Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Broken hood rail release handle

OK, so we know the rear rail on the 'easy' up hood is a tricky question, and recurrent. You'd hope that someone is designing something better but I guess that's a vague hope and really doesn't help my 2004 car.

So - the problem. My hood release handle (I think it's a Ford Fiesta part - not sure what age) has broken and I need a new one.

First of all does anyone know what part it is exactly? My local dealer at Allon White is getting me a price but maybe a second hand part would be better and certainly cheaper.

Second, and more importantly, how easy is it to change the handle and cable? I've seen threads that describe releasing the jammed catches by taking off the rear wheel and pulling the cable, then liberally coating everything with motorcycle lubricants or other similar products, but little about taking out the cable itself.

It seems to me that it would be easier to do this with the drivers seat out of the car but surely it shouldn't be that difficult. Yes, I do know it's a Morgan I'm talking about so common sense and easy repairs may not be how the design has evolved ('may' is used metaphorically here!)

Is there anyone who can shed any light on this for me? The main problem seems to me to be the 90 degree angle bend the cable runs through. Has anyone tried to replace this with, for example, a small marine type stainless pulley? To me this seems the obvious choice for this type of angle that we need to turn a cable around?

If it's just me then I'll post pictures of anything I do

Hope to hear from you gurus of the spanner soon.

You don't need to remove the seat. If you take off the broken handle, there should be some detail moulded into the plastic, and hopefully a part number. With the spare wheel out of the way you will see the cables. They are quite loose fitted and it's obvious how to dismantle if that is necessary.
Slide the seat forward and you should get decent access.

Thanks Dave,

What about the pulley idea - is it worth going a bit deeper to give a better pull with less friction and wear?

I had the same problem. The local Morgan service garage (Bråthen Bil) replaced the wire and modified the release mechanism with longer lever arms (using Archimede's Principle). It now releases with little effort.

Harald

I would have to refresh my memory by looking under to see how the cable comes round the corner. If there's an outer cable at that point it will be more difficult to modify.

Didn't someone once identify the handle as a bonnet release from some car?

I think that was maybe the rear locations being the same as a Land Rover bonnet catch.

When I got the Roadster last year the Hood Release mechanism was very very tight and quite difficult to operate without excessive force.

Worried that I might break the plastic lever I greased the protruding springs and also gradually untightened the springs using the slotted screw adjuster under the springs to help reduce the tension.

This has done the trick!

And all is now well!

A tad off topic ...but hope this helps when u have your new part fitted!!

Once repaired ,if you press the hood down with your free hand, prior to operating the release lever, you will find that the load required on the lever is far less.

Bud,

Good technique..I was shown this by Phil Ledgerwood when I collected my new 4/4 and have used it eversince