Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

Travelling at 60 km/h on the Glow Worm Tunnel Rd, Newnes State Forest
several weeks ago, the bonnet smacked into the windscreen without
warning. Luckily the road was straight and there were no on-coming
cars-I stopped the vehicle without further incident. Upon inspection,
two bolt/screws that hold a bonnet plate that engages into the
release levers were found loose in the engine bay (on the bar above
the radiator).

See photos at: http://home.people.net.au/~wabbaly/Disco%20Bonnet%
20Release%20at%2060%20kmh/

With some difficulty the three of us lowered the bonnet, carefully
manipulating the wipers under the bonnet's lower edge (they were in
that position because of the accident). Because there was no phone
reception, we couldn't call Land Rover's Roadside Assist, therefore
we tied the bonnet down and drown slowly home and called there.

Had the bonnet spontaneously released itself minutes before or after,
the three of us could have crashed into a pine tree or sandstone road
cutting. We are so fortunate the accident took place where it did.

The car: Was I driving an old Disco. No, it's a 2003 Land Rover
Discovery, Series II, purchased Dec 2003,
under warranty until Dec 2006. Serviced by the book by Land Rover
service centres.

Land Rover "Customer Care" were initially reluctant to provide us
with a replacement car or cover the costs of towing. This, and other
behaviour, was totally disrespectful considering that the three of us
could have died due to the malfunction had it occurred elsewhere.
Particular mention must be made of Andrew Howard and Maggie
(Margaret) Horesch (National Customer Care Manager for LRA) both of
whom work in Melbourne--they have shown complete disreguard for our
circumstance--I hope none of you have to deal with them when it
really matters.

Has anyone heard of this happening to Land Rovers?

The most important issue for me and my family is, why did this
accident happen? Furthermore, what will stop it happening again?

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

D Walford wrote:
> wrote:
>
> > The most important issue for me and my family is, why did this
> > accident happen? Furthermore, what will stop it happening again?
> >
>
> There is supposed to a secondary bonnet catch so if the first catch
> fails then the bonnet is still prevented from coming open.
> My question would be is why did the second catch fail?

I'm unaware of the existence of a second catch--can you enlighten me?
Is it visible in the photos I've posted?

> Bolts vibrating loose on a 4WD used on rough roads is not uncommon and
> to a certain extent is to be expected, such things should be checked at
> service time and should also be noticed by the owner/driver when doing
> regular under bonnet checks as per the owners manual which of course you
> always do?

Since the car has done <60 000 km I didn't think loose bolts would be
an issue; and if they were, I thought Land Rover would note it in the
manual and/or inspect these bolts at service.

>
>
>
> Daryl

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

> wrote in message
oups.com...

> Has anyone heard of this happening to Land Rovers?

Nah, the weight of the spare tyre, shovel & pick guaranteed mine to never
lift, I pretty much avoided lifting it as much as I could rarely saw any
good news in there :)

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

The secondary bonnet catch is useless in this situation as the actual
bolting mechanism has come off.

"D Walford" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>
>> The most important issue for me and my family is, why did this
>> accident happen? Furthermore, what will stop it happening again?
>>
>
> There is supposed to a secondary bonnet catch so if the first catch fails
> then the bonnet is still prevented from coming open.
> My question would be is why did the second catch fail?
> Bolts vibrating loose on a 4WD used on rough roads is not uncommon and to
> a certain extent is to be expected, such things should be checked at
> service time and should also be noticed by the owner/driver when doing
> regular under bonnet checks as per the owners manual which of course you
> always do?
>
>
>
> Daryl

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

On or around 4 Jun 2006 23:19:22 -0700, enlightened
us thusly:
>
>Has anyone heard of this happening to Land Rovers?

can't say as I have, personally.
>
>The most important issue for me and my family is, why did this
>accident happen? Furthermore, what will stop it happening again?

loctite on the bolts. They shouldn't be able to come loose.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Too Busy: Your mind is like a motorway. Sometimes it can be jammed by
too much traffic. Avoid the jams by never using your mind on a
Bank Holiday weekend.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

On 5 Jun 2006 01:42:44 -0700, wrote:

>> There is supposed to a secondary bonnet catch so if the first catch
>> fails then the bonnet is still prevented from coming open.
>> My question would be is why did the second catch fail?

It didn't. If you look at the pictures it is still latched to the front
valance in No.5. What has happened is that combined secondary latch and
primary lock unit has become detached from the bonnet. There are only two
bolts holding that unit to the bonnet if they fall out...

> I'm unaware of the existence of a second catch--can you enlighten me?

So you haven't been doing the weekly checks on fluids etc as per the User
Manual. You would know about the secondary latch if you had, as you
shouldn't be able to open the bonnet without releasing it.

> Is it visible in the photos I've posted?

Yes, in No.5 but it should be attched to the bonnet just below the gap in
the seal in No.4.

> Since the car has done <60 000 km I didn't think loose bolts would be
> an issue; and if they were, I thought Land Rover would note it in the
> manual and/or inspect these bolts at service.

It's not a service item and three years is ample time for a couple of
small bolts to work loose. Once a bolt is loose it'll work it's way out
surprisngly quickly, like hours or less.

**** happens, but the attitude of Customer Care leaves a little to be
desired but that may be down to a reaction against your apparently
agressive attitude. If you want people to do things for you, don't upset
them. Human nature being what it is means that some one annoyed by
someone will do the minimum required (or by the book). Get them on your
side and more stops are likely to be pulled out to assist you and get you
what you want.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h
 

Austin Shackles wrote:
.....
> >
> >The most important issue for me and my family is, why did this
> >accident happen? Furthermore, what will stop it happening again?
>
> loctite on the bolts. They shouldn't be able to come loose.
>
That was my thought too, but the smash repairer said then they'd never
be able to be undone, if required (when would that be?). He suspected I
bought a "Friday afternoon" car, and that possibly some spring washers
were omitted.

Land Rover Discovery bonnet release at 60 km/h