Car is in for mot tomorrow at half 8. New cable is ordered but won't be fitted for 2 weeks (homer for mate) . How do I access the cable to oil and release it?
Thanks.
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ford mechanic knowledge - 07 smax bonnet release cable seized
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Posted 10 months ago #
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does it work off the key in the front grill same as the Focus?
Posted 10 months ago # -
I'm thinking about buying a smax, what do you think of them? can you get a bike in stood up with wheels on?
Posted 10 months ago # -
Not a proper sized bike...in fact I need to remove front wheel and saddle if I want it stood up. Been a brilliant car, only 2 drawbacks are lack of height with seats all down - oceans of space but not enough height for bike in vertically; second issue is the bonnet release - which got improved from 08 models.
It is a great vehicle though.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Bonnet opens by a release lever inside cabin. No key option on grill.
Posted 10 months ago # -
With difficulty I suspect. My galant's bonnet release cable snapped, took a good hour faffing about with a bent spoke to get it to open. Try working underneath the car and get it opened that way?
Posted 10 months ago # -
Bottoms...ok, thanks for that...will give it a bash (and a spray with GT85, assuming I can see the cable and get the lube to run down it...the cable is intact, just seized inside the housing as cleverly enough they didn't use a sealed cable (they do now though)...
Posted 10 months ago # -
B.A.NANA
get a new galaxy instead...you can stand bikes up in those
Posted 10 months ago # -
I would contact Ford for this as there is a Technical Service Bulletin that applies for this and I believe means it is replaced FOC.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Apparently only if car is still under warranty as I tried that.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Yes there is a TSB, not a recall, so is payable. It is only to replace the cable with one with a slightly different seal at the latch end. They are fairly akward to replace as the old cable is tapped to the n/s/f inner arch below the footwell carpet and underlay. I've done quite a few now, and at least you can access under the bonnet from under the car on these, unlike the older mondeo, focus etc that you had to cut the grill when the catch wouldn't replease withthe key! I cant remeber the labout time to do the cable, but i think its about 1.2 hours or so.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Thanks, gave in and getting fixed Saturday morning. Now to find a garage to do the mot on Saturday afternoon.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Didn't realise that the bonnet not opening would be an MOT fail??
I know that when i've taken my car in for MOT & hung around whilst it was done, the bonnet was never opened.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Mine jammed open last weekend. An easier fix luckily as you can get the latch off in about 5 mins and lube the cable end to free things up. I think it may become a regular maintenance thing. Crap design detail (love the vehicle though - perfect for our needs)
Posted 10 months ago # -
Time to find a new garage then methinks.....think about what else they might not have done
Posted 10 months ago # -
Cool, otherwise I could have emailed you the TSB and fitting instructions (which make it look a royal PITA).
Smax owners club forum is good to bookmark.Posted 10 months ago # -
Will bookmark, thanks.
Not an mot failure directly but they need to check stuff under the hood apparently, so if they can't get in, it will fail.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Think yourself lucky its not a Mondeo, where the cure is usually driling a big hole in the grille.
Posted 10 months ago #
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