roo 0 Posted December 20, 2005 The bonnet release mechanism obviously works by pulling the two wire springs attached to the slam panel inwards to release the bullet shaped pins on the bonnet. This works fine on the passenger side spring as the release cable is pulling the spring in the right direction, i.e inwards away from the bonnet pin. If then the driverside spring is also connected to the release cable it will be pulled in the wrong direction. If anyone can explain how the driverside spring connects to the release cable i'd be mostly very happy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VR6 0 Posted December 20, 2005 Moving to Exterior. I know it's 'in' the engine bay but it's more to do with the bodywork... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
task 0 Posted December 20, 2005 dont know if this makes sense but I copied it from the bentley book, both springs should pull to the same side, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biggerbigben 0 Posted December 20, 2005 they are a nightmare.. still haven't managed to get mine to work yet! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roo 0 Posted December 20, 2005 Thanks for the pic task 8), looks like i'll have to try and turn the driverside spring around, although i'm not quite sure how as they only really fit one way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catch_twotwo 0 Posted December 20, 2005 I've got problems with mine and spend some time trying to fix it on Sunday.... still needs two people to open it though. Seems a common problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roo 0 Posted December 20, 2005 I've attached a few pics to try and make things a bit clearer, as you can see the release springs only really fit one way round, so how the flipping heck does the driverside one work?? :confused4: :confused4: :confused4: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H8RRA 0 Posted December 20, 2005 my take on it is........ you pull the cable, which releases the nearside pin (note, this one always pops first) - when released, the tension in the nearside release spring pulls the cable to release the offside spring. So, pulling the handle pops the nearside and the tension in this spring then pulls the cable back to release the offside ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! actually, thinking about it, i don't think this is right now???? :roll: :scratch: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roo 0 Posted December 20, 2005 H8RRA, yep i'd thought about this and came to the conclusion that it wouldn't work, as it would mean that the driverside spring would permanently be pulled inwards. Plus, I don't remember taking anymore clips of the release cable, except the clamp for the passenger side spring. If anyone fancies 'poppin' their hood' and having a look, in the interests of solving this little mystery i'd appreciate it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RW1 0 Posted December 20, 2005 This works fine on the passenger side spring as the release cable is pulling the spring in the right direction, i.e inwards away from the bonnet pin. If then the driverside spring is also connected to the release cable it will be pulled in the wrong direction. The cable release is quite fascinating! The passenger side is pulled by the inner wire. The Driver's side is pushed by the outer cable cover. The driver's side relies on the bend in the cable at the driver's side headlight being tightened (sharper radius) by the inner wire and the outer cable cover being fixed at the pull handle in the cabin. That slight change of bend radius and it being anchoured at the handle is enough to push the wire arm into the centre of the car and release the bonnet pin. This is why the driver's side doesn't pop when the outer cable cover anchor point at the handle has broken. So if the bonnet won't pop on the driver's side (common issue) and the anchor point is loose at the handle, the outer cable cover should be gripped and pushed forward while pulling the handle. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhatVR6 0 Posted December 20, 2005 how do they work? simple.....they don't.....shittest bonnet catch I have ever seen on my life. I'm going to VWMS bonnet pins when I get a carbon bonnet and binning all this crap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RW1 0 Posted December 21, 2005 Didn't say it was any good. Just fascinating....... :lol: . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H8RRA 0 Posted December 21, 2005 got to agree with phat - i had a cable snap and what a chew it was to get to the passenger side pin to release it - utter wnak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supercharged 2 Posted December 21, 2005 So whats the best form of preventative maintenence or should we just be replacing them before they go wrong? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roo 0 Posted December 23, 2005 Thanks for the replies chaps, i'll see how good it works when I re-fit it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
big_chris1981 0 Posted August 15, 2006 uber helpful! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites