I hope someone can help me.
I bought my 1st Jag today & made a massive rookie error & closed the bonnet from the side rather than the centre.
This resulted in all sorts of drama from it locking down all out of shape. A friend helped me get it feed up but now it is just all out of wack. 3 hours of trying hinge adjustments & anything else we could think of got it to this point but it is so fer out that i am afraid to close it in case it jams again.
Have we bent something that can be repaired or am i up for a small fortune to get it fixed?

 

I've a some thoughts to offer:


1. Check the pins for alignment. Did they get bent aside a bit
on either the "improper close" or the pry open efforts.


2. Clean & Lube the pins and the latches.


3. Operate the release handle with the bonnet open. Smoothly sliding cable in it's housing or jerky.


4. The misalignment in your pictures doesn't seem bad
enough to bind badly enough to resist tough pin springs.
They are adjustable. Mine have a lot of "pop", perhaps a bit
too much!!!


5. Mine got stuck closed a time or two. One completely and
the other on one latch only. I used my "Tommy Bar" and a rag to pad it's edge. Slipped in the space at the top and gently pried with the
handle being pulled. The bonnet popped open rather easily.


6. I read this on another forum. Remove the grill, slacken the hinge bolts.. Close the bonnet. Nudge and gently pry it into the best alignment that you can. Side gaps and rear gaps. Reach through
the front with a rachet and socket and tighten the hinge bolts.


7.. The only other places for concern are the hinge to body bolts.
Very sturdy and unless a major collision or rust have altered things, that should be OK. The others are the hinge bolts that the hinge bolts pivot on. Very hefty Same comment as to collision and rust...


Tis said that one becomes a Jaguar mechanic on properly aligning a bonnet. By that definition, I flunk!!!


Carl

 

#6 could save a million open/loosen/tighten/repeats. Seriously great thought and thank you

 

Definitely a good idea! Mine opened and closed like new after I did that!
That's encouraging, Carl, because my hood/bonnet is perfectly aligned after removal last year for all that work we did.
(';')

 

Thanks for the replies guys.
We have tried just about everything mentioned & it is still way out.
It seems to be twisted real bad.
Right side is almost spot on but left side of the front of the bonnet needs to come down & also back about a half inch.
I am going to have another crack at it today & thinking i will undo the hinges completely & just lay the bonnet in place to make sure we haven't bent or twisted it in some way. We were pretty rough on it.
I really hope my Jag owning experience improves because at the moment it sucks.

 

I wrestled with mine for some time. The bonnet alignment worsened having succeeded in getting the LH latching pin to engage/release without jamming. Result - One problem fixed and another one created.

I couldn't get enough adjustment out of the hinges so eventually had my local Jag workshop hoist it up for a better look. Discovered one hinge was cracked, distortion preventing proper alignment. Bonnet removed, hinge welded and straightened, latch pins fiddled with again, alignment now 95+% good and the latching/release is perfect. I'm finally satisfied but have no idea how or when the hinge had cracked.

Meanwhile, don't forget all the attributes of Jag ownership as well as the (fun) challenging bits!

 

The hood is held on by a hinged appliance that is inserted into the frame rail in the front. That hinge is not a tight fit and the whole hinge can move up and down and front to back inside the rail quite a bit. There are three bolts on the inside of the frame rail and one on inside of the fender strut support. The bolts on the inside are right along side the radiator side tanks but can be serviced with a box wrench. Loosen them up and the whole hood can move considerably.

Your statement that one side is close the other side is way off suggests the hinge as inserted into the frame rail has shifted on the one side that is way off.

 

Welcome to the forums Rick. I have added you to the Qld Roll call Thread.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...4/#post1461868

When you have a moment please post an intro in the new member area for a warm welcome.

New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Thanks for the add to the roll call & humble appologies for my bad manners. Intro now done.

 

Looks like we may have found the problem. Bottom inside skin on the bonnet is torn where the hinges bolt on. Removed the bonnet completely & disconnected the springs, sat the bonnet on the car & it lines up perfectly. Now to get the bonnet welded & strengthened a bit & hopefully it will be good to go.

 

Well I'm glad you found that!
Now you can get on with enjoying your car instead of cursing it. (been there done that)

Consider this your "baptism by fire." Everything from here on will be smooth sailing and joyful ecstasy. LOL
(';')

 

It's always good when you find the problem relatively quickly...well done Rick.

 

FIXED. Thanks to all that replied for your support & advice.

 

There is a really good breadth and depth of knowledge on here for these cars, so you are in the right place to get assistance when its needed. Hope you start enjoying the new car.