Adjusting bonnet striker/jammed bonnet on VK

[BlackCaprice]

Hey all,

We've got this VK we're doing up and we've got a case of the old 'bonnet doesn't open unless someone is pushing down on it' scenario...

Now for those in the know, does the adjustment need to be made in the cable somehow, or the bonnet striker itself (or both). The cable seems to be doing it's job (although it has been removed and then put back on after painting) and I'm afraid to adjust the striker any tighter for fear we can't get the thing open at all. (Or does it need ot be much looser?)

Has anyone had the same issues and come up with a solution as to what to try first?

Thanks for any info or ideas!

[neet_wagon]

The adjustment gets made to the bonnet striker itself.
Grab a big arse spanner/shifter/multi-grips and loosen off the big nut slightly,
Than use a flat head screwdriver to make the adjustments (screw it in or out)

Hope that helps!

[BlackCaprice]

Thanks mate, yeah I know 'how' to adjust it, just wanted to know if the issue of a sticking bonnet is a striker being too tight or too loose. Too tight and it may not pop open but too loose and there may not be enough resistance against the latch to release it.

Just want people's experiences before I go tightening or loosening

[ari666]

the two rubber bumpers on the front of the rad support will provide you hours of entertainment. if they are up too high, itll lock the bonnet. just twist them by hand all the way down and see if that helps.

i had mine too high and i had to hit the bonnet while pulling the bonnet lever at the same time... fonzie style

[BlackCaprice]

yeah those adjustable bonnet stops aren't even on the car so it can't be them!

(used to have a VL where'd you could hit the corner of the bonnet and it would pop up!

[neet_wagon]

I'd adjust the striker, worst comes to worst the bonnet won't open and you'll just have to manually do it

If you do it with the grill out and without doing the nut back up stupidly tight, you can just unscrew it again until you can 'pop' it. If its too tight lay under the car and reach up and pull the cable manually while someone presses on the bonnet.

I've had all sorts of stubborn bonnet catches, used to have a WB ute that regardless of how you adjusted the striker, you had to jump onto the bonnet to close the bloody thing.

[BlackCaprice]

It's got a Brock front spoiler so there's no way in hell you can reach the cable from underneath (unless I had 3 elbows ) I'll take the grille out and see if I have good access and try the adjustment you suggested, bit by bit to see if I can get it spot on.

Cheers fellas

[neet_wagon]

seen a guy break his arm looked like he had 2 elbows..... never seen 3 though, can't help you there!

Good luck with the striker though.

[ari666]

seen a guy break his arm looked like he had 2 elbows.....

was he tryin' to adjust his bonnet?

[neet_wagon]

nah, was riding a pushy.

ahh those were the days........... pfft f*%k riding, struggle to walk to the car to go to work!
Hell, im not even the one driving!

[ari666]

anyway, back on topic. if you MUST adjust the striker i would say loosen, so the spring is taller.

[AndyVKSSA]

other thing to look at to could be, if the skin of the bonnet has broken away from the frame it will cause ur bonnet 2 shake and then throw ur striker out. thats the issue im having atm with mine.

[BlackCaprice]

cheers but the bonnet is tip top. It IS however slightly out of alignment so I reckon that could have something to do with it. Will go at it this weekend hopefully..

[VKCOMMO]

lol, you know that clean LS1 VL (H8FORD), well, he has the same problem... lol