Bonnet catches letting go!
Discussion
I am having problems with the bonnet catches letting go when I drive over unexpected bumps in the road.
Have tried adjusting the bonnet pins several times now but haven't managed to sort it.
Is there an ideal way to set up the bonnet catches or are new bonnet catches and pins still available ( which might be a better bet)
If new original type catches and pins are no longer available - are there similar catches that are near enough to work?
Thanks.
Have tried adjusting the bonnet pins several times now but haven't managed to sort it.
Is there an ideal way to set up the bonnet catches or are new bonnet catches and pins still available ( which might be a better bet)
If new original type catches and pins are no longer available - are there similar catches that are near enough to work?
Thanks.
They are a fiddle but its probably that they are not completely engaged, if you can loosen the pins a little to extend the length that passes through the catch, they should, if well lubricated click across fully and hold . It took many attempts to get mine adjusted but once correct I had no more trouble. Good Luck.
AxemanS said:
I am having problems with the bonnet catches letting go when I drive over unexpected bumps in the road....
It's an 'S' - join the club So long it is just one side at a time you'll be OK.
AxemanS said:
....Have tried adjusting the bonnet pins several times now but haven't managed to sort it...
As soon as you drive down the road the car flexes and your hours of careful setting are undone.AxemanS said:
....are new bonnet catches and pins still available....
You could try Mini pins, it might help. For a while.AxemanS said:
... are there similar catches that are near enough to work? Thanks.
Phillpot will be along shortly with his solution. Good luck I had the same problem, even after adjusting the position of the pins (masking tape over the clip and then gently closing the bonnet until the pins mark the tape.)
Eventually discovered that accumulated crud was stopping the clips moving forward enough to fully engage with the pins.
Lots of WD40 and pulling the clips forward and back with a pair of pliers eventually loosened them enough to fully catch the pins. Bonnet hasn't popped open on its own since.
It's worth a try.
Eventually discovered that accumulated crud was stopping the clips moving forward enough to fully engage with the pins.
Lots of WD40 and pulling the clips forward and back with a pair of pliers eventually loosened them enough to fully catch the pins. Bonnet hasn't popped open on its own since.
It's worth a try.
Thanks Guys,
Will try cleaning out any crud, lubricating and re-adjusting first.
Might end up with aero catches if I still can't make the old ones work and gain in confidence with cutting the fibreglass neatly.
Fortunately I have no glass or frames in the doors yet so can reach around to hold bonnet down ( both catches do let go!) so no disasters yet.
Will try cleaning out any crud, lubricating and re-adjusting first.
Might end up with aero catches if I still can't make the old ones work and gain in confidence with cutting the fibreglass neatly.
Fortunately I have no glass or frames in the doors yet so can reach around to hold bonnet down ( both catches do let go!) so no disasters yet.
ML Performance Parts did stock them but they are not listed now. If yours are too badly worn of damaged it might be worth giving Neil a ring, he might still be able to source them to order. They were however over £35 each if I recall.
I would love to know where the originals came from. Careful examination revealed that they were cut down from something TVR sourced. But where from? I have tried lots of places and asked lots of people who might identify them, and rummaged in autojumbles, without success. There has been at least one previous thread on this with several suggestions made, I followed them all up and none were right! In suspect it is something quite simple and I will kick myself if/when I finally make the connection!
I drove out of a motorway services once with the catches not engaged properly. I noticed the bonnet pop up and shot onto the hard shoulder and braked.....big mistake, the bonnet rose right up, fortunately I was still in gear so I accelerated hard and the bonnet slammed back and engaged. SO close to losing the entire bonnet!
I would love to know where the originals came from. Careful examination revealed that they were cut down from something TVR sourced. But where from? I have tried lots of places and asked lots of people who might identify them, and rummaged in autojumbles, without success. There has been at least one previous thread on this with several suggestions made, I followed them all up and none were right! In suspect it is something quite simple and I will kick myself if/when I finally make the connection!
I drove out of a motorway services once with the catches not engaged properly. I noticed the bonnet pop up and shot onto the hard shoulder and braked.....big mistake, the bonnet rose right up, fortunately I was still in gear so I accelerated hard and the bonnet slammed back and engaged. SO close to losing the entire bonnet!
You can use these parts which match the original TVR parts (on mine anyway).
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Body/Bon...
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Body/Bon...
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Body/Bon...
The Clubman spring and pin are longer so you could try these as an alternative if the standard ones don't quite work. If you do use longer ones make sure you don't wind them up too much or you might screw them into the bonnet skin!
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Body/Bon...
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Body/Bon...
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Body/Bon...
The Clubman spring and pin are longer so you could try these as an alternative if the standard ones don't quite work. If you do use longer ones make sure you don't wind them up too much or you might screw them into the bonnet skin!
The pins and springs seem to be the easy bit, I even found some on a Merc* which would probably do!
The problem is that b...y catch. Anyone with an S1 will find it is basically the same as the one that holds down the boot. Look at it carefully and you will see it has obviously been modified by TVR from something else; it has been cut down.
But what was it? The link to BMC seems very strong as, at that time, they were using the sprung pin inserted into a catch system pretty well throughout, while the other manufacturers were using basically a hook round a bar. My thinking moved toward BMC commercial but I cannot get at suitable information. Frustrating! This should be an easy one.
The problem is that b...y catch. Anyone with an S1 will find it is basically the same as the one that holds down the boot. Look at it carefully and you will see it has obviously been modified by TVR from something else; it has been cut down.
But what was it? The link to BMC seems very strong as, at that time, they were using the sprung pin inserted into a catch system pretty well throughout, while the other manufacturers were using basically a hook round a bar. My thinking moved toward BMC commercial but I cannot get at suitable information. Frustrating! This should be an easy one.
- have a look at a Sprinter for example
Edited by greymrj on Wednesday 17th June 21:49
Oh, Oh, just spotted this on ebay, I haven't double checked but it does look familiar. If so that looks like a blind alley...unless.......3 wheelers???
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RELIANT-SCIMITAR-GTE-SE5...
Maybe fuel caps aren't the only thing we have in common with Scimitars??
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RELIANT-SCIMITAR-GTE-SE5...
Maybe fuel caps aren't the only thing we have in common with Scimitars??
I don't know about yours but it is the strike plate on the latch which has taken the 'hammer' on mine and is damaged. I can change the pin but it doesnt do much good as the strike plate is deformed. Once I have the Scimitar one I can see what is involved in getting the strike plates made.
Looking at the pics it appears TVR cut off the flange for the 'safety' catch, perhaps on the basis that we would have two catches!
Looking at the pics it appears TVR cut off the flange for the 'safety' catch, perhaps on the basis that we would have two catches!
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