Bonnet release WAS f****d,so hears a mod for it!

[Corvr6 0]

I had the cooling fan replaced on my VR6 yesterday.I was told it was a real b***h by the mechanic to sort. :|

Now as I went to open the bonnet today,(not actually the 1st time since the work)the release handle suddenly went all loose and only the passenger side of the bonnet sort of released. :(

I have managed to remove the front grille (which shows evidence of a previous struggle(before the cooling fan work)) :x

and can get my fingers round the outer shrouding of the release cable but pulling at it only seems to be bending it(I guess it is like a metal hollow tube that carries the cable),its also very hot at the mo :mad: ,hence the post for help.I realise the mechanics may have something to do with cause but how do I get the drivers side of the bonnet released to find the problem :?: :?

Any help would be appreciated :)

EDIT

Skip to the end for mod. :wink:

[corradovr6sc 0]

I had a similar problem. The cable is held tight by a nut inside a bell-shaped clamp. If the nut hasn't been tightened enough the cable will slip and there will be insufficient tension to pull the bonnet stays open. Think I pulled at the cable and got someoneelse to pull the bonnet upwards or you could try this from the CorradoClub USA website:

 

How to open a stuck hood without removing the grill

 

Lay down directly under the front of the hood and look up. You'll need a long screwdriver or a stiff thin rod. The cable mechanism connects to a metal rod with an L-shape bend where it engages the bullet-shaped latch on the hood. Look up and towards the inside of the fender to find it. It's a goldish cad-plated rod. What you're trying to do is to get your screwdriver behind that rod and pull out, away from the fender, and it will disengage from the hood latch. It won't damage anything and is easy to do in a pinch.

[Corvr6 0]

Additional info:

On further inspection it looks to me like a criclip has broken on the release handle.

It doesn't look like its a replaceable item,does this mean a complete new cable? :(

I guess the lack of oppsing tension is why only one bonnet catch is releasing.

I have just read your post corradovr6sc,whilst I'm writing this,thanks.

If I can apply enough tension like the circlip was doing I should be able to get the other catch open...we'll see!

[corradovr6sc 0]

No it is replaceable. I bought a few because I kept breaking them. Is it the clip off the release hand with two barbs on it? When this happened to me I took the handle off so the cable was free and pulled on it hard with some pliers whilst someone pulled upwards on the bonnet.

[Corvr6 0]

Yes it is that circlip :!:

Is it a VW part :?:

I will try the same method,cheers m8 :D

[corradovr6sc 0]

Yes you can get it from vw. Think you have to pull the cable through the hole in the firewall to put the new clip on. Just have to make sure there is enough tension in the cable to pull both bonnet releases back- worth checking that they move sufficiently and the cable feels nice and springy before you shut the bonnet. Also check that the brass nut in the bell-shaped clamp is tight enough to prevent the cable from slipping. Good luck!

[Corvr6 0]

After tugging followed by swearing and more tugging I have managed to open the bonnet. :D

I can't believe VW have used such a flimsy circlip to cope with the huge tension in the two bonnet release springs :shock: ,didn't think I'd hear myself say it but its totally underengineered :cry:

If as it looks to get another circlip on its means rethreading the inner cable,then I will think about designing my own bracket that just slips over the cable.Watch this space. 8)

There also seems to be some metal tubing(looks like old brake piping) running between the two release springs,this has more bends in it than Snetterton :) ,think this may be the reason I'm not getting enough tension on the drivers side spring.(could this be enderengineered part 2). :mad:.

I suppose the rest of the car being excellently enginneered just about evens things out. :wink:

[Corvr6 0]

I've done it,made my own bracket and it dosn't mean rethreading the cable through the circlip,and works well for a first attempt. :D

 

EDIT

(Reworded for better clarification)

 

There should be an xl attachment with this post showing a crude but self explanitory right angled bracket.

 

I say self expanitory but unless you have had a circlip go it won't mean squat to ya.

 

Basically the bracket consists of a 2mm right angled alloy/steel the same dimensions as the plate the circlip attaches to, then a horizontal slot is cut in one side for the cable to slide into, a 4mm hole is drilled through the other edge of the bracket and plate and they are held together with a nut and bolt.Part of the broken circlip was still attached to the cable this actually helps I think so leave it.

You can pm me if anyone needs more details. 8)

 

END EDIT