Lets make a Bonnet Stay
Discussion
Ballistic Banana said:
richb said:
Seasider said:
David any more bonnet stays yet ?? I've broken that as well 
what might have been an idea is to have a ball in the smaller diameter rod that is sprung and then a hole just slightly smaller than the ball in the larger diameter rod. Then as it telescopes out the ball springs out into the large rod at the desire length?
Good example is the adjustable crutches you get from hospital, or even an umbrella ?
BB
I have patented this idea just need someone tomake it and produce it
richb said:
Right go on... lets develop this idea - I might have a go at adapting mine one day. I get the ball in the crutch idea but how do you make it collapse afterwards?
Rich,
It would collapse the same as the one David made.
Something like one of them carbon fibre Fishing rods would prehaps do? and just butcher it to the correct length and add the brackets each end as with the modwise one? Thoughts.
I generally like "Scooter Hooter Barretti's" one too with the hindge
anychance your going to produce some IAN????? BB
BB,
I made my own bonnet stay last year when the original was lost.
OK not a fancy sliding/folding jobbie just the rigid type.
Think it was B&Q that stock the ali rod and its the perfect guage and can be easily bent etc.
Maybe this rod could be adapted, I might try a couple of things myself, I like the telescopic idea.
Gsw500
I made my own bonnet stay last year when the original was lost.
OK not a fancy sliding/folding jobbie just the rigid type.
Think it was B&Q that stock the ali rod and its the perfect guage and can be easily bent etc.
Maybe this rod could be adapted, I might try a couple of things myself, I like the telescopic idea.
Gsw500
Ballistic Banana said:
Rich,
It would collapse the same as the one David made.
Something like one of them carbon fibre Fishing rods would prehaps do? and just butcher it to the correct length and add the brackets each end as with the modwise one? Thoughts.
I generally like "Scooter Hooter Barretti's" one too with the hindge
anychance your going to produce some IAN????? BB
Oi BB
My I need a boot stay thread is not getting
'd now 
As my strut crumpled at Back Home... I'm working on a replacement... Should have them at the Growl on the Saturday.
Steve
www.tvrextras.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrextras.co.uk
A straight stay won't work because it won't clear the swirlpot when you close the bonnet.
(I discovered that when I strightened mine and then had to bend it again!)
I have however solved, or at least vastly improved, the wobbly bonnet stay syndrome, using some anodised ally from B&Q, araldite and a nut and bolt. And for better mechanical soundness, a new lower mounting point so the stay is vertical and not at 40 degrees pushing the bonnet sideways. Will post some pix next time the beast is out.
(I discovered that when I strightened mine and then had to bend it again!)
I have however solved, or at least vastly improved, the wobbly bonnet stay syndrome, using some anodised ally from B&Q, araldite and a nut and bolt. And for better mechanical soundness, a new lower mounting point so the stay is vertical and not at 40 degrees pushing the bonnet sideways. Will post some pix next time the beast is out.
B&Q but used steel tube, now about two years on and still OK ( unlike other things) another thread... 
Just a quick update... Just fitted the first stay kit to my Griff. Big improvement. Very little work to fit and can re-use the original stay.
Basically a rose joint at the top and a special widget at the bottom to locate the bottom end. Uses the existing holder.
Unfortunately my digital camera needs charging so piccies will have to wait till tomorrow. They will be at the Growl.
Basically a rose joint at the top and a special widget at the bottom to locate the bottom end. Uses the existing holder.
Unfortunately my digital camera needs charging so piccies will have to wait till tomorrow. They will be at the Growl.
Ballistic Banana said:
I generally like "Scooter Hooter Barretti's" one too with the hindge
anychance your going to produce some IAN????? BB
Had the idea to BB, but I've not really had the time to sort anything out.
Basically, its a design made up from bits of other ideas here and there, the main criteria was to have one which could use the existing stay.
I'm interested to see what SHPUB comes up with at the Growl.
Then again if anyone would rather have a go at modding their own, have a look at mine at the Growl and we'll sort something out.
avoided 
shpub said:
Just a quick update... Just fitted the first stay kit to my Griff. Big improvement. Very little work to fit and can re-use the original stay.
Basically a rose joint at the top and a special widget at the bottom to locate the bottom end. Uses the existing holder.
Unfortunately my digital camera needs charging so piccies will have to wait till tomorrow. They will be at the Growl.
