Bonnet catch spring snapped :(

[Skywalker80]

After changing my oil the other day, I put the bonnet down and it wouldn't lock in on the lower catch. I found a tiny broken spring on the ground, which would've been the lower catch. I've done a quick search but not found anything concrete about getting hold of a spring.

At present ive managed to close the bonnet and push the catch lever over (by taking the grille badge out, the same goes for opening it). I cannot find a spring that will fit it and have the right amount of tension, does anyone know where I can get one? Or is my only option to buy a new lower catch that comes with the spring?

Am I ok to use the car with it closed manually without the spring? I have given the bonnet a good tug and it seems secure enough. How have others tackled this problem?

[Thom89]

The spring is a crucial part of the lower bonnet catch, not only does it keep the inner bonnet cable taught, it also keeps the locking "tongue" in the closed position after the bonnet pull has been released. It's an accident waiting to happen! go over a bump, safety catch decides not to work, bonnet flies up, hits the windscreen, hinges rip through the scuttle panel, etc etc

Or, pay 20 odd quid for a new lock that you can fit in 15mins and forget

Thom

[molegti]

Just a word of warning to help with your decision.
 
I recently bought a new latch for my Golf from VW heritage and it was way too stiff and eventually broke whilst I was adjusting the upper part. The car is currently wearing the old latch again but with the spring from the new one.
 
I'd say buying a new lock just to rob the spring is a fairly expensive solution (yet it works). You may want to consider a good second hand replacement and hope the sring isn't corroded or try and find a replacement spring (MK3 golf I'm lead to believe), the ones they sell in a box in halfords aren't up to it.
 
As Thom says though get it fixed, if when the latch moves out of position due to no spring that bonnet is coming open.
 

[Waspy]

You see stories every now and again of peoples bonnets flying open on the motorway due to duff catches. I wouldn't risk it, a bonnet opening at 70mph isn't going to end well for anyone on that road.

[Skywalker80]

Cheers guys, didn't like the idea of driving it like this either. Tried a load of places for a spring but they really weren't tight enough, and I might be up against the same issue with a used one.

I've ordered one from Heritage so thanks for the advice, I might just take the new spring off and put on my old catch. Like you say, expensive for just the spring, but I cant seem to find one anywhere.

[molegti]

Give the new catch a try, maybe I just got a bad one. Its pretty easy to change, drill the 4 rivets out and rivet in the new one. You could probably use 4/5 mm bolts if needs be but you may need button heads for the profile.