240 bonnet catch bust!

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Pharmanaut - 13 Feb 2005 21:03 GMT

Looks like the catch on my 240 has given up the ghost. The cable pull moves
back and forth but nothing happens. I've tried having someone lean on the
bonnet while I try and pull to no avail. Does anyone know how to get in
there without doing too much damage?

Pharm..

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James Sweet - 14 Feb 2005 00:18 GMT

> Looks like the catch on my 240 has given up the ghost. The cable pull moves
> back and forth but nothing happens. I've tried having someone lean on the
> bonnet while I try and pull to no avail. Does anyone know how to get in
> there without doing too much damage?
>
> Pharm..

Probably needs oiling, get down under the car and you can access the catch
from behind the front bumper, lots of room in there.

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Stewart Hargrave - 14 Feb 2005 02:59 GMT

>Looks like the catch on my 240 has given up the ghost. The cable pull moves
>back and forth but nothing happens. I've tried having someone lean on the
>bonnet while I try and pull to no avail. Does anyone know how to get in
>there without doing too much damage?

If the cable has broken, you will need to open the bonnet to fit a new
one. It's possible to carefully prise off the front grill, and access
the catch from underneath.

The grill is held by two quarter-turn clips at the top, and two lugs
that simply slot into the bodywork at the bottom.

Using something that won't damage the plastic (a strip of wood, for
example) carefully prise at the bottom of the grill, flexing the
plastic, untill the two lugs are eased out of their slots. Gently pull
the bottom of the grill forward, and reach under it till you can grasp
the underside of the quarter-turn clips. Turn them a quarter turn
(clockwise from underneath - pliers or grips may help), and push them
up, out of their holes. The grill can now be removed. You should be
able to see the catch mechanism, and lever the appropriate part to
release the catch.

With the bonnet open you can fit a new cable.

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James Sweet - 14 Feb 2005 03:51 GMT

> >Looks like the catch on my 240 has given up the ghost. The cable pull moves
> >back and forth but nothing happens. I've tried having someone lean on the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> With the bonnet open you can fit a new cable.

Even if the cable has broken you can still work the latch from under the car
with a screwdriver, much easier than popping the grill out and no chance of
breaking off the fragile plastic posts. Of course if the car is parked in
mud this is not so appealing.

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Robert Lutwak - 14 Feb 2005 11:48 GMT

After you break off the fragile plastic posts on the bottom of the grill,
you can easily replace them with a couple of machine screws. I sanded the
spots smooth, tapped the plastic and screwed right into the plastic from the
backside. Worked for years.

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-----

-RL

>> >Looks like the catch on my 240 has given up the ghost. The cable pull
> moves
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> breaking off the fragile plastic posts. Of course if the car is parked in
> mud this is not so appealing.

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