Broken bonnet release cable

[rust hunter]

G'Day All,
I am new to this site and thought I would put my hand up and say hi.

Now to the serious stuff. I recently purchased an FE special sedan that looks quite complete although somewhat weather beaten. When I tried to have a look in the engine bay I found that the bonnet release cable had been broken and the bonnet can't be opened. Does anybody have any ideas as to how I can get it open with a minimum of damage? Had it been an FC I could have pried the catch through the grille but the FE grille is too fine. I can't access it from underneath as it has covers in place below the radiator. Has anyone managed to get them open by passing a bent hook up under the front of the bonnet?
Cheers

[mcl1959]

Yes you can do it that way, but you will need another car nearby so that you can shape the wire and practice where to push. I ahve one here that I made but you still need to know where to push

Ken

[julius]

Hi

I had to do the same thing on my FE and John rap's FC at the 97 Nationals

tools

I skinny strong screwdriver.

1 thicker screwdriver

2 small pieces of vinyl. not to small

How to

place vinyl over the business end of the screw driver.

push screwdriver between bonnet and bonnet catch panel and prize bonnet up ( vinyl is use so as not to scratch either panel)

If you look up towards the striker plate their is a kind of a hole that you can get the skinny screwdriver in, that gap leads to where your release is and with a bit of fishing around you will find the right spot to push on with the screwdriver,  it will be tight but you will get it.

Give me a call if you want more info on 0407486759

Kind regards

Julius

[rust hunter]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will give it a try. I have a practice car parked next to the one I want to get open, they came as a package deal.