The Simpo bonnet stay

[simpo two]

For years I've been painfully aware that the bonnet stay is a tragic piece of design failure, no doubt researched by some primary school kids with a couple of coathangers. Judging by the recent threads on this subject, you agree.

I couldn't find a commercial solution I was happy with, so analysed what was wrong with the original version and determined to resolve it with the skills I had.

A section of anodised aluminium from B&Q is Araldited to the cross-piece, strengthening it but still looking presentable. The damaging Z-shape kink at the top of the stay is cut off and a self-tapper and washer used to retain it:



The stay is still free to rotate in two planes, essential for use.

To keep the joint stable, a washer is Araldited behind, being sure to leave some clearance for movement of the stay:



Clearly the cross-piece is best supported if the stay is vertical, so I made a simple ally bracket to provide a new lower mounting point. It's held in place behind one of the nuts that holds the expansion tank - so it can be removed at any time easily and without damaging the car.



And that, gentlemen, is that

Edited by simpo two on Thursday 17th August 12:14

[pupp]

Course, if you had the room to carry a set or two, you guys would have a full range of stays available for every occasion... I find a 5 iron does the job with no trouble

[simpo two]

No need, the butler brings my clubs along in the Range Rover Overfinch, and young ladies in very short skirts run and fetch them for me...



Actually that's not quite true

[pupp]

Looks a neat solution to what must be an annoying problem

[Wildfire]

simpo two said:

No need, the butler brings my clubs along in the Range Rover Overfinch, and young ladies in very short skirts run and fetch them for me...



Actually that's not quite true

But only if it was!

[barreti]

Nice job Simpo
You wouldn't believe how similar that is to my design.
I've finished my noddy guide so I'll post something up shortly.

Looks like you've got a 500 there (front swirl pot) so does the stay still avoid everything without having to modify it somewhere else?

[simpo two]

barreti said:

Looks like you've got a 500 there (front swirl pot) so does the stay still avoid everything without having to modify it somewhere else?

Yep, it folds back to the right and clips up in the far right corner exactly as usual. You can still put the bottom of the stay in the original bracket on the nearside wing, but having it vertical makes more mechanical sense.