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MG MGA - Stuck boot latch

This tale might be of relevance to Barney's "Dealing with a stuck boot latch" section in MGA Guru.
Returning Ouistreham-Portsmouth on the ferry on Monday from the Le Mans Classic I chanced upon a lady friend (I was with my wife!) who told me the tale of her stuck boot latch fix whilst over there. Not sure how to get her stuff out of the boot she sought help from one of her group who proceeded to grip firmly both sides of her boot luggage rack and give it a very vigorous sideways shake. The boot lid popped open!
Two thoughts - presumably the lid and latch mechanism was able to move sufficiently sideways to escape the other piece of the latch. Also, presumably not easy to do without a luggage rack to give a firm purchase on the boot lid.
I think I will continue to rely on the hole on my car bored under the latch mechanism, just in case. But useful to know about.
Bruce.
B Mayo

A well-placed hole with a solid rubber gromit is not a bad thing to think about.

I jammed a few folding chairs into my boot and fought just for a moment to get the rods/horn to move. I suppose you could jam that mechanism up if you aren't careful.

That's now on my list. A hole to allow a bit of a pry with a screwdriver at the latch mechanism.
MAndrus

The boot lid delima.
I have been considering fitting electric remote control locking/releasing for both doors on my Coupe'--and a seperate button release for the boot lid. The factory release wire loop is a little agrictural!
Has anyone played with this?
I.W. Cowen.

At least we have found two additional benefits for the luggage rack other than carrying luggage: anchor for holding the bonnet up for an engine extraction; and shaking the boot to release a stuck catch. Any more?

Steve
Steve Gyles

I have always thought racks enhance the looks of As but I know that is contentious.

I always think the hidden pull loop provide about the only secure storage on As as most people have no idea how to open the boot!

Paul


Paul
Paul Dean

I. W. I have 'poppers' fitted to my '34 Ford hot rod's doors and trunk so I could shave the door handles, deck lid. Even with a great setup, you still need an outside handle hidden so you can get it in case of failure/dead battery. Also, 'suicide pins' in the even the popper activates while driving. A door popped open on my brother in law's car when his first wife shifted her foot and pressed the button on the fob in her purse.
MAndrus

The different opinions on this forum are amazing arent they. ( mine are perhaps more different than most! :-)
I got hold of a spare boot lid and a luggage rack to fit to my MGA in preparation for our trip to the Alps in 2012.
I trial fitted them before painting the boot lid and I absolutely hated how the the luggage rack looked on there.
(It does have the Le Mans style front vallance and no bumpers)

So I sold the luggage carrier and managed just fine with the space we already had!

Colyn
Colyn Firth

You are correct Colyn, the luggage rack appearance was discussed at length a few months ago. I am a rackzit. I love its looks on the car. Also I find it most useful to grab for both opening and closing the lid - avoiding finger marks and finger dents in the aluminum. I guess I have also unwittingly used it as a shaker to help open the lid, particularly when loaded to the gunwales with luggage (not spares).

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 14/07/2016 and 18/07/2016

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