Boot lid stop cable?

[Dannyk]

My Tuscan Mk I has an iron cable attached between the RH side boot hinge and the boot lid to prevent the boot lid from opening too far. Are there any others who have the same construction? Or should this be the function of the strut? The cable on my car has snapped but while looking at installing a new cable I got the impression that the cable-solution on my car may not be original... So, question is: what sort of mechanism is in place in your cars to prevent the boot lid from opening too far? Any pics perhaps?

[Speed 3]

No cable on mine, sounds like an amateur mod. I'll see if the weather allows me to get the cover off tomorrow and take some pics.

[Macey]

This is what I have on my 2001 Build Tuscan, it is on the offside hinge only. I have never seen a cable attached before.

Sorry for the poor quality

[Dannyk]

Thanks!

2 questions with respect to the picture that you sent:
- My bootlid currently (without the cable) opens in the same angle as yours, but then the inside edges of the boot lid touch the paintwork on the inside of the boot, damaging the paint (see red circle). On both sides, left and right. Do you have the same issue?
- (see yellow circle): I installed stainless steel rear window clips yesterday, but where did you get these nice butterfly bolts to allow manual operation (i.e. without having to use any tools)?

[Speed 3]

This is mine at full extension. I believe the hinges are a bit of a pig to set up, but being double-articulated you should be able to adjust them to clear the shell whilst still shutting true.

[Dannyk]

Thanks Speed 3. So the inner edges of your bootlid are not touching the body of the car on the fully open position?

[Speed 3]

Dannyk said:

Thanks Speed 3. So the inner edges of your bootlid are not touching the body of the car on the fully open position?

Correct

[Macey]

Dannyk said:

Thanks!

2 questions with respect to the picture that you sent:
- My bootlid currently (without the cable) opens in the same angle as yours, but then the inside edges of the boot lid touch the paintwork on the inside of the boot, damaging the paint (see red circle). On both sides, left and right. Do you have the same issue?
- (see yellow circle): I installed stainless steel rear window clips yesterday, but where did you get these nice butterfly bolts to allow manual operation (i.e. without having to use any tools)?

As per Speed6 my boot lid does not touch the body work when shut, I think that they may have a little bit of adjustment in them.

As for the butterfly bolts being used on my window clips, they came from eBay, I'll see if I can find them again, I am currently using two different types and not yet decided which one to stick with, I'll post a picture of the other type I am using.

Just had a search on eBay to find them, if you search for "M5 Thumb Screw" it brings up a selection of different types.




edited to add eBay info

Edited by Macey on Monday 9th November 15:24

Edited by Macey on Monday 9th November 15:46

[Speed 3]

Or if you fancy the knurled steel ones like mine and several other PH'ers, details are here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Dannyk]

Macey said:

As per Speed6 my boot lid does not touch the body work when shut, I think that they may have a little bit of adjustment in them.

Thanks for the responses, very helpful! The boot lid of my car also has no issues in the shut position, only in the fully open position. At least I now know that it has nothing to do with a missing cable. I will further look into adjusting the mechanism. Thanks again!

I will definitely order the knurled thumb screws!

Edited by Dannyk on Monday 9th November 18:35

[Dannyk]

This is how far my bootlid is currently opening (and I am even stopping it manually).

Wondering what should stop it from opening this far, the strut?



Here you can see it kissing the bodywork:

[Speed 3]

Looks like your strut is fitted upside down compared to our 2 and whilst that shouldn't affect stroke length, you may have some deterioration internally. You would normally expect the hinge mechanism to be the stop, but it could be the strut in this case. I'll see if I can disconnect mine tomorrow and see whether it extends further. The boot lid definitely shouldn't be that vertical or causing any interference.

[Macey]

Looking at your picture, it seems as if your hinge opens further than mine and Speed 6 which would mean it lifts the lid straighter up, can you get a clear picture of the hinge from the side with the boot fully open?

[Speed 3]

OK, had another look. Whilst I didn't take the strut off due to limited time (in case I couldn't get it back on) I'm pretty sure its the piston stroke that is the limiting factor. The hinges don't seem to have any stops on them and I can feel a clunk inside the strut when it stops. Plus, if I force it slightly, the attachment pins bend. Thus my hypothesis (given yours appears to be fitted upside down) is that someone has changed it at some point and bought slightly wrong spec. The bootlid fouling will also be a function of fibreglass mould tolerance as they will all vary slightly, but if you can stop the rub by limiting the travel you should be OK. I'm assuming you have the same gap both sides ? Mine looks like this at limit of travel:



This is the strut fitted to mine:

[Dannyk]

Thanks Speed 3, again, this is very helpful!

I can confirm that my current strut is different (see pic), so I will first order a new one to the correct specification. Hopefully, that will solve my issue. I will order a 650N version instead of the standard 540N because of the weight of the spoiler fitted to the bootlid of my Tuscan.

[Cats]

That is a RS Components strut currently £46.47 for a pair but still made by Camlock.
It says that they are supplied with a maximum pressure of 650N and you reduce it yourself to the required pressure.
Extended length is 264mm with a stroke length of 100mm

[Dannyk]

Thanks Cats. I have just ordered a new strut from SGS. My current RS strut appeared too long (approx 300mm in total) versus the original spec (approx 278mm in total). I was able to specify the new strut from SGS in the stronger version (650N versus 540N), so that it will be able to hold the boot lid up, including the weight of the spoiler fitted to my car. Will report back to this thread as soon as it has been fitted!

[Dannyk]

Problem solved with the new gas strut received from SGS! (standard Tuscan replacement, 540N)

[Speed 3]

And fitted the right way up ! Good to have a problem solved.

[Macey]

Good news indeed