Hi everyone,just wondered if any one has ever changed the release cable for the bonnet catches,and if its a pain,and how easy or hard is it to do,or better left to a garage,hope for

some information.thanks Robin

It's one cable that goes into two as far as I am aware. Mine is knackered and I need two people to open the bonnet. One to hold the handle and one to pull the bonnet

Dabsy is ya man when it comes to this. I'll link him in

Daz

Thx Dazzler ;)

With the bonnet already open then its pretty much straight-forward, make sure the slave-cable is taught or only one latch will operate.

If the bonnet is jammed shut then you have to remove the kidneys and hack the plastic scoops at the top far corners to access the latches to open the bonnet !!

After the new cables are fitted DO NOT close the bonnet until you have manually tested the latches operation, it'll be back to square one if you don't do this LOL

BTW... You'll find it easier if you route the main cable from inside the car first !!

HTH

thanks lads for your help,still not sure how you route the cable,and HOW this is done,is there a pipe that the cable threads

through ??

thanks lads for your help,still not sure how you route the cable,and HOW this is done,is there a pipe that the cable threads

through ??

Cable runs through a tubular guide, yes. You can see this if you look along the kidney grill tops next to the actual catch. Looks like the kinda thing you will see on a bicycle's breaking system

Sorry for late reply ,but thanks everyone think I know now how to change it,just one more point is the cable that runs aong the top of the bonnet, the only one I need to change.thanks

Hi guys,

I am in urgent need of advice!!!!!!

My 2004 E65 745i bonnet won't open. the interior handle does not feel like it is pulling anything and the handle in the kidney grill won't release the bonnet. Any advice on how I can get it open? any help would be greatly appreciated! many thanks.

Hi Dave. 
Check to see if you can see the silver cable behind the lever in the footwell. If it’s still there, get some mole grips/ pliers on it and pull! 
if it’s not there, then it’s snapped and you’re destined to removing the kidney grills on the bonnet and manually opening the bonnet by cutting the plastics to locate the latches and remains of the cable… just done an x5 one and it was a right pain!