Bonnet catch removal?

[Bashy]

Hi folks...

One of the bonnet catches will not lock, its the one on the Near Side (passenger) and has the switch in it.

Looking in the Haynes manual, its says i have to remove the headlight, indicator and bonnet slam panel, thats a lot of work, is that the only way please?

Edit: says i have to remove the bumper to take out the headlight, thats a lot more work lol

[Georgeandkira]

I'm told bumper removal is not that difficult. I too am faced with that job in order to CHANGE A SIDE MARKER LIGHT.
I'm not looking forward to it but I won't let it ruin my day. Stupid design.

Whatever your particulars are I suggest fixing your bonnet latch(es?) before they fail in the closed position. Easier to fix when you're able to open the bonnet.

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

I'm told bumper removal is not that difficult. I too am faced with that job in order to CHANGE A SIDE MARKER LIGHT.
I'm not looking forward to it but I won't let it ruin my day. Stupid design.

Whatever your particulars are I suggest fixing your bonnet latch(es?) before they fail in the closed position. Easier to fix when you're able to open the bonnet.

Its just the N/S and its stuck in the open position and will explain why my alarm is not activating, not sure why the ultrawave sensor isnt setting off the alarm though, prob another issue to resolve....

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by Georgeandkira

I'm told bumper removal is not that difficult. I too am faced with that job in order to CHANGE A SIDE MARKER LIGHT.

In the UK you do not need to remove the bumper to replace the side marker light, it can be done from within the the headlight unit by removing the large black cover at the rear of the dipped beam light and withdrawing the 5W lamp holder from the back of the reflector - if your's is a later model that has bi-xenon dipped beams, the 5W lamp is carried in a separate holder located on the outer edge of the dipped beam reflector beside the indicator housing.

[oragex]

No need to undo the headlights, but I think you need to remove the front grid then undo the bolts of the front cross member. Adjusting the new latch will also be important so leave the front grid out https://youtu.be/HwOv6AIqxHY

[Georgeandkira]

ASt85: My headlight has a separate, long tanged bulb holder at the headlight unit's trailing edge.
I tried most carefully to unscrew (1/4 turn) the holder and broke the flimsy tang clean off.

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by oragex

No need to undo the headlights, but I think you need to remove the front grid then undo the bolts of the front cross member. Adjusting the new latch will also be important so leave the front grid out https://youtu.be/HwOv6AIqxHY

Much appreciated thanks, out of interest, what grease do mechanics use on the catches, is it copper, i know the waterproof grease i have would be no good as it congeals at too cold a temp, prob below 5C

[Bashy]

Turns out that its not a straightforward job, you cannot remove the crossmember without removing the bumper and headlights, tried for about 2hrs today, i had all the crossmember bolts and clips out and removed the grill, whilst you can get to the bolts on the lock, theres no way of getting the lock out as its bolted from the front and the lock is behind the panel its bolted to, hope that makes sense.

IN the end i put it all back together (hopefully lol) and managed to get the wire connector undone and just shorted the wires and alarm is now arming, wahoo, sadly no lock for the bonnet on that side, gonna need a rethink cause even the bumper is riveted to the wheel arch liner by the looks of things :/

[ASt85]

Have you tried adjusting the transfer pull from the off-side lock to the nearside connector?

[oilit]

i removed mine last weekend - the bumper isn't riveted its just the pop through pin on the plastic poppers, and two bolts underneath. then pull the cover off, you also need to be careful of the black plastic clips from the headlights that overlap the cross member.

I have the cross member if you want pictures of the catches.