of paper on the lock assembly and oil on the striker assembly etc.. Net result, non opening bonnet and super pissed off owner going about kicking things. So, far I’ve had someone in the car rocking the release lever, then me putting weight (95kg) about the assembly (drivers side). Large screw driver either side moving the bonnet with The Boy in the car rocking the release lever, net result chipped wings. Passing a nylon cord into the bonnet and tugging the bonnet open, net result sore hands oh and me kicking more things ! Anyone got any ideas as I’ve reached the edge of my capabilities ! regards Stephen Hi Stephen, all the above are good suggestions and worth the time to explore. Would advise some caution with what you push under the bonnet as a jolt from a battery cable will make your eyes water. I have a small 4/5" plastic bag I keep in the car which has a small bulb pump attached to it for easing under the bonnet near the bonnet latch from the windscreen side, the idea being less likely to damage paint etc when inflating to lift bonnet. i can't remember were I got it but if all else fails try looking on google for one. Good luck Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 3 hours ago, Andrew Smith said: Stephen, If the striker plate bolts are loose then don't push down on the bonnet as this will just make matters worse, from the front of the bonnet try getting someone to push the bonnet rearward a few mm keeping it flat (towards the screen) to force to striker plate against the loose bolts then see if you can release by lifting or gently levering the bonnet up in the area of the catch. Good luck, Andrew Andrew, Thank you for you good luck wishes, the striker bolts were loose, but I tightened them, I’m thinking this is the crux of the matter, perhaps it aligned itself previously and prevented this problem. BTW Nice car and beautiful scenery. regards Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Sounds to me that you may have got the arm from your secondary open device over the top on the bonnet release, that will stop both opening you could try pushing that upwards to bend the arm but no guarantee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 4 hours ago, Mike C said: Maybe even try a desperate move like clamping the lock cable in the open position and driving down a potholed road on the chance the bonnet and lock might move enough relatively for the plunger spring to force the bonnet open. Desperate times and all that. Dear Mike C., That is an excellent idea, sadly I have a battery isolator fitted and therefore the battery is currently disconnected, so I can’t even do that, which is tragic, so I think that could have been a great option, but sadly not possible. regards Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 2 hours ago, ntc said: Sounds to me that you may have got the arm from your secondary open device over the top on the bonnet release, that will stop both opening you could try pushing that upwards to bend the arm but no guarantee Dear NTC, Thats an interesting comment, I don’t understand your point, could you please kindly elaborate ? best regards Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 27 minutes ago, Scotland Director said: Dear NTC, Thats an interesting comment, I don’t understand your point, could you please kindly elaborate ? best regards Stephen Do you have the type that has a rod to pull down inside the car next to the battery tray? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 5 hours ago, ntc said: Do you have the type that has a rod to pull down inside the car next to the battery tray? Yes, exactly that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 On 5/23/2020 at 8:03 PM, jimcwestie said: Did a search of the forum and this might help Dear Jim, Thank you for taking the time to search and then send this to me, another member has also suggest that this could be the cause, I trying to understand exactly what happens and then obviously how I recover the situation. Anyway, it’s another avenue to explore next weekend, many thanks for that. Regards Stepehn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scotland Director Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 On 5/23/2020 at 8:37 PM, dingle said: Here is a tip from the colonies-https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c6dec53b10f25d4edf0b3f7/t/5d0193e9570e0800010c9b31/1560384490058/Bonnet+Cable.pdf Not sure how it would work on a RHD car. Berry Thank you from the Colonies , It’s not actually the cable that’s snapped, it’s something else, but thanks for trying to help me, appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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