Les Henson Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 This is the same for 90/10 petrol or diesel. Failure of the bonnet release either cable or mechanism is quite common - especially for those who regularly plunge through the mud. The cable gradually becomes stiffer, which makes it stretch when you have to pull harder to release the bonnet. Eventually the bonnet won't open, and you then need to remove the grille in order to get it open. It's important to make sure the cable is routed correctly in order for the cable to last and work properly. Tight turns or kinks will seriously affect this. Other than taking reasonable care, replacing the cable is fairly easy, and no special tools are required. The cable is layed as follows:- Grille is removed) The cable inner end is visible through a hole in the slam panel. 6mm pinch bolt from underneath. The cable outer sleeve is retained by a special clip - also on the slam panel. The cable then goes through the side of the inner wing through a grommet. Then behind the PAS reservoir and under the bracket for the header tank (there should be a plastic clip for holding the cable) Then through a grommet in the back of the footwell. Then to a small bracket that's spot welded in place. Using a 6mm socket - undo the pinch bolt and pull the inner cable out of the pin. The pin will drop out when the cable is removed. Using a screwdriver - push the outer sleeve clip off the edge of the hole in the slam panel and then remove it from the cable. The pin (on the right), and the clip. From inside the vehicle, cut the cable, then slot a 19 (or maybe 18)mm socket over the nut that retains the knob. Then clamp the socket with mole grips to undo the nut. Remove the remains of the old cable, then put the new knob in place (do not thread the cable through the footwell yet). Hand tighten the nut and then thread the socket on the outer cable all the way to the retaining nut, and then tighten it with mole grips in a similar fashion to removing the old one. Thread the new cable taking the same route as the old one. Make sure the knob is pushed in and then attach the outer sleeve clip - press it back in the same place as before on the slam panel. Make sure the bonnet catch itself is working ok, and the slide is in the closed position. Thread the inner cable through the pin - which should be captured in the release mechanism bar, and tighten the 6mm pinch bolt. It's not necessary to tighten the bolt as much as you dare - the bolt deforms the inner cable, and this is what stops it from being pulled out. To test the mechanism is working before slamming the bonnet - pull the bonnet release knob out and place a pair of mole grips (carefully) like this to prevent it from popping back in. The slide (or bar) should be out of sight, and if you can see a clean hole where the bonnet pin locates, then it's safe to close the bonnet and replace the front grille. If you only use your Land Rover on the road, then the bonnet mechanism can be lubricated with grease, or a thick oil, such as EP90. Vehicles used off road should use a thin oil as grease/thick oil will trap grit and soon cause problems. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 looks good, seems much as the same as discos too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROGUE TROOPER Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Les you need a new camera as that one is fuzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoDunc Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Does anyone know why Land Rover, an English company, sticks the bonnet release on my RHD Discovery and, looking Les's photos (good effort, but don't give up the day job! ), 110's too, down in the passengers footwell where I have to get out and go round the other side to be able to open the sodding bonnet? (Though given my recent display of competence when under the bonnet perhaps I shouldn't bother! ) I assume it's because they have a bigger market for LHD vehicles so the natives have to suffer, but if anyone can confirm or deny my cynical viewpoint I'd be grateful. Well, better informed, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nas90 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Does anyone know why Land Rover, an English company, sticks the bonnet release on my RHD Discovery and, looking Les's photos (good effort, but don't give up the day job! ), 110's too, down in the passengers footwell where I have to get out and go round the other side to be able to open the sodding bonnet? (Though given my recent display of competence when under the bonnet perhaps I shouldn't bother! )I assume it's because they have a bigger market for LHD vehicles so the natives have to suffer, but if anyone can confirm or deny my cynical viewpoint I'd be grateful. Well, better informed, anyway. Ha! T'is fine in a Nas90 just down by my right leg, only problem it's always a bu**er with the steering wheel in the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Les - someones been run over in that last photo! good article though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Does anyone know why Land Rover, an English company, sticks the bonnet release on my RHD Discovery and, looking Les's photos (good effort, but don't give up the day job! ), 110's too, down in the passengers footwell where I have to get out and go round the other side to be able to open the sodding bonnet? (Though given my recent display of competence when under the bonnet perhaps I shouldn't bother! )I assume it's because they have a bigger market for LHD vehicles so the natives have to suffer, but if anyone can confirm or deny my cynical viewpoint I'd be grateful. Well, better informed, anyway. in UK, the bonnet release is on the [rh] drivers side & just above your left leg & just inboard of the the clutch pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 in UK, the bonnet release is on the [rh] drivers side & just above your left leg & just inboard of the the clutch pedal. Unless you drive a Discovery in which case it's on the near side (passenger side) inner wing. No idea why they put it there. Ivan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Unless you drive a Discovery in which case it's on the near side (passenger side) inner wing. No idea why they put it there.Ivan Yep, probably & simply because most new Discovery owners will be moving from normal boring cars, so it makes it easy for them to find it, but I was refering to 90/110/Defenders though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Yep, probably & simply because most new Discovery owners will be moving from normal boring cars, so it makes it easy for them to find it, but I was refering to 90/110/Defenders though. meaning they wouldnt know what a bonnet release is anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 meaning they wouldnt know what a bonnet release is anyway no, meaning the would be familiar with the location as most cars have the bonnet release on the left side of the dash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 i still think the best practical joke played by a car company for years was the bonnet release handle on a zook. they hid it inside the glovebox - who'd ever think to look there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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