Anyone fitted Aerocatch bonnet fixings

[jonbarrett]

I'm thinking about scrapping the existing bonnet catch and replacing it with Aerocatch. Has anyone already done this? Do you have pictures? Was it a straightforward job? Is it moraly wrong to chop holes in my bonnet.

[fatjon]

Yes, I fitted them on mine. They look the DBs and dead easy to fit. The eye bolt can go straight into the existing bolt hole for the old catch, just put an M10 tap down it to open it up from M8. I don't have a pic to hand but will try and find time to take one at the weekend.

They spread the load better than the manky OE system too so much less bonnet wobble at speed. Have tested them to near terminal velocity in Germany last summer and they really do the job.

[touching cloth]

I was thinking about it when one of my bonnet rod things separated itself into various bits, but in the end Andy (APM) patched it all back together during the service and is holding fine. If it goes again I will go that route though, think the Cerb can certainly carry it off as a look without looking chavvy.

[dean_ratpac]

interested in seeing pics

[FarmyardPants]

dean_ratpac said:

interested in seeing pics

Me too. Also if they replace the oems, what about security? Did you fit locking ones and if so are the locks any good? I was thinking it would be better to fit them in addition to oem rods, then you could buy the keyless ones. You could fit one in the centre, but that might look a bit poo, plus the bonnet would probably flap like a manta ray

[Redmist336]

The only issue with Areocatch is there is no mechanical linkage between the lever and the pin. You bump the front enough to misalign the pin and there isn't any way to open the catch.

[jonbarrett]

I don't understand what you mean. The catch seems to be a pin that slides through a hole in the pin attached to the body. Not sure why this would jam.

[Redmist336]

The pin is released by a spring mechanism. If the spring can't overcome the tension in the pin (ie the pin is misaligned), then you can't open the catch.

[jonbarrett]

Still confused, the diagram that shows how it works http://www.aerocatch.com/updoc/How_it_works_detail... seems to show a direct mechanical link between the handle and locking pin. Looks like the spring is just there to help.

[Erich Stahler]

A nice simple clean design and I would definitely use them on a race car, but I would think carefully about fitting them on a road going Cerb as future prices are going to increase and its the clean original ones that will attract a premium!

Edited by Erich Stahler on Saturday 9th May 09:34