Morris Mini Mk 1 BONNET CATCH ADJUSTMENT

[ERNGOR]

Hello

I have great difficulty opening the bonnet on my mini. The opening lever just does not want to move to release the bonnet, All parts are new following the restoration. If I use a open jaw spanner over the lever for extra leverage I can pop it open.

Where does my problem lie- I may add I do not have much strength in my fingers to push across the lever.

Thanks Gordon

[Polarsilver]

Gordon, can appreciate your issues as i have same on various occasions .. i would make sure the lower slider part is free to slide without the light spring in position & check this area is not full of crap or installed wrong .. maybe a stray headlight wire & bullet connector is getting in the way of the release lever .. then look to the vertical pin "pointy bit"..is it aligned into the latch socket ?.. look for where it latches any burrs or tell tail signs of its not quite right when it latches .. is the adjustment onto the vertical Pin a bit too tight when it latches .. i get the bonnet catch working then start off setting the shut adjustment so i can pull open the bonnet catch without using the release lever .. telling me the lock is in an almost catch but not quite situation ..then start to adjust the vertical pin adjustment so it becomes a positive catch & the release lever works as intended .. there is nothing magical about the mk1 Bonnet Catch unless you have fitted an aftermarket front panel or Bonnet ? ..let us know the solution.

[olddave]

I generally give the front of the bonnet a thump when pulling the catch. I've done it for years and can't break the habit

[ERNGOR]

Thanks Polarsilver and Old Dave.

I have stripped out the lock mechanism which was nice and clean but have give the slider a grease up on reassembly. Hope it has gone back in the correct order. Bonnet pin is in good order so will set about adjusting the pin as recommended so as to enable an easy open without a lever. Will let you know how I get on. Tried pressing down on the bonnet when using the catch but no help.
Possible bonnet pin adjusted too tight?

[ERNGOR]

All sorted folks thanks for advice.

[LarryLebel]

I have an internal bonnet release on my Traveller. It takes a hard pull to release the bonnet and I fear the release wire will break. It helps to first push down on the bonnet and releases easily if someone is pushing down on the bonnet. I have the pin set so there is a widish gap between the lip of the bonnet and slam panel. I need to check the release mechanism for interference or maybe cut a coil or 2 out of the spring. Installing the internal bonnet release lets me use a grill without a bonnet release hole which looks much cleaner to me.

[Peter Laidler]

This was a timely request from Erngor, about getting the bonnet catch release into a good, reliable working order. Failure can be fairly catastrophic and VERY costly.

Might I also suggest that anyone who's doing the same job - or every sensible forumer - checks and oils his bonnet release catch and safety catch this weekend and gives the bonnet a good tug to see that it remains secure.

My friend Dave Chaplin from Newbury had a bit of a temperamental bonnet catch on his Cooper a few years ago, That was temperamental until he was tramping up the A34 North when the main usually stiff catch let go followed by the safety catch. Suddenly his whole world turned Island Blue. Massive damage to scuttle panel, bonnet, hinges, gutter and smashed screen

A good 5 minute check plus a bit of oil, using the advice given in this timely thread

[Ronnie]

This is what happens > https://www.autoevolution.com/news/rall ... tml#agal_2