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

Welcome to the forum dbereskin.

The technique is to slip your fingers under the edge the bonnet, in the gap between the bonnet and the mudguard. You then press down with your palm but at the same time squeeze towards your palm with your fingers. Then, as you say, you lift outwards when it releases. Always open the rear catch first and the front catch last, and reverse the order when closing. The squeeze technique make it relatively easy once you get used to it so if you are still having difficulties get a dealer or an experienced Morgan owner to have a look at it for you. It is always possible a previous owner has "adjusted" something which makes it too hard.

The bonnet catches on my 4/4 were always extremely stiff, more so when the bonnets were replaced. The catches on my Roadster need very little pressure and can be pulled down with one finger!

Have to say that learning to open the bonnet catches is a "knack" that took time.

They seem to be "firm", as others have said a combined inward and downward push works, always starting with the rear and with fingers round the bottom edge of the bonnet, although I can do do it with one finger under the finger grip.

It is hard to explain.

Mine are firm but not hard (!)...

I am having this problem with one front catch on a 2009 +4, the has resulted in the front catch knob snapping off, any idea how to open the bonnet with a snapped off knob?

Can you open the other side and reach through and lift the catch manually?

K

You may also be able to unbolt the front bracket from the inner wing.

Hi,

If push comes to shove.. Protect wings, take the front wheel off, take the couple of nuts holding the receiver catch in place and gently lift bonnet.

On my car the Whitworth nuts on the bonnet catch must be fitted with the “flats” parallel to the sliding catch otherwise very awkward opening.

Hope this helps.

Plenty of insulation tape around a flat bladed screwdriver, insert in gap above busted knob & carefully lever / slide down

Thanks for the suggestions, I managed to remove the bracket from the inner wing simply by putting on full left lock. Having dissembled the offending catch it seems that the resistance which made it impossible to open was simply a build up of dirt and grease. Cleaned up and re lubricated with teflon grease, it is now working perfectly, now to clean and lubricate the other three.