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MG MGA - Stuck Bonnet

How do you get a stuck bonnet open? The 1960 1600 rdstr is a brand new restoration and I do not want to destroy anything if I can aviod it. Any suggestion are welcome.
Bob Figenskau

Bob,

In order to focus on the problem, it would help if you could clarify what you mean by "stuck". Questions that come to mind:
- Is the hood latch operating, or can it be seen or heard to move by pulling the handle?
- Where is the latch mechanism disconnected, if at all?
- Is it just the hood itself that is stuck in it enclosure in the sheet metal because of size or adjustment?

The more details you can provide, the better the help..

Karl
Karl

Bob,
I learned my lesson about 5 years ago. I though I had the latch adjusted, but it got stuck. Always leave the grill off until you are sure the latch is adjusted.

It took a lot of trying, but I was able to push a steel rod through the grill slats and push on the bottom of the latch pin. This page shows the latch pin. http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29239

What happens is that the tapered end of the pin will go trough the guide, even if it is slightly miss aligned. I guess the pin bends just a little, and then straightens when it gets through the guide. By shoving something through the grill and pushing or pulling on the bottom of the pin, you can probably get it free. Mine was adjusted too far forward, so when I finally was able to push backward on the bottom of the pin, it just popped right open.

Good Luck,

Jeff


Jeff Schultz

Have a flat round washer welded( at an angle app 60 degrees) to the end of a piece of metal rod. Weld it so the edge of the washer is attached to the rod and the hole of the washer is not blocked. us this rod/washer by passing it thru the grill slats and attempting th catch the tip of the hood pin (point) in the center hole of the washer. Use this extra leverage to move the hood pin and relase the hood. For saftey, you colud wrap the rod in electrical tape so as not to damage the grill slats. gordon
Gordon Harrison

Gordon,
Thats a great tip about the washer. I was able to get mine open with just a rod, but a washer welded on the end would have made it a whole lot easier.

Jeff
Jeff Schultz

Yes I've been here too. If the bonnnet is shut too hard on mine, the pin just gets stuck down to another level. Turned out my pin needed a pull. A length of 1/8" (3mm) steel rod was made into a hook to fit that, that PIN!!! A quick tug on it through the grill and the bonnet popped up to it's normal closed position. From here the normal release works fine of course.
Pete
Pete Tipping

Bob

The MGCC MGA Technical Manual gives the same advice as Jeff, with the additional point of having a helper pull and hold the bonnet release latch while you thump/tap the pin. Actually the author uses the words: "...rap the end of the wood rather hard with a hammer".

I think I would start with tap first!!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Another method I've used is to drive the car (not very fast and keeping safety in mind) over some bumps with the latch pulled and held with a vise grip. The bonnet will often bump itself loose.

You must be very careful with this method, but it works.

--Carl
Carl Heideman

When I reinstalled my bonnet after the last engine change, I managed to get it misaligned slightly and it stuck. I found that by pushing in on the release instead of pulling, the latch sprung into alignment and could be opened. At the very least it is worth a try.
Del Rawlins

I had the same problem with my ZA (very similar latch)
With a helper pulling the handle some spirited shaking and pulling and swearing sprung it loose.
Seems all it needed was some lubrication, so now everyone...go out to the garage and grease your latches!

Cheers,
Rich
Rich McKIe

The mechaism works, but hood (bonnet) doesn't open. Thanks for the ideas so far, I'll try them all until something works.
Bob Figenskau

Gordon Harrison's trick with the washer welded to a rod worked like a charm. Thanx to all for your help.
Cheers Fig
Bob Figenskau

The rod and washer trick was also printed in NAMGAR's "MGA!" a few year back. Picture was included.
Bullwinkle

One of our club members (westlancsmg.co.uk) has adapted his twin-cam so that you can pop the grille off from underneath just case the bonnet release jams - he has also drilled a strategic hole in the boot floor (filled with a rubber grommitt) so that he can release the mechanism there if that jams - must get the details from him and his photo for Serge's archive - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

The strategic hole in the boot floor is here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/body/bd101.htm

For emergency bonnet release, run a bit of steel cable through a hole in the inner fender and put a loop end behind the left side headlamp housing.
Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney
Cam Cunningham

This thread was discussed between 04/12/2006 and 16/12/2006

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