Bonnet removal

[dixiebabes]

I know I'm probably being a fanny but could someone just put my mind at rest. To remove the gas struts do I pull the plastic fixing clip out then just prise the ball and socket apart, I'm asking this cause everytime I'm told to prise something apart it usually snaps and leaves me shouting and swearing at it. Please put my mind at rest lads so I can go a
nd prise away till it pops off and not smashed. Ta lads

Edited by dixiebabes on Wednesday 22 June 10:48

Edited by dixiebabes on Wednesday 22 June 10:51

[adam quantrill]

Yes I use a small screwdriver to get the locking tab out about 5mm.

Then the socket pops off the ball with only small force - 2-4lbs. Don't force it!

I only remove the tops and leave the bottoms in place.

[Mr Tank]

Dixe

You are correct remove the plastic clip and prise away. Or better still we can get Zig up and he can cut it away!!!

I have missed some of your original post, have you found out what was the real problem?

Andy

Edited by Mr Tank on Wednesday 22 June 10:58

[dixiebabes]

Yes Andy looks like the head gasket bud, we are pulling the heads off in the next couple of days for further imvrestigation. Thanks for the replys guys its usually the simple obvious things that get me all the time. John (gaswedge) said the same but I just wanted to make doubly sure cause I have like I said a knack of snapping plastic things. Thanks again lads.

Dix

[mrzigazaga]

mmm..not sure if id want to cut them off but there is a hole to poke something into ...albeit a small one..Hole that is..

The hole is on each of the ends and there should be a slide catch that reveals the hole in which to insert a small screwdriver and lightly push down on..the reverse is they should just pop back on..I did the ones on my saab years ago and i believe they are the same..I could be wrong..I think wooly did his a while back..Where are you mate..Zig

[dixiebabes]

In sunny hartlepool by the sea zig. Alright its lashing down at the mo.

Dix

[mrzigazaga]

dixiebabes said:

In sunny hartlepool by the sea zig. Alright its lashing down at the mo.

Dix

Lol..You silly sausage i meant where is wooly..I should of put where are you wooly..Its been raining here too mate but hopefully it will rain itself out in time for BBWF...

[dixiebabes]

Sausages go on then make sure plenty of red sauce though.

Dix

[mrzigazaga]

Here are..enjoy..

But dont eat them all as you will end up looking like me..

[dixiebabes]

MMMMN ta

Dix

[grahamw48]

I knew I'd seen you somewhere before Mark.
.

[Grady]

Getting this back on track...

For what it's worth, the replacement struts over here fit on the same ball but use a wide-ish, flat spring metal clip that is bent to an approximate 'C' shape. It can be a bit tricky to pry it back evenly so it's just perched over the socket. (It wants to rotate and block the mouth of the socket). Once you snap/press the ball and socket together, press the clip in and the ends of the 'C' fit behind the ball - holding it together.

The old fittings are easier to use and I thank can be refitted on new struts. Grady

[mrzigazaga]

Yep..thats me..I was alright with the 50 hotdogs..35 beef burgers..25 large portions of chips..A gallon of whelks and winkles..and a barrel of pickled eggs but it was the 20 blocks of raspberry ripple..30 of chocolate and 10 of vanilla ice cream that finished me off..Not that keen on vanilla and it always gives me wind..

[grahamw48]

[wooly350i]

Getting them off is as you explained marky,no point in adding a load more tosh. However if your old ones are a bit tired then part no;GS8-18-200-250 from SGS engineering will get you some nice new shiny spanky ones,the wind won't blow my bonnet down now,infact the bonnet could probably launch a pint yonda when triggered from the closed position. Incase you need the ball socket that's part no;HTS2-M6-M8.
SGS are based in Derby by the way.
Wooly.

[Wedg1e]

Mind you only get 100N or so rated ones: most cars these days use 200N+ to lift their hatchbacks; the compressed tension will try to rip the fittings out of the wing and bonnet on a Wedge.

[mrzigazaga]

Good stuff john..That company looks ideal for the TVR struts although it only has 1986 onwards for mine even though it says "Tasmin"..I will call them as one of mine is bent and you have to pull the bonnet up..Its a nightmare if its windy as the bonnet slams shut..Cheers..Ziga

[Wedg1e]

Wind blew my Tasmin bonnet shut so hard the throttle linkage cracked the gel coat Not recommended.

The 390's struts have got weaker over the years I've had it to the point that I need a broomhandle to prop the bonnet open.

[mrzigazaga]

Wedg1e said:

Wind blew my Tasmin bonnet shut so hard the throttle linkage cracked the gel coat Not recommended.

OUCH..I think i will invest in some as its cheaper to replace them than a bonnet..I had a liitle bit chip off where the bonnet meets the windscreen wiper..Could of been worst.

[mrzigazaga]

If you have restless legs then you could be suffering from EDS..(Erectile dysfunction syndrome)..but fear not my friend as they actually make a mini hydraulic..Thats draulic not bok and comes with a hand held pump..(comes)Not with the pump..The pump helps you rise to the occasion the rest is left to gravity..