hood frame appears to be stuck!

[Markvsandford]

Hi all

made it back to the UK today to try and drive my dads old stag. Sorted out insurance for the day, went to take the hood off, there was some resistance and one of the bolts on the frame sheared off. After much swearing, and then a little bit more swearing, i managed to get the remains of the old bolt out, and did a temporary fix with a new bolt until i can order the correct replacement.
Any ideas what could be causing the frame to stick? we didn't force the frame - my mum was helping and she's no geoff capes.

Thanks in advance, really hoping to drive the car today........

Mark

[davidf]

Were you putting it up or down?

If down, was the problem with folding up the rear, or lowering the whole lot into the hood compartment?

If Up, was the problem getting it out of the rear compartment, or lowering the rear portion afterwards?

[Markvsandford]

it was initially putting it down, it was a bit stiff to push it back, but it went in, but that's when the bolt sheared. We then tried to take it back up with a temporary bolt fitted, but it appears stuck.

[milothedog]

it was initially putting it down, it was a bit stiff to push it back, but it went in, but that's when the bolt sheared. We then tried to take it back up with a temporary bolt fitted, but it appears stuck.

Did you engage the catches fully on the rear part before you folded it in to the hood well

[Markvsandford]

no, i think that was the problem. i thought they were engaged, but obviously not. Will have to watch out for that. I managed to free it now by loosening the 3 bolts on each side (found a thread on here that helped). The release catch isn't working now.....

[new to this]

Try and oil/WD 40 all the moving parts round all the bolts

Dave

[Markvsandford]

ok, managed to release the tonneau catch. The problem appears to be that the drivers side catch was fully engaging, but the passenger side wasn't. It doesn't look as if it is possible to lock it in place. Cant see an obvious way to adjust this. Any ideas?

[pcoleman]

you may have to take the passenger side catch off and enlarge the fixing holes in whichever direction you need to enable the catch to engage the hood frame,I'm afraid its not an exact science.