Bonnet release broken

[richandhazel]

Ok now that I have fixed the door latch and window lifters I thought I would pop the bonnet and check everything out as I hadn't looked under there since purchasing the car last weekend.

Not good. Pulled the lever and it was really stiff (Don't remember it being like that when I bought it, strange). Ended up snapping the lever arm that goes onto the spherical nipple. Ok, so I've disassembled it so that I could use some pliers to pull the cable directly...........no joy stiff as fook. Best I can do is to pop the n/s latch but for love nor money the o/s latch will not pop.

Any ideas. Obviously I'm going to need a new lever and cable but how am I going to get the bonnet open in the meantime? Can I get at it from underneath if I jack the front up?

[golfpro]

good question! cant help tbh but id imagine it would be a real pain gettin at it from underneath. Good luck matey

[topher]

chances of getting at it from underneath are slim

last person i know with this problem ended up buying a new grill and cutting the existing one up to get access.

[richandhazel]

^^^^^^^^Bloody hell, thats a bit drastic.
Going to have another go tomorrow, with a mate gently lifting the offending side just in case its simply sticking.
If not then I'll jack it up and see what I can do. Going to have a look at a work colleagues Mk4 tonight to see if I can work it out from his

[GazB]

Bloody hell rich, not having much luck at the mo are you mate, If you got to cut the grill up I think I got a spare one somewhere you can have in Black

[richandhazel]

Woohoo, bonnet now open With the help of a mate pulling and pushing on the bonnet have managed to open it. The lock mechanism was totally seized up. Have WD40'd and cleaned it all and it is ok now. Just need to get a replacement bonnet release handle.

Guess the salt from the roads getting in there caused the problem. Heads up for everyone, I plan to check and grease that lock everytime I carry out an oil change, would advise you do the same.