Z3 Bonnet accident - now opening itself

[James S]

I accidentally closed the bonnet on my z3 with something resting on the left side of the engine bay. It closed but the left side was slightly raised. Then I had a hell of a time opening it again. The lever wasn't popping it open, so I ended up forcing it open by pulling hard on the bonnet itself whilst operating the safety latch handle and it made an unhealthy banging noise as it came open.

Now when I drive the car it opens (not fully).

Any ideas on how I might fix it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
James

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Sounds like a bu88ered catch or two. Any clues as to where you are, this just might need to be looked at. All the bits you may need are available from BMW, had to change some of mine a couple of years back, but it might be just a case of bending something straight again.

 

[James S]

Sounds like a bu88ered catch or two. Any clues as to where you are, this just might need to be looked at. All the bits you may need are available from BMW, had to change some of mine a couple of years back, but it might be just a case of bending something straight again.

My bro suggested giving it a good slam and it didn't pop open again on a subsequent drive. Probably wishful thinking but I'm hoping the latches just needed to engage properly again. I'll keep a careful eye on it. I'm in NW London.

 

[Sean d]

My bro suggested giving it a good slam and it didn't pop open again on a subsequent drive. Probably wishful thinking but I'm hoping the latches just needed to engage properly again. I'll keep a careful eye on it. I'm in NW London.

Take a look inside the holes that the bonnet pins go into, there should be a stiff bar going across one side that grabs the pins when you shut the bonnet, my guess would be that you have bent one or both forcing the bonnet open

 

[James S]

Take a look inside the holes that the bonnet pins go into, there should be a stiff bar going across one side that grabs the pins when you shut the bonnet, my guess would be that you have bent one or both forcing the bonnet open

@Sean d - I think you're right. Both locks looked a bit like this:



Using a pair of needle nose pliers I've bent the bars back like this:

 

[Sean d]

@Sean d - I think you're right. Both locks looked a bit like this:

View attachment 82516

Using a pair of needle nose pliers I've bent the bars back like this:
View attachment 82517

That looks better, hope it holds, looks like it should

 

[the Nefyn cat]

A damn good squirt of grease probably won't do any harm, and a bit on the prong-things that go into the catch, too. Technical term, that.