Bonnet lift at xxxmph
Discussion
Opened up the 500 for the first time in a while on Thurday evening last, and was slightly shocked (
) when the bonnet popped open at 150. When I came to a halt the bonnet wouldn't close again until I popped the catch - it was "shut" already. Seems the bonnet must have flexed until the retaining pin popped out of the catch.
Looks like the bonnet has been mounted a fraction too far forward.
Interesting experience though!
) when the bonnet popped open at 150. When I came to a halt the bonnet wouldn't close again until I popped the catch - it was "shut" already. Seems the bonnet must have flexed until the retaining pin popped out of the catch. Looks like the bonnet has been mounted a fraction too far forward.
Interesting experience though!
Common? I've had the car 7 years, hit 170mph+ on numerous occasions, and this is the first time its happened to me! Trust me, its the bonnet being mounted too far forward, or possibly a subtle (!) side effect of the Speed 12 conversion. It ain't the spoiler, the car had NEVER had one fitted.
The lip spoiler is (probably) more to do with cooling I suspect, but this has been argued before now!
The lip spoiler is (probably) more to do with cooling I suspect, but this has been argued before now!
Certainly heard this one before. I guess what is happening is that the bonnet is generating lift and therefore getting sucked upwards, making it more curved and therefore shortening it ... until the pin pulls out of the catch.
Cross winds certainly make mine lift alarmingly in front of the passenger's nose.
How far did the bonnet rise once it unclipped itself?
Cross winds certainly make mine lift alarmingly in front of the passenger's nose.
How far did the bonnet rise once it unclipped itself?
On the A1 t'other day at *well* over three figures and couldn't see the bonnet moving at all ... mind you, I probably didn't notice the flapping whilst keeping me eyes glued to the road!
Vic, is this the FIRST time since the nose work that you've been up to those speeds?
Obvioulsy they had the bonnet off to do the work, so that's where the problem lies, as you suspected, just remounted a tad differently, no?
>> Edited by MikeyT on Monday 28th April 17:11
Vic, is this the FIRST time since the nose work that you've been up to those speeds?
Obvioulsy they had the bonnet off to do the work, so that's where the problem lies, as you suspected, just remounted a tad differently, no?
>> Edited by MikeyT on Monday 28th April 17:11
Ive encountered this effect at any speed above 110mph - passengers normally get concerned before me as they can start counting spark plug leads etc as the bonnet lifts ever higher...I am interested to know what happened when the bonnet popped - how high did it go, could you drive on?
For info Ive had the bonnet examined by TVR to check if it or the torsion bars were losing rigidity but it is confirmed as being as good as new...!
:
For info Ive had the bonnet examined by TVR to check if it or the torsion bars were losing rigidity but it is confirmed as being as good as new...!
:Have had this a lot, My bonnet starts to lift at 100mph upwards, starts with a slight flap then gradually lifts. As said when you hit 140+ the bonnet can pull itself out of the catch, it will lift quite high then settle so that you can just see over it!!, it will allow you however to admire you engine whilst driving 
. The fitting of the lip spoiler DOES fix this problem!!! Cars after 96 have the slightly modified bonnet which has more of a lip near the window thus stopping it flapping even without the spoiler.
. The fitting of the lip spoiler DOES fix this problem!!! Cars after 96 have the slightly modified bonnet which has more of a lip near the window thus stopping it flapping even without the spoiler.It lifted about a foot, being a six footer I had no problem peering over the top.
Unlike when a similar thing happened in a Mini twenty years ago, when the bonnet ripped its way free and ripped itself neatly around the windscreen. It was a lot easier stopping the TVR from 150 than driving the Mini completely blind at 80.
I've checked the bonnet mounting and it does protrude about 1cm forward of the wings at the front, so it could stand some rearward adjustment.
Spoiler is a no-go for me, too many speed humps in the locality, and the car sits lower on the Nitrons than it used to.
Unlike when a similar thing happened in a Mini twenty years ago, when the bonnet ripped its way free and ripped itself neatly around the windscreen. It was a lot easier stopping the TVR from 150 than driving the Mini completely blind at 80.
I've checked the bonnet mounting and it does protrude about 1cm forward of the wings at the front, so it could stand some rearward adjustment.
Spoiler is a no-go for me, too many speed humps in the locality, and the car sits lower on the Nitrons than it used to.
I just rejected a rental property because of the number of speed bumps on the entrance to the estate. The house itself was ideal, but I counted fifteen bumps between the Main Road and the estate, on the most direct approach. The alternative was a detour of about 1 mile. It wasn't fun in the A8, let alone the Chim.
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