29 replies to this topic

[GraemeC]

The bonnet was raised yes, the rubbers exert the tiniest amount of preasure just to stop it from rattling. You can close the pins without pushing it down.

I would put money on this being the cause - either by air pressure pushing up on the bonnet at speed and either snapping the pins or forcing the bonnet sideways (a direction it can't normally go in due to the wing gutter it sits in).

Or more likely the front catch either not latching properly or being under stress as the pin will be sat in the catch at the wrong angle due to the bonnet not being down properly at the back. The catch was not designed to hold a bonnet that is not fitted properly.


Apart form that, all motorsport products are sold without any real guarantee due to their intended useage unless it is obviousl manufacturing faults.


Any pictures of how the pin actually 'failed'? What broke, or did it just come open?

[mini_mad69]

The bonnet was raised yes, the rubbers exert the tiniest amount of preasure just to stop it from rattling. You can close the pins without pushing it down.

I would put money on this being the cause - either by air pressure pushing up on the bonnet at speed and either snapping the pins or forcing the bonnet sideways (a direction it can't normally go in due to the wing gutter it sits in).

Or more likely the front catch either not latching properly or being under stress as the pin will be sat in the catch at the wrong angle due to the bonnet not being down properly at the back. The catch was not designed to hold a bonnet that is not fitted properly.


Apart form that, all motorsport products are sold without any real guarantee due to their intended useage unless it is obviousl manufacturing faults.


Any pictures of how the pin actually 'failed'? What broke, or did it just come open?

Ah right ok. the pin snapped, the actual vertical threaded bar with the hole in the top. The front catch was still latched when the pin snapped and held on, but the bonnet lifted at the back when it snapped and pulled the catch out.


I adjusted the catch when I raised the bonnet to make sure it latched properly.

[Burnard]

That pin should be incredibly hard to snap, so the chances are you should be able to claim something.
If you wanted to you could probably have the remains of the snapped bolt tested for defects, im pretty sure if there were any defects you would have a strong case against the company.

How old were the bonnet pins?



Chris

[mini_mad69]

That pin should be incredibly hard to snap, so the chances are you should be able to claim something.
If you wanted to you could probably have the remains of the snapped bolt tested for defects, im pretty sure if there were any defects you would have a strong case against the company.

How old were the bonnet pins?



Chris

Ummm im not sure, not old, I'll have a look in my project as it says in there. Around 6 weeks I think.

The bar that snapped first seems too be of poorer quality too that of the one that held on and bent the bonnet.

Ben

[mini_mad69]

my mistake around 2 months old.

[Burnard]

So long as you bought them from a UK company in the UK and they are under 6months old you will be able to get the bonnet pins replaced, under the sales of goods act. The seller must replace them, not the manufacturer.

You might also be able to sue them for damages to your vehical cause by selling faulty goods.

The SOGA is not effected by any, or lack of warrenty or garrenty.


Chris

[mk1leg]

Lucky escape I've seen worse over here and We only have a 40mph limit and shattered windscreen and dented roof............

[mini_mad69]

Lucky escape I've seen worse over here and We only have a 40mph limit and shattered windscreen and dented roof............

Nightmare, well it did flip over the side of the car, glad it didn't do the windscreen. Just waiting for the garage to be finished, then I'll repaint the front end.

[LunaMini]

I'm guessing your in Bridgend Wales, I have these for sale in the Forest of Dean, bidding ends in a few hours!

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=STRK:MESELX:IT


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...=STRK:MESELX:IT

x

[mymini007]

You are up here next week, You can have your pic of 2 bonnets, get some bungees on it for now. You are helping me do some work so consider it a freebie.

[mini_mad69]

I'm guessing your in Bridgend Wales, I have these for sale in the Forest of Dean, bidding ends in a few hours!

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=STRK:MESELX:IT


<a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170371870694&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...=STRK:MESELX:IT</a>

x

Thanks for the offer

You are up here next week, You can have your pic of 2 bonnets, get some bungees on it for now. You are helping me do some work so consider it a freebie.

Cheers buddy, I've been offered a freebie of a nice person in my club so im going to go with that as I can get it today.


The bonnet is currentyl bolted down at the back and on the catch on the front and with some tieing wire just incase. I can't get the catch too undo no matter how hard I pull on the bonnet though. So it's weird why it came off yesterday.

[rosco454]

I had a similar thing happen to me on an mini i had a few years back,bonnet was pinned at the back and used the catch at the front.

I was diving along at about 60 and the catch just randomly let go,bonnet bent similar to yours but in both corners,pulled the scuttle downwards near the pins,dinted the roof and cracked the windscreen.The bonnet catch was definitely closed properly before hand and had no problems with it afterwards even when swinging off the bonnet to test it.

I would think the chances of you getting anything from the manufacturer is close to nil to be honest.

[CobraV8]

I reckon it has to do with the car flexing cornering hard. My first Mini didnt have pins, and never came open on the road. Take it to the racetrack, and sure enough pop - up onto the safety catch. So... a bungy cord for the rest of the day, and then pins from then on. I personally keep the catch as well, and the hinges, just add front pins.

I have seen too many bonnets bent by people opening front catches and bending the bonnet up (thinking there is a hinge) to want to use rear pins. Plus having the bonnet lying around on the ground is asking for someone to stand on it, or the wind to flip it over. My Cobra bonnet is like this - and it annoys me.

[mini_mad69]

I reckon it has to do with the car flexing cornering hard. My first Mini didnt have pins, and never came open on the road. Take it to the racetrack, and sure enough pop - up onto the safety catch. So... a bungy cord for the rest of the day, and then pins from then on. I personally keep the catch as well, and the hinges, just add front pins.

I have seen too many bonnets bent by people opening front catches and bending the bonnet up (thinking there is a hinge) to want to use rear pins. Plus having the bonnet lying around on the ground is asking for someone to stand on it, or the wind to flip it over. My Cobra bonnet is like this - and it annoys me.

I was going down a dual carridgway


My bonnet has never opened before, even under the hardest of cornering.


The pin snapped first before the catch came open anayway.

[midridge2]

only reasons for a bonnet catch to come open is broken spring/weak spring/spring becomes detatched, or badly adjusted peg or catch, wear on the peg or catch.