Discussion
Sorry if this has been on here before, but does anyone know where I can get bonnet struts for 86, Series 2 350i pleas. Not sure what car they came off. Looked in Steve Heath's book and couldn't find. Thanks, Anya
Thankfully just got her back after failing MOT and having to have driveshaft off to do UJs !
Thankfully just got her back after failing MOT and having to have driveshaft off to do UJs !
Correct rams are rated at 100 Newtons. If you fit significantly stronger ones you risk ripping the mountings out of the bonnet, boot or shell.
I found this out the hard way when one ripped out of my Esprit tailgate: I'd never noticed before but it was rated at 217N when the original was 150 or so... so it CAN happen, despite people saying it does't
The Esprit even had a steel reinforcement inside the double-skinned tailgate, that the Wedges don't. That snapped as well.
IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.
I found this out the hard way when one ripped out of my Esprit tailgate: I'd never noticed before but it was rated at 217N when the original was 150 or so... so it CAN happen, despite people saying it does't
The Esprit even had a steel reinforcement inside the double-skinned tailgate, that the Wedges don't. That snapped as well. IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.
wedg1e said:
Correct rams are rated at 100 Newtons. If you fit significantly stronger ones you risk ripping the mountings out of the bonnet, boot or shell.
I found this out the hard way when one ripped out of my Esprit tailgate: I'd never noticed before but it was rated at 217N when the original was 150 or so... so it CAN happen, despite people saying it does't The Esprit even had a steel reinforcement inside the double-skinned tailgate, that the Wedges don't. That snapped as well.
IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.
I found this out the hard way when one ripped out of my Esprit tailgate: I'd never noticed before but it was rated at 217N when the original was 150 or so... so it CAN happen, despite people saying it does't
The Esprit even had a steel reinforcement inside the double-skinned tailgate, that the Wedges don't. That snapped as well. IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.
Are the boot ones 100N as well?
cdt said:
wedg1e said:
Correct rams are rated at 100 Newtons. If you fit significantly stronger ones you risk ripping the mountings out of the bonnet, boot or shell.
I found this out the hard way when one ripped out of my Esprit tailgate: I'd never noticed before but it was rated at 217N when the original was 150 or so... so it CAN happen, despite people saying it does't The Esprit even had a steel reinforcement inside the double-skinned tailgate, that the Wedges don't. That snapped as well.
IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.
I found this out the hard way when one ripped out of my Esprit tailgate: I'd never noticed before but it was rated at 217N when the original was 150 or so... so it CAN happen, despite people saying it does't
The Esprit even had a steel reinforcement inside the double-skinned tailgate, that the Wedges don't. That snapped as well. IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.
Are the boot ones 100N as well?
Yes.
True. Usually the boot ones don't need so much 'oomph' so my second top tip for today is to save the old ones off the bonnet to use on the boot, for when they get a bit knackered.
Finally, you can quite often let gas out of these struts via a bleed screw. I believe the technique is to use a pair of bathroom scales - 100N equates to about 10kg force on the scales. You let out some gas until the force on the scales to compress the strut drops to 10kg.
Finally, you can quite often let gas out of these struts via a bleed screw. I believe the technique is to use a pair of bathroom scales - 100N equates to about 10kg force on the scales. You let out some gas until the force on the scales to compress the strut drops to 10kg.
IIRC the two Rangey rams I got from a breakers near Derby were rated at 200N. SO I never used them, they're still in the garage and if you want to risk your bonnet you're welcome to them.[/quote]
Oh sorry, didn't see that, so thank you - but you're not making it sound a good option !!
adam quantrill said:
True. Usually the boot ones don't need so much 'oomph' so my second top tip for today is to save the old ones off the bonnet to use on the boot, for when they get a bit knackered.
Finally, you can quite often let gas out of these struts via a bleed screw. I believe the technique is to use a pair of bathroom scales - 100N equates to about 10kg force on the scales. You let out some gas until the force on the scales to compress the strut drops to 10kg.
Last time I checked mine out on the calibrated scales at work they were dead on spec. and both ends could do with a bit more force to "keep it up" as was said to the vicar. Finally, you can quite often let gas out of these struts via a bleed screw. I believe the technique is to use a pair of bathroom scales - 100N equates to about 10kg force on the scales. You let out some gas until the force on the scales to compress the strut drops to 10kg.
I would be careful about letting the gas out too quickly as it is a bit of a one way process!
I bought ONE from TVR car parts and it was about 45 notes...adjustable strut so you get it just right for the bonnet but still a lot of wonga!
I tried all sorts of motor factors but didnt know the spec so ended up going for this one!
Would be keen to know which one it is as ill buy more!
I tried all sorts of motor factors but didnt know the spec so ended up going for this one!
Would be keen to know which one it is as ill buy more!
On the 3rd of May 2006 leorest said:
100N printed on the body. Not very legible.
They appear to be the same all round.
My quick measurements give...
20 mm from centre of ball to end of body.
250mm body length (not including the ball fixings)
200 mm exposed shaft length.
20 mm from the end of the shaft to centre of ball fixing.
I measured the force on mine a few years ago and they appear to be in spec yet the boot is a bit lazy (has Zender spoiler) and the bonnet doesn't hold if you are on a slight slope or if you breath on it. Adjustable pressure would be an advantage especially for those SEAC boys with picnic tables on the back
Hope that's enough numbers for you.
Leo
Clicky They appear to be the same all round.
My quick measurements give...
20 mm from centre of ball to end of body.
250mm body length (not including the ball fixings)
200 mm exposed shaft length.
20 mm from the end of the shaft to centre of ball fixing.
I measured the force on mine a few years ago and they appear to be in spec yet the boot is a bit lazy (has Zender spoiler) and the bonnet doesn't hold if you are on a slight slope or if you breath on it. Adjustable pressure would be an advantage especially for those SEAC boys with picnic tables on the back
Hope that's enough numbers for you.
Leo
IMHO, (I hate spending money) I'd go to the boneyard and take a pair the same length
off any other car.... a strut's a strut and there's no sense in paying 10x the ammount for one
when some other car makers uses the exact same one. (it's not like TVR was original were they?)
If the mounting holes are the wrong size, buy an appropriate bushing.... or BUSHES for you brits,
(never mind the dictionary says BUSHING is a brit word etymology wise)
off any other car.... a strut's a strut and there's no sense in paying 10x the ammount for one
when some other car makers uses the exact same one. (it's not like TVR was original were they?)
If the mounting holes are the wrong size, buy an appropriate bushing.... or BUSHES for you brits,
(never mind the dictionary says BUSHING is a brit word etymology wise)
Gerry A-trick........Go to www.strutsdirect.co.uk follow the prompts and will eventually come to F-SD02-100 and they are £17.33 plus all the post and packing malarky. ........cheers ug
edited to say....I use these regularly for our machines in work and not one has failed in years. Not your chromed variety but still works a treat.........
edited to say....I use these regularly for our machines in work and not one has failed in years. Not your chromed variety but still works a treat.........
Edited by uglymug on Thursday 17th May 09:16
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