Exterior 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: How to open the Bonnet if cable fails

  1. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #5 Norm03s, Sep 30, 2012
    Okay, for the next person that has this happen. In Nathans picture you see the blue sleeve on the cable attached to the latch, drivers side has a white sleeve at the same location. All you need to do, is use a long shank screw driver and push the lever where the sleeve is attached forward to release the latch.
    I am guessing road grit had gummed it up so it wasn't releasing, both cables were in place, cleaned and lubed with PB Blaster works great now.
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #8 Crashton, Sep 30, 2012
    I always keep those things clean & lubed. I also put a couple of zip ties on each one to keep them in place. So far so good. :fingerscrossed:
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Sep 29, 2012
    Remove the right wheel, then the inner finder liner, and release the catch manually.

    The latch looks like this.

    [​IMG]

    Source - MINI2
     
  4. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #7 Norm03s, Sep 30, 2012
    Yes Steve, that is correct. Try the easiest one first, if that one doesn't do it try the other.
     
  5. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #13 BlimeyCabrio, Oct 1, 2012
    I've been fortunate enough not to have this problem in 6 years and 122k miles... but now I'm paranoid. :crazy:
     
  6. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #3 Norm03s, Sep 29, 2012
    Thanks Nathan!
    And I'll tie wrap that sucker too.
     
  7. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #4 Norm03s, Sep 29, 2012
    Looks real simple with the bonnet up but the head light is in the way. :mad5:
    Why out of the clear blue does this crap happen???
     
  8. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #6 Steve, Sep 30, 2012
    Looks like the latches are independent so you need to do this on both sides; remove two front wheels, remove both wheel liners, etc. Is that right?
     
  9. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #9 Dave.0, Sep 30, 2012
    That's some food advice for us with older cars. I am going to add this of my things to check.:Thumbsup:

    Thanks
     
  10. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    #10 BlimeyCabrio, Oct 1, 2012
    Me too
     
  11. SooperCooperInfo

    SooperCooperInfo Member

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    #11 SooperCooperInfo, Oct 1, 2012
    I have since day one kept them clean and lubed. Thanks for the heads up on the tie wraps--great idea. Just went out in the garage and secured the cables.
     
  12. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #12 BThayer23, Oct 1, 2012
    It doesn't take much to dislodge the cable ends - mine escaped after a vigorous engine bay cleaning.
     
  13. BThayer23

    BThayer23 Well-Known Member

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    #14 BThayer23, Oct 1, 2012
    It's actually easy to remedy, especially compared to other cars. Just pull the wheel well liner and stick your longest screw driver in there. Most other cars have a lot more sheet metal isolating the engine from the wheel wells.
     
  14. Crashton

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    #15 Crashton, Oct 1, 2012
    The R56 looks like a bear to get to. Clean & lubed. :fingerscrossed:

    I is now paranoid too..... :crazy:
     
  15. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #16 Norm03s, Aug 25, 2014
    And I wanted to do something else today.
     
  16. Norm03s

    Norm03s New Member

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    #17 Norm03s, Aug 25, 2014
    All better now.
    Add this to Spring things to do to MINI.