Hood catch not releasing

[jpyke]

Hi folks, just fulfilled a very long standing desire to own a stag, so hello all! I expect I'll be frequenting the forums a fair amount when trying to sort out the niggles I have with the car!

I have a problem with the soft top - when I pull the release catch it clicks and seems to release partially but not completely and the hood won't budge. I'm not sure how to get at the catch to attempt to release it fully, can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks!

[jpyke]

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Hmm that wasn't a very clear description - I should add that the hood is currently up!

[GTJones]

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Hi

When you pull the lever can you feel any resistance? if you can then get a helper to pull the lever and you can pull the hood from the centre upwards - This might be necessary if the lock down catch (Same as bonnet catch) is stiff. Don't be to harsh though.

If you can feel no resistance your cable might have broken - this is more difficult but see if you can remove the back seat (Some people remove the two bolts so the seat back can be removed in this event?

If not remove the seat squab and you have to get an old coat hanger and try and locate the catch to free it, sounds a pain and it is

Hope this helps

Gary

[V Mad]

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Welcome to the joys.....

Firstly, undo the two front levers to releasethe hood tension, then try again. If no joy, try hitting the hood frame hard with your handwhilst pulling the lever. That usually does it.

If it will still not release you could tryto remove the two bolts holding the catch to the frame(push an open ended 7/16 spanner into theback)or take off the seat back squab (difficult!).

Another method is to undo the rear hoop from the frame (ask again if you need to).

[jpyke]

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Ok, thanks for the advice folks. Gary - yes I can feel resistance and I can hear the catch click, but the hood does not come free when it does click so I'm guessing the cable is stretched or lazy and not fully releasing. Sounds like its gonna be a pain to sort out!

[Ian F]

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jpyke - you ought to detail whereabouts you are (butnot your address unless you want some tyke to come and nick it!) as I'm sure there'll be someone nearby who would come and assist?

Give it a try!

Ian F

[KansasCityMilkman]

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I had the same problem with my Stag when I first bought it - I made the mistake of only seeing it pre-purchase with the soft top up! Anyway, the cable had snapped but thanks to previous posts on this it wasn't too bad of a job.
Take out the bottom of the back seat and then pull quite hard on the bottom of the back squab - this will bend the lugs that the squab hangs on to - don't worry, they'll bend back later. You should then just be able to get your hand underneath and up to the catch release.
If the cable has broken you might get away with buying a bicycle brake cable to go inside the sleeve but if not the usual Stag suppliers have them - only trouble is they only supply it with the tonneau release cable too but then again it's worth replacing these to be on the safe side.
I did find with the "official" replacement that I had to shave a bit off the the "T" end that goes inside the release handle as it wouldn't swivel properly and would have snapped again very soon if not. I just used a metal file.
Good luck, and welcome to joys of Stag ownership!

[V Mad]

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The cable can break, but I find that the usual cause is that the catch plunger is off-centre and the plunger jams in the hole (ooh). If you release the tension on the hood (open front levers, and undo the three bolts on each side of the rear hoop it should release.

Also, it does not pop up if theplunger spring is missing.

[coldstreamer]

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i must have been very lucky with my hood , the car had been stored for the last sixteen years with the hard top on , i dreaded trying the hood as i thought it might have siezed up , my neighbour helped me lift off the hard top , and pulled the cable gingerly started to pull out thehood , it came out perfect , it had shrunk a little, covered in dust keptit on all day ,good as new now , love it

regards andy

[jpyke]

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Thanks folks - these are all useful replies. I'll be waiting until it stops raining then having a go in daylight methinks!