Firstly, hello all, I am new this forum after stumbling upon it...

Now,

I have a problem with my bonnet and was hoping someone could maybe give any new ideas.

Basically, whilst parked up in ASDA someone hit the front of my car (I was in the shop, didnt see it). This pushed the front of the bonnet forward into a small dent which now makes it impossible to open.

I now cannot check my levels and I travel around 400 miles a week usually on the motorway.

I have taken it to 2 garages who said theres nothin they could as it would need to go in a FIAT garage as they couldn't open it.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem, or if anyone knows an alternative way to open the bonnet, eg underneath the car or something.

Thanks,

Paul

millions of threads on this.have a search.
just doing something but i'll find some when i get back if you dont

thanks man

i did originally search before i posted but all i came up with were regarding the bonnet release. My bonnet release is working (i think) as i can hear it 'pull' near the bonnet release catch, but it just wont release.

I think maybe its all miss-aligned where the catch is after the collision.

Bodyshops must do it all the time, assuming the bonnet needs a repair now maybe it needs a crow-bar and X'd fingers? I would say the front cross member is mis-aligned WRT the bonnet catch mechanism so try a good poke around with a screwdriver while someone has the bonnet pull held back? Might just be the safety catch not clearing away?

Good Luck bud.

thanks mate, will have a go

cba searching anyway what you need to di is get under the front of the car and rach up to manually pop the bonnet mechanism.
however given you have some damage you may need 2 people to do it. one pushing on the bonnet while the other pops the machanism.
any pictures?

no but i will get upload some so you can see soon

Get an assistant to pull hard on the catch, and then grab the front of the bonnet and wrestle it twisting and pulling hard upwards maybe get a long stong mans screwdriver and see if you can get to the catch in between the bonnet and grill,at the same time, that does most of them, or get underneath and see if you can get to the bolts that hold the catch on, last case chop hole in the bonnet, dont forget to straight out the damage before you slam the bonnet or its back to square one good luck Ant!

brute force ftw :slayer:

Still no joy on this. taking it to a garage monday to get it open by any means....

Also, my power steering failed about 2 months ago, would this fail my MOT, as its only an aide afterall... ???


Thanks

Ive worked in a bodyshop for quite some time now and weve never had anyone with this problem, ever

nearly every front ender that comes in the bonnet gets wrenched open, you not trying to hard methinks! d- you an apprentice painter drew? Ant the beater!!!