Bonnet release cable

Snapped on me last night! How much of a job is it to replace it. Looks OK until it disappears under the wing. Will I need to remove grill/radiator to make the connection to the catch?

On my 2003 TD5 it's just a case of removing the 4 bolts under the edges of the slam panel and then the panel itself, easy job....
Mike.

OOpps, grill first.........

You do not need to remove anything, I did mine on my 1997 300TDI Defender a few weeks ago within 15 minutes

1. Attach a strong string to the end old cable or cable housing from the latch end, use electrical tape to help secure it.
2. Disconnect the locking nut from the cable pull handle bracket inside the landy.
3. Push the bulkhead grommet through INTO the inside.
4. Pull the cable out carefully without detaching the pull string
5. Attaching the end on the new cable to the sting from inside the landy, use tape and do not fray the cable end.
6. From the hole in the wing where the cable comes though, pull the string slowly though until the cable comes out and reattach the locking nut and pinch bolt as it was before.
7. Spray some silicone or use soapy water on the grommet to help push it back in place. Make sure it seals and no not use anything sharp to push it though, otherwise you will rip it.

Well it didn't take long. Undo front grill screws (I left bottom two in) enough to get your hand in to slot a socket onto the bolt that secures cable to the bonnet catch. Undo. From cab undo the back nut on the handle end of the cable and slide away from bracket. Pull the whole lot out into cab having watched where it goes first! From cab push new one through bulk head. Send across to far side wing and cable tie in near washer reservoir. Route behind this, around corner and then the only fiddly bit is find the hole which goes out of from wing (to right of headlight from front). Push through there and along to bonnet catch. Slot something like a 1/2 drive extension in the hole where the catch is, so there will be some tension on the cable when you let it go. Thread cable through slotted nut, tighten that up, take extension bar out of hole, grease up and slam bonnet. Check it opens. If not, swear!

satchmolips said:

Well it didn't take long. Undo front grill screws (I left bottom two in) enough to get your hand in to slot a socket onto the bolt that secures cable to the bonnet catch. Undo. From cab undo the back nut on the handle end of the cable and slide away from bracket. Pull the whole lot out into cab having watched where it goes first! From cab push new one through bulk head. Send across to far side wing and cable tie in near washer reservoir. Route behind this, around corner and then the only fiddly bit is find the hole which goes out of from wing (to right of headlight from front). Push through there and along to bonnet catch. Slot something like a 1/2 drive extension in the hole where the catch is, so there will be some tension on the cable when you let it go. Thread cable through slotted nut, tighten that up, take extension bar out of hole, grease up and slam bonnet. Check it opens. If not, swear!

Click to expand...

You took the long route.

Mine's close to busting I think, but I'm not going to bother with a new one, I prefer what my old series had, a lever just behind the grille .. far more reliable ..