ivan Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hi, long time no posting but I hope someone can advise please... This isn't the usual "can't open the bonnet" problem that my searching seems to turn up, rather the opposite. For the past few months I've had a problem shutting the bonnet (it opens just fine). The lever pulls back OK but then seems to stick a little, not allowing the cable to fully return, keeping the catches pulled. A few pulls and pushes on the lever seems to eventually settle things back OK. I found screwing the bonnet rubber stops in the front corners all the way down also helps - but it does mean the bonnet doesn't sit nice and flush anymore. I've been living with it so far but the other day had a bit of a scare in the M4 fast lane when the bonnet popped up at speed. Luckily it caught on the central lever but it certainly gave us a scare at the time and I had to cut across to the hard shoulder pretty darn quick! So, can I grease or oil the inner bowden cable to sort the problem or do I need to get the cable replaced? If I can oil the thing, how much of a job is it to release one end and raise it so the oil can flow? Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Blyth Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I've had exactly the same symptoms. On mine it was due to a spring inside the catch itself corroding then snapping. Without this spring, the catch won't hold itself in the locked position when the bonnet it pressed into it. If one side is broken and the other is still working, the bonnet will appear to be locked, but the release handle stays about halfway out. You can inspect the spring quite easily by removing the nut and the two bolts holding the catch in place. The spring is even available separately from Toyota. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thanks Andy. That sounds like it could be the problem as mine refuses to catch on one side and the release handle does exactly what you said. (It does eventually latch though so it could just be the catch needs attention.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_jekyll Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 x2 on the spring , ive had to change a few of them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 A bit of grease wouldn't hurt, i use the stuff you spray on as it gets in all the nooks and crannies, door hinges, door latches etc even on the brake lines over the rear axle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Well, that's that sorted. The springs were OK but the left-hand mechanism was very dry and gritty, causing the sticking. Everything's all clean, regreased and smooth as silk now. Thanks for the help guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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