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Removing Broken Trunk Lock

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Obtong

Obtong

Jedi Hopeful
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I’m going to do some of the work on my MG’s rear end myself using some of the money from the insurance. (See "Rear End Done In...") The first thing I need to do is to get the trunk lid open. Unfortunately, the lock isn’t working. The key goes in and turns, but so does everything else. I was told that my only option was to cut into the trunk and junk it. Can anyone suggest something that would leave my trunk hood intact? I was thinking of perhaps drilling out the lock in some way.

Thanks,
Dom
 
yes, you should be able to drill through the lock. however, why exactly are you trying to save your trunk? IMHO, it's not worth salvaging, you're better off with a replacement....
 
The usual way is to drill through the center of the trunk lock assembly. The latch is most likely misaligned from the accident damage and cannot fully disengage from the hook mounted to the rear of the chassis. Once you essentially destroy the mechanism it should fall apart and the trunk will open freely.

You can cut into the trunk if you don't plan to save it, but there is no guarantee it will open even from the inside if the latch is badly misaligned. If you plan to throw away the trunk then it's worth a shot to save the latch but if you might keep the trunk lid then it's far easier to replace a ruined latch than to find a good fitting trunk lid, install, and align it. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the info. I will try drilling into the lock assembly and see what happens.

Why try and save the damaged trunk lid? Well, one of the reasons I bought the MG (apart from owning, loving, and driving one) was so I could learn something about auto repair and auto mechanics. Bit-by-bit I have learned a lot over the past couple of years, especially with the help from this forum. (Nice new look, Basil!) I now want to see if I can do a little body work. If it doesn't work out I'll take it into a shop and have the lid replaced. If It works, then I'll save myself a bundle and get something fun for my MG with the money I save!

Dom.
 
[ QUOTE ]
it's not worth salvaging, you're better off with a replacement....

[/ QUOTE ]

I have to agree with Rob. If it were me I would be trying to save the lock (to spare the trouble and expense of having the lock repinned to go with my door key) and I would dump the boot lid. you are going to find it an amazingly difficult indoctrination into body work...the metal is obviously stretched.
Attempt to restore it as a learning effort, but buy a new one to put on the car.

Mike
 
If you have speakers installed in the rear cockpit panel like a lot of guys have done you maybe able to remove them and reach something through the speaker holes and release the latch.
Bob
 
I got the trunk open this morning without damaging the lock. I removed one of the speakers, as Bob suggested, and then used a couple of extensions on my ratchet wrench to get the lock off. It really wasn't too bad, maybe 20 minutes total.

I have taken off the license plate holder, emblems and luggage rack. Now I need to see about getting the damage fixed. I think I'll have it done professionally...

Dom
 
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