Bonnet fitting help please

Bonnet fitting help please

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Discussion

KugaWestie

Original Poster:

126 posts

90 months

Friday 23rd September 2022
quotequote all
When I bought my car the bonnet was not fitted on the front hinges, just laid in position (it was a non runner so trailered).

I am now almost done with paint prep and am trying to refit the bonnet but am struggling to get all the bracket bolts in and also get the bonnet in the right position, so any advice appreciated please!

The bonnet is on the car, but I can only get the top bolts in on the brackets. I have tried pushing and pulling the bonnet to get the bottom bolts in but just cannot get the holes to align for some reason. See photos below.

Drivers side


Passengers side


Bonnet from above, sitting too far forward

Drivers


Passenger


And finally it is sitting too high, which I guess is due to the bottom bolts not being in



Is there a specific way/sequence to fit the bonnet?

Classic Chim

12,424 posts

148 months

Friday 23rd September 2022
quotequote all
You need a helper or spare pair of hands.
Loosen those top bolts out a tad, lift the bonnet from the front up and back then simply turn your bracket enough to get bottom bolts in. You will struggle on your own.
Once all bolts are in you will need to set bracket roughly central and nip up.
Drop bonnet in place then decide if it needs to go up/ down in or out, L/R and adjust via loosening and repositioning each bracket.
It’s a pain in the arse but once you have the bolts in becomes a lot easier to adjust.

KugaWestie

Original Poster:

126 posts

90 months

Friday 23rd September 2022
quotequote all
Classic Chim said:
You need a helper or spare pair of hands.
Loosen those top bolts out a tad, lift the bonnet from the front up and back then simply turn your bracket enough to get bottom bolts in. You will struggle on your own.
Once all bolts are in you will need to set bracket roughly central and nip up.
Drop bonnet in place then decide if it needs to go up/ down in or out, L/R and adjust via loosening and repositioning each bracket.
It’s a pain in the arse but once you have the bolts in becomes a lot easier to adjust.
Thanks.

So lift the bonnet and tip it towards the rear or front of the car?

Classic Chim

12,424 posts

148 months

Friday 23rd September 2022
quotequote all
KugaWestie said:
Thanks.

So lift the bonnet and tip it towards the rear or front of the car?
Towards rear of car.
Lift it up at the front ( use an old towel ) and stuff towel between front of bonnet and the ledge it sits very close too, at the moment your bottom bolts won’t go in as the bonnet is clashing with that ledge. Just lift bonnet up enough to clear that edge and the whole thing should now come back, the bonnet pivoting on the Bush should allow the bracket to turn into position with the bottom holes.
I think I fitted mine by putting bottom bolts in first as then when you lift bonnet it easily (relative term) pivots the bracket backwards and in line with top bolt holes.

Basically I think your issue is the front ledge and under face of bonnet are clashing with the ledge ( for a better word) stopping you getting the bonnet back so try leaning bonnet back towards windscreen then lifting it from the front and pushing it back so brackets line up, leave enough space when you tilt bonnet back to get your hand in there so about 10-15 degrees past vertical to get brackets in line then lift it up enough to slip towel between the bonnet and ledge so it can take some of the weight then try and get bolts in.
Trial and error comes to mind but I think it’s the ledge that’s causing your issue.

Eta if your bonnet hinges have been taken off or adjusted in the past you might find once the bolts are in and you’ve used up any movement they have to get bonnet back in line, if it’s still sitting proud or forward of its front line you have little choice but take them off and wind the brackets in closer to the rose Bush so drawing bonnet further back once in place.

You need to get both bolts in place before making that call. The brackets can move a few mm which will draw the bonnet back quite a bit so get bolts in and adjust those first to see if it lines up.



It can take 10 mins or an hr. it’s a bd biggrin
Make tea and allow a morning to get it lined up biggrin




Edited by Classic Chim on Friday 23 September 21:41