Hi


my bonnet release cable will not open, not sure if the ball at the end has broken or just dislodged. Any ideas on how to get it open? aside from taking an axe to it.

get underneath the front of the car and put your hand up and find the ball and pull then replace the cable

Easy as minus the grille you can put a fork without even bending it over the back of the spring and the catch sits between the prongs failing this ie if you have cooling s**t in the road watch this video to see how I got in no AXE involved just the back of a claw hammer and she opens up like a tin o sardines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LRg_IOxmho

hmm no axe, so i guess that means no gasaxe.
plasma cutter
angle ginder
sledge hammer
6 ft pry bar
excavator
bobcat
tractor
chain through the grill on to something that has torque
Theres plenty of alternatives, that's just a short list.

If you want to avoid panel damage externally you could even just drop the motor/ box k frame etc.
might damages a few looms and hoses though.