W124 bonnet won't stay up?

5907

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My last W124 used to hold the bonnet open on it's own once it was opened, but my current one won't hold at all.

Is there anything in the mechanism that could be faulty?
 
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5907

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I've ordered two new springs for the bonnet; hopefully they should be here tomorrow.

Where do they fit? I've seen a couple of underbonnet pictures of W124s, but I can't see where they are supposed to be :confused:

Could someone tell me where they fit?
 

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They're behind the wings.
Take the under wing gaurds off & lift the bonnet fully to change them.
 

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Just as a tip when fitting them,,put a piece of strong wire on the end and drop it through to below, you can then pull the spring down while someone hooks in into the hole, then cut the wire off.

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5907

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I took the wing liner off today with the intention of changing the spring; and to my surprise the spring was already present and correct, it was not broken and seemed to have plenty of tension in it. It was correctly seated and expanded/contracted as the bonnet was opened/closed.

So I didn't replace it, but what else could it be? It isn't just a bit weak, the bonnet has no upwards force at all.
 

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There is one each side
 
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5907

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There is one each side

I'm aware of that, but it would still hold a little if only one of them was broken. There isn't any tension on either side.
 

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I'm aware of that, but it would still hold a little if only one of them was broken. There isn't any tension on either side.

To be fair it probably wouldn't-these bonnets are heavy.
 

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I'm aware of that, but it would still hold a little if only one of them was broken. There isn't any tension on either side.

It would not stay up, boots and tailgates will not where only one strut has gone
 
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5907

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It would not stay up, boots and tailgates will not where only one strut has gone

I didn't say it would stay up, I meant that it would create at least a little upwards force, whereas there isn't any at all.

I'm thinking maybe a linkage in the hinges has come lose or something.
 

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I think that I would ask another owner if you could see how theirs works, it should help
 
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5907

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Thanks very much for your help; I took the Driver's wing liner off today and sure enough, the spring was hanging amongst the mud with a broken end. I replaced it, and the bonnet held perfectly :)

I did the other side aswell since I had a set of brand new springs, not a difficult job at all once the liner was off.
 

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Easter is getting better :D:D and worth turning on the computer
 

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