Basically a rose joint at the top and a special widget at the bottom to locate the bottom end. Uses the existing holder.
Unfortunately my digital camera needs charging so piccies will have to wait till tomorrow. They will be at the Growl.
I will be v interested to see that as mine is pants AND the holding clip has gone so its loose
Edited by jeffsy on Tuesday 1st August 08:19
Here's the piccies. The final design has some silicon rubber hose around the stay to keep your fingers cool.
I should have around 10 sets at the Growl and I'll do a special Growl price of £20 all including a new stay.
Do people want the widget at the end anodised blue or clear to match the stay? Anodising the stay is a possibility but the length is a bit of a problem.
I should have around 10 sets at the Growl and I'll do a special Growl price of £20 all including a new stay.
Do people want the widget at the end anodised blue or clear to match the stay? Anodising the stay is a possibility but the length is a bit of a problem.
Edited by shpub on Tuesday 1st August 11:59
Don't wish to rubbish what anyone else has done but surely the best solution is a centrally supported rod that drops from the centre of the cross rod (as original) onto the chassis rail in the middle of the car. This allows easy access from both sides and provides the most stable support (I often tinker when its a tad windy and the existing arrangment is rubbish). It would need to be lockable, maybe a pin that slots through the rod and the support. And one that the service agents can remove without damaging it/the paintwork.
Tall order but someone must be able to did it - I can explain what I want to haven't got the technical wizz or time to do it.
Just my 2p.
FFG
Tall order but someone must be able to did it - I can explain what I want to haven't got the technical wizz or time to do it.
Just my 2p.
FFG
Looked at it but couldn't come up with a solution that didn't foul the expansion tank or needed the stay bar to be bent so that the bonnet could be closed or simply collapsed and wobbled like the original. Using the central point means that any stay is at 45 degrees ish and this is not could for any type of support as the vertical weight will also try and push the stay sideways and this is why they bend.
As soon as it is bent, it starts to wobble because the weight of the bonnet is not transmitted down the stay. The first version that I did with a central stay collapsed like the originals. The central bar is very weak anyway. On the original design, all it does is prevent the bent bit of stay from slipping so that the weight is actually supported by the stay bar edge embedding into the bonnet insulation. I can actually push that bar in with my fingers. I have tried stronger bars but clearance is an issue again for virtually no benefit. All it did was make the original stay collapse.
By moving it to the side, the bonnet is remarkably rigid because the pivot is right on the edge and doesn't flop about as the weight is supported at a strong point and not in the middle of a flimsy bit of bar. It is also a lot less in the way. Or it least it is when I'm doing stuff like looking for rad leaks or checking water leaks and so on. For any real extensive work, removing it is the best option anyway.
Using the chassis rail... it is a possibility but the length and the strength of stay would need to be increased as would that central bar. Again, not sure how that would fit given the lengths involved. I'll have a look at it.
As soon as it is bent, it starts to wobble because the weight of the bonnet is not transmitted down the stay. The first version that I did with a central stay collapsed like the originals. The central bar is very weak anyway. On the original design, all it does is prevent the bent bit of stay from slipping so that the weight is actually supported by the stay bar edge embedding into the bonnet insulation. I can actually push that bar in with my fingers. I have tried stronger bars but clearance is an issue again for virtually no benefit. All it did was make the original stay collapse.
By moving it to the side, the bonnet is remarkably rigid because the pivot is right on the edge and doesn't flop about as the weight is supported at a strong point and not in the middle of a flimsy bit of bar. It is also a lot less in the way. Or it least it is when I'm doing stuff like looking for rad leaks or checking water leaks and so on. For any real extensive work, removing it is the best option anyway.
Using the chassis rail... it is a possibility but the length and the strength of stay would need to be increased as would that central bar. Again, not sure how that would fit given the lengths involved. I'll have a look at it.
Edited by shpub on Tuesday 1st August 13:22
Good points there from Steve. The stay looks to be a much nicer design than any I've seen so far.
About the bonnet in the wind - it takes about 2 minutes to lift the bonnet off the car totally and take it indoors out of harms way. No chance of it flapping or otherwise playing up then!
The stay looks to be a much nicer design than any I've seen so far. About the bonnet in the wind - it takes about 2 minutes to lift the bonnet off the car totally and take it indoors out of harms way. No chance of it flapping or otherwise playing up then!
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