TVR Bonnet Hinge Prob

[BatleyBoy]

Just bought a Chim 500. Got a problem with one of the hinges on the bonnet. It has come semi-loose from the fibre glass. The bonnet can be moved up and down half an inch or so when its shut. It should be ok for now, but it needs sorting.
Any ideas for a fix. Or where I can take it for a fix? I'm based in West Yorks.

[Big Al.]

Bonnet off prop bonnet on side, align the screwed peg and then pour in some fluid 2 part epoxy resin, Devcon or the like.

Hope that helps.

[tvron]

I have had this problem and replaced whole hinge but not all that good design. I am sure I saw a thread on ph where some guy had made much more robust hinge assembly and was willing to make some for other people( I think the hinge pin went right the way throughto make stronger)perhaps someone will remenber who this was

[ATG]

Had exactly the same problem and had a go fixing it this weekend.

Removed the bonnet by unbolting one hinge completely from the bodywork with an allen key. On the other side, the lower allen key bolt was too corroded to take the allen key, so I had to remove the nut from the hinge rod and slide the bonnet sideways off the rod (needed to trim a bit of GRP off the inside of the bonnet to do this). With the bonnet out the way, I could get at the hinge properly and finish removing it.

The hinge rod was free to waggle around as the GRP around its base was badly cracked and loose. Having keyed the surface and with the loose stuff removed, the bolt could be moved up and down by several millimetres, and this allowed resin to be "pumped" into all the space around the back of the rod. I then added two tear-shaped pieces of glass fibre mat to reinforce the area.

150 miles later and having open and closed the bonnet a dozen times, it seems to have worked fine. Will have to see how long it lasts. First time I've ever doen a GRP repair. Dead easy job. Definitely falls into the "any idiot could have a go" category.