Jag gas strut to replace the rubbish bonnet prop
Discussion
It's a doddle.
I bought a pair of struts on ebay, buy gave one away to somebody else who was doing the same mod.
Remove the circlips and take off the old bonnet support rod. That leaves a little bracket on the wing.
At the top (on mine at least) the rod fits into a hole in a metal bracket that's pop-rivetted onto the inside of the bonnet. I drilled out the pop rivets to get the bracket off, then put a longer bolt through from the back, and put a nut on, and tightened the nut up to hold the bolt into the bracket. Then poprivet the bracket back on in the same place.
Then use some plain and spring washers, and put the strut onto the bolt, and tighten it up (not too much, so that it can turn as the bonnet goes up and down).
So the top looks like this:
Then fit the bottom end - again use some washers to let the strut turn as the bonnet goes up and down, and bolt the bottom end of the strut onto the bracket.
So it ends up like this:
I bought a pair of struts on ebay, buy gave one away to somebody else who was doing the same mod.
Remove the circlips and take off the old bonnet support rod. That leaves a little bracket on the wing.
At the top (on mine at least) the rod fits into a hole in a metal bracket that's pop-rivetted onto the inside of the bonnet. I drilled out the pop rivets to get the bracket off, then put a longer bolt through from the back, and put a nut on, and tightened the nut up to hold the bolt into the bracket. Then poprivet the bracket back on in the same place.
Then use some plain and spring washers, and put the strut onto the bolt, and tighten it up (not too much, so that it can turn as the bonnet goes up and down).
So the top looks like this:
Then fit the bottom end - again use some washers to let the strut turn as the bonnet goes up and down, and bolt the bottom end of the strut onto the bracket.
So it ends up like this:
Edited by tvrgit on Friday 4th September 14:18
Paul
Here is the link to the thread that you are looking for: Pistonheads Gas Strut Klicky
I fitted one to my S2, it is much better than the original unstable strut. I got mine from here British Parts UK . The only problem I had is that the strut put a side loading on the bonnet and I had to make a few adjustments to the latches to get the bonnet to open/close properly.
Pete
Here is the link to the thread that you are looking for: Pistonheads Gas Strut Klicky
I fitted one to my S2, it is much better than the original unstable strut. I got mine from here British Parts UK . The only problem I had is that the strut put a side loading on the bonnet and I had to make a few adjustments to the latches to get the bonnet to open/close properly.
Pete
clarenceboddiger said:
I have a concern with this idea, maybe unfounded but in the event of the bonnet catch opening in error whilst driving, would the bonnet spring up or would wind pressure keep it down?
The gas strut doesn't lift the bonnet. It holds it up when open, but isn't strong enough to push it open. In fact I would say it's more likely to hold the bonnet CLOSED, say if you braked when the bonnet first popped up (not a good idea!)One flaw with this idea. I've been working with the bonnet up whilst on axle stands and having the old style prop means the bonnet can come up almost vertical making it far easier to get to things. Have a large block of wood that the bottom rests on.
Just thought, suppose the top bolt could be drilled and fitted with an R clip which then makes it easier.
Just thought, suppose the top bolt could be drilled and fitted with an R clip which then makes it easier.
Edited by wiz 1 on Saturday 14th February 21:56
wiz 1 said:
One flaw with this idea. I've been working with the bonnet up whilst on axle stands and having the old style prop means the bonnet can come up almost vertical making it far easier to get to things. Have a large block of wood that the bottom rests on.
Simple solution: remove the bolt through the bottom mounting to put the bonnet vertical. Takes 30 seconds.
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