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MG MGB Technical - Boot Jammed!

Has anyone had their boot jam shut on an mgb roadster? If so any tips on getting it open? Mine stuck today on a charity run from London to Southend - the lock is undone - but it won't budge. The only way I can see of getting in is through the rear cockpit panel - but that is fixed by little rivets. I did think something in the boot might have slipped back and interfered with the mechanism - so have tried braking sharply to get it to move forward, but with no luck. I'll have to get in fairly urgently - my lunch and flask, which I sadly never got to eat, are trapped!!
Paul Dunt

Yep, try getting someone to push down sharply on the side of the boot lid while you heave upwards on the catch, you may have to try both sides before it works. I have found this happens when something too tall is in the boot, as the lid closes it distorts slightly and jams the catch.
The Wiz

BTW, behind that riveted panel is a solid sheet of metal - no way in there.
The Wiz

Wiz - many thanks - I'll try that first thing in the morning - and thanks for advice about the panel.
Paul Dunt

I remember someone posting that you may get it open by pushing in with your knee right under where the latch is.
Dana Wilson

That's my method, Dana.

TheMiz

If nothing else works DO NOT cut through bulkhead or do any cutting anywhere before trying this: With padded pliers, turn boot knob/lock counter clockwise just enough to expose the little teardrop at the bottom of where knob/lock was. Drill a small hole (1/8" or so) in the teardrop and then just push the bit in to release the mechanism. This pushes on the lever in there just the same as the button is supposed to but fails to do sometimes, due to whatever... often a loose piece on the back of the button. This also works on a lockout/no key situation.
Rick

Yes...pushing down on the lock and at the same time applying the knee to the panel beneath the latch where the bracket the latch holds to is mounted. Pushing down on the lock relieves pressure on latch and pushing in with the knee moves the bracket forward just enough to get a release.
J.T. Bamford

Hi

I had this problem. I read in the archive a trick that worked for me. It sounds drastic, but I had no marks and no damage... Reverse up close to a wall and use a bottle jack to gently push in the rear of the car just above the number plate below the boot in line with the lock. Mine wasn't working because the striker plate was glancing past the latch. The latch is moved inwardly by the jack and - in my case - just enough to let the stricker plate engage it.

Don't close the boot again until you fix it or are inside. I fixed mine by hammering out the bend in the striker plate so it was effectively longer and then angling it downwards so its end was at the right height - this takes some fiddling which is where getting in the boot first helps (have a friend outside)


Darren
D Lewis

As an aside, I rarely lock my boot as I found that rotating the escutcheon clockwise (the seal is shot) moves the plunger to a point where it will not engage the latch... fakeolocked. No one hereabouts is clued in anyway so it works well.

I LIKE Rick's suggestion... must file in memory banks!

Mike!
mike!

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2004 and 27/07/2004

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.