Bonnet not locked before driving off. Popped up on motorway.

[LucasSilver]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

you could go max power style and put some bonnet pins on i suppose

http://www.carmate.com/product_detai...d=UNIUNABPCMBP

or the old 60's rally leather straps

How do they work? Do you have a physical cable linked to them?

[stuart bowes]

no you just pull the pin out and and allows the bonnet to open. the upright bolt needs a hole drilled in the slam panel, and the tricky bit is working out where to put the holes in the bonnet. or drill the bonnet holes first then drill the slam panel holes with a long drill bit with the bonnet shut... I'm not sure what the best method is actually

they're generally used when people put on the lightened carbon or composite bonnets and they lose the option of the latch. also you can remove the locking mech and that's weight saving

but in all seriousness it probably isn't necessary.. if you're unsure it might be best just to get a garage to have a look at the latch and see why it failed?.. maybe it just needs cleaning and regreasing or the spring failed to work properly or something

[Georgeandkira]

The safety catch (as it is called in the US) on my '07 is fairly rusty and stiff.
I could easily see it jamming in the "uncatched" position.
After reading this I may just go out and lube it again (ha-ha).

Good luck with whatever course of action you end up taking repairing your car.
I'm all for some personal involvement. A little padded mallet work can be good for the soul.

A GREAT "First Car" story by the way. Glad there was no carnage.

edit: I agree with BlueRubber's post above. "If it was me and the damage to the bonnet and wings is only cosmetic I would ignore it...."

[stuart bowes]

Im trying to upload an image but my internet is having upload speed issues at the moment, typical..

essentially, when you open the bonnet you see the latch attached. The lever swings it left to right. as you're looking at it, without pressing the lever, it should be fully left and when you press the lever and then let go it should 'clunk' into place back fully to the left. right?

so basically the hook part connects to a piece under the slam panel hidden from your view and because it is sprung to the left it is latched and therefore mechanically impossible for it to let the bonnet open. also the big spring behind that latch not only pops the bonnet up but should also keep pressure on the latch and helps to stop it from moving when pressed up against the pin

without the picture this is probably just waffle lol

you want to make sure that the mech attached to the bonnet moves very freely and springs fully back when you 'ping' it if that makes sense. that's what I'd check first


or short version.. what Georgeandkira said

[reggit]

God that looks scary! Glad you got it stopped safely.

As others have said, the safety catch that you have to release with the sliding lever should have held it, that’s it’s purpose. Definitely check it’s operating properly and smoothly and lube up and work the main latch as well.

Unfortunately these cars don’t have a ‘bonnet open’ warning message.

[LucasSilver]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

Im trying to upload an image but my internet is having upload speed issues at the moment, typical..

essentially, when you open the bonnet you see the latch attached. The lever swings it left to right. as you're looking at it, without pressing the lever, it should be fully left and when you press the lever and then let go it should 'clunk' into place back fully to the left. right?

so basically the hook part connects to a piece under the slam panel hidden from your view and because it is sprung to the left it is latched and therefore mechanically impossible for it to let the bonnet open. also the big spring behind that latch not only pops the bonnet up but should also keep pressure on the latch and helps to stop it from moving when pressed up against the pin

without the picture this is probably just waffle lol

you want to make sure that the mech attached to the bonnet moves very freely and springs fully back when you 'ping' it if that makes sense. that's what I'd check first


or short version.. what Georgeandkira said

I'll have a look at it mate. On the other hand we're talking going at 70mph so that's a considerable amount of force. Just a thought 😊

[Bonefishblues]

The back-up lever is even hooked slightly so it should definitely hold the bonnet.

[wynnj]

Originally Posted by LucasSilver

I'll have a look at it mate. On the other hand we're talking going at 70mph so that's a considerable amount of force. Just a thought 😊

The car's good for 120+mph depending on model and the safety catch is there to cope with all speeds/situations. The most likely cause of failure is lack of maintenance to both the locks and the saftey catch. Sub zero temperatures could have contributed to the situation if water had got into the mechanisms and frozen, thus blocking the mechanisms from moving, but if they are all oiled regularly that shouldn't happen. They're Swedish!
Liberally spray all the locks and saftey catch with wd40 to ensure that all is moving freely then lubricate with a thin oil such as 3 in 1.
Well done for controlling the car and bringing it to a stop safely; the thought of the potential consequences for you and other drivers around you is quite horrifying.

[stuart bowes]

Originally Posted by LucasSilver

I'll have a look at it mate. On the other hand we're talking going at 70mph so that's a considerable amount of force. Just a thought 😊

it is but I agree with others that the catch should be more than strong enough, they test these things pretty rigorously. generally in engineering they employ a multiplication factor and test it to probably 10x what is necessary

I still prefer the 3xx series method of opening in the other direction

[LucasSilver]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

it is but I agree with others that the catch should be more than strong enough, they test these things pretty rigorously. generally in engineering they employ a multiplication factor and test it to probably 10x what is necessary

I still prefer the 3xx series method of opening in the other direction

Fair enough. It wouldn't have happened if I checked it was closed though. It pays to pay attention eh. I actually didn't know it should hold so that's another thing learned today