Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Bonnet Catches

Has anyone else had problems opening their bonnet catches?

On my Roadster 3 of the catches are impossible to open. And I do mean " impossible". Both myself and my father ( who has plenty of experience with vintage cars as well as strong hands) struggled to get the bonnet catches open yesterday. We could not do it and they are impossibly stiff. I asked my dealer to look at them during the 1000 mile service. Obviously they got the bonnet open but said that the catches were a new design and could not be changed. There must be something that can be done because at the moment I don' t think the catches are fit for purpose

Hi David, I would say that there is a knack to opening the bonnet catches. When I was been shown around the car, my dealer
opened the bonnet easily, quickly and without effort.
When I had a go, I could not do it. I still I have to think about what I am doing when I open use the catches to open the bonnet.
Best to open the forward bonnet catch first, then the rear.
To open the bonnet catch, fingers under the bonnet gap, palm of hand on catch knob, and with a downward squeezing motion the catch knob should move down. When the catch knob moves down move whilst still gripping, your hand backwards out and front of the bonnet should be free. Do the same for the rear catch. After years of practice you should be able to do both at the same time! I am not there yet. Once open give a quick lube to make it easier. Good luck.

Here is a photo I took in the factory, Mike. It's the best I can find at the moment but you can just about see the catches. They look the same as others I have seen to my eyes. If I can get the bonnet open I will take an interior shot -



Wirewheel, this was the method my dealer showed me as well and I have tried but the catch just won't go down and feels impossibly stiff and tight. There could be a knack as you say so I will have another go later

Just to say that my Roadster catches are difficult. Depress the slider knob with right hand and pull the bonnet towards you with left hand is my method.

Good Luck

Externally, the bits look the same as have been fitted for many years; internals might be different though.

As you try to open, try pushing both in and down. There definitely is a knack, I can open most Morgan bonnets fine, but I owned Woodstock for nearly 30 years.

Should not be a case with new bits on a new car, but the catches do occasionally need a bit of oil or grease (spray grease for motor cycle chains is good stuff).

Mine are fine now but I have had problems just like yours. Even at 'The Factory' they could only one open. They brought it back from the workshop totally sorted, along with a couple of other bits. Yes, there's a bit of a knack but there are exceptions so I would get it fettled.

I was always told and still do, open the back latch first as this is on the largest part of the bonnet and releases the presure on the front latch. I hope this helps.

David

Perhaps the "knobs" are screwed on too tightly and this is "distorting" the part that slides up and down in the track on the back? Just a thought?

Perhaps next time it is open a bit of 3 in 1 or grease on the back?

On my current Morgan the bonnet the catches are desperate, unless I am at full strength, focussed for life or death, wearing gloves to prevent serious tissue damage there is no chance. I too attended the course of training but frankly unless you have farmers hands it will always result in tears. Surely the springs will weaken over time, but will I live that long.

I use Wirewheels method, fingers underneath and the base of the thumb presses down. No outward lift. Possibly slight downward pressure will help disengagement. I was also told to take the rear off first.