Vixen Bonnet restraint strap

[ATE399J]

I'm getting fed up with having to find a suitable block and rag to rest the bonnet on when I open it (far too often). Originally I assume the car was fitted with some sort of restraining strap - long gone by the time I got it. I'd like to reinstate this novel idea but need some hints / tips as to where to attach it - at both ends - and what it should be made from.

P.S. Got it MoT'd today !!!!!

[stigproducts]

Where did you get the MOT done- in kent?

[alan snowling]

My M has never had a retaining strap and so far I haven't seen one that has. I have seen people inserting the rags and stuff though. Mine has been fitted with a piece of alloy channel pop riveted along the bottom edge of the offending ground scraping bonnet. This is hardly noticable and stops graunching the fibre glass. If it gets scratched it polishes out, if the damage is worse its easy to replace.

[ATE399J]

Steve,

Yes had the MoT done in Kent. I live near Ashford and had the MoT done at a little local garage, I know they do another TVR (A Tuscan V8 set up for race) as well as mine. E-mail me if you want further details.

Phil.

[sybaseian]

Mine passed an MOT last week.

The only question was regarding the size of the front number plate - I said that it was legal as the car in pre-1973 and of the correct sized font for those regulations........

[nwarner]

My understanding is that the Vixen bonnet never had a retaining strap and it was the stops on the hinge that stopped the bonnet from going too far forward but these get worn. If you look at the hinge you should be able to see what I mean. You could of course build these up with weld.

The previous owner of mine fitted a cable, that he got from David Geralds, thats bolted to the bonnet frame and the chassis. The cable looks like the ones used to stop the boot lid of Mini's from opening too far.

[tvrski]

Mine has a thin steelcable from a bolted on plate at the windscreen side of the bonnet to the dynamo strut, this way the forces will be less then when it's attached closer to the hinge. But you'll have to use a semi stiff material so it won't get in the v-belt or get on the exhaust when you close the bonnet.

[Ren32]

Phil,

If you still haven't got this one sorted, here's an alternative I fitted this afternoon.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a22

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a22

The small gas struts are the same as those fitted to tailgates, came from a place called strutsdirect, just need to weld a tab on the bonnet frame and trim back the wheelarch liner by a couple of inches for clearance. Plus you get a 'soft-eject' effect when the bonnet reaches full tilt!

Darren.

[ATE399J]

Hi Darren,

How's it going? Broken it yet?

I really like your fix, I think its rather elegant (possibly a bit too modern for a TVR - next you'll be fitting an ECU!). I had a look at the gas strut site and, inevitably, there were about 99999 to chose from. Can you remember the ref code for the one you got?

What happens when you release the bonnet catches, does the bonnet spring up? I know mine balances at about 40° open so may rise on its own if given a little help (thinks, that would be useful!)

Phil.

[Daza]

Hi Darren,

I also thought its a very good idea, but what if you go over a bump and the catches release? will the bonnet flip open? Its worth remembering that braking hard makes the bonnet want to open even more (its happened to me).

I caught up with a previous owner of my car and asked him why the bottoms of the front bumpers were flat. He told me he was dabling with a chick in a 911 and the bonnet flipped open.... (true/not true ??).

Solution: I fitted a chain with a clip covered in heatshrink to my car. One end of the chain was bolted to a striker mount on the bonnet and then clipped onto the a bulkhead catch. The chain was just long enough (4inch) to allow the bonnet to open to release and unlatch the clip. Heatshrink looks a pro job, and stops rattling.

The other Darren

[ATE399J]

Other Darren,

I know what you mean, one of my latches often comes undone. Perhaps what we need is a gas strut with a (gentle) "closing" spring effect rather than an "opening" spring. as I said, from under half way my bonnet opens itself.... I can see me getting the bathroom scales out and working out moment arms....Hmmmmm.

Phil.

[Ren32]

Hi Phil,

Going good thanks, still trying to get all the little bits sorted. Haven't broken it yet though....

The struts I used were SD03-100. When you get the struts they are pressurised pretty high, i.e. you cannot compress them by hand, but they come with a set of instructions and an allen-key which you use to adjust (let out) the pressure depending on the application. I had to let most of the gas out as I didn't want too much resistance when closing the bonnet causing any flex midway down the bonnet. Because of this, when you release the bonnet catches, nothing happens. Only when the bonnet is lifted near the balance point the (low) pressure in the strut takes over (a bit like a hatchback tailgate).

If you want to pop up and take a look, send me a mail.

Darren.

[Ren32]

Hi Darren,

I think that if I'd fitted the struts as they arrived, without releasing any of the gas, then I may have re-invented some medieval siege weapon!!

I did actually have a chain and clip on standby in case I made a hash these struts, but so far so good.

Hope all is progressing well.

Darren.

Edited by Ren32 on Wednesday 22 November 11:21