Ideas Please

[fatbob]

hi guys sorry its me again i need advice the bonnet catch has broken on my e38 7 series and i cant get it open to replace cable its the main one on drivers side plz help..

[G4VHD]

Lol...dont apologise dude, thats what were here for.

Someone with E38 knowledge will be along shortly to help out I'm sure.

[IanIOM]

Where has it snapped? Interior end or bonnet end? If interior mould grips are your friend! If bonnet end it is possible to fiddle your way in there(no childish comments!)

[fatbob]

bonnet end ive taken o/s grille front and can see mechanism but dont know how to get at it to open her up

[fatbob]

cheers fellas i hope you come back with more sympathetic answers than local dealer who suggested it will take him unknown amount of time to smash mechanism with hammer and chisel till something breaks to open catch and any damage caused in meen time will be repaired at a cost + his hourly rate. What a to***r :angry:

[kirby williams]

hi bob

if u can see the end where the cable goes through, it should b shaped like a loop u can push it with a screw driver while someone is takin the strain of the bonnet off the catch all depends which way the cable goes ..... left or right across the car depends which way u need to push/pull it

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Best I can do at this time...

You are going to have to remove/break the left side kidney grille.

Pull the grille out to access the hood latch assembly. The left side bonnet latch should be hidden behind a cover. You will have to remove this cover any way you can, maybe cut into it. Once the cover is off you should be able to see the workings of the bonnet latch. You should be able to use a screwdriver to reach in and move the lever on the latch.

I have a full replacement just sitting in my boot for WHEN this happens to me :(

[fatbob]

cheers guys i will have a look tomorrow in daylight and will update with progress.

[BigAl]

Another cheap option, join the AA/RAC or another car breakdown company and call them out, job done, good luck.

[fatbob]

ive bottled it boys im afraid i did not want to do any damage so i have it booked in next week for a full service and let them deal with it thanks for advice tho much appreciated.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Chicken :P :D

[fatbob]

absolutly

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

The hardest part is removing the grille !!!

[fatbob]

the grille was the easy part matey just hit it with me toecap and it fell off then jumped on ebay and bought new pair for 80 quid sorted :P :P

[Dean Booboo Cherrington]

Hi guys, am new to the 3 series and got to say that i have never liked BMW but after having this car for about a week i now love the quality of the car and the feel, i have a 99 e46 pre facelift but have upgraded the indicators. Only problem i have is the orange bulbs have an offset pin and standard dont, i'm guessing i can just buy a new bulb holder but cant find anything on ebay :-(. Does any1 know where i can get one, also the new clear indicators dont seem to fit perfectly flush with my bodywork on either wing, seen that people advertise 2 and 4 door ones, would this be th case that i have the wrong ones or is it just a thing i have to put up with.

[BigAl]

Welcome, Hope this helps, you have to put your No. plate in so should give you correct part, good luck http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/presults/plmsa2z.php?slctCar=BMW&Manufacturer=BMW&midivmid=1&mid=1268&PartName1=Indicator+Bulb+Holder&issm=1

[mr metatarsal]

jeez,i just stripped me sunroof and its motor,and im not to hot with mech type things.surely a grill and reach in aint too hard.

[fatbob]

well thats it dudes its all fixed at last cheers for ya help and advice saved me quids so i can get her serviced now and they can change oil and plugs without the hassle.