11 replies to this topic

[hoppus]

Some very bad luck on my part, 2 weeks after a 1 1/2 year resto/ engine swap was complete. (I've spend ££££)

Was driving back for halfords and i honestly forgot to lock the bonnet, it's fiberglass to very light ect (and i use the locking bonnet pins)

Luckily i was only doing 20mph but still. the bonnet flew open and i couldn't see anything... managed to pull over safely ect.

 

The fiberglass bonnet cracked a little, ruined a little bit of my brand new respray... but life goes on. I can repair the fibreglass

 

The problem I have is that I think my bonnet hinges have stretched/ bent so much I cant shut the bonnet properly.

It's almost too far back on the scuttle panel. and the bonnet isn't far forward enough to clear it. I've tried bending the hinges but no luck they are solid!

For now I've just unbolted the bonnet, and have just secured it with the front pins.

 

I'm guessing i should just get some new hinges?

How easy are they to replace, i'm finding hard to even get a spanner in the area.

 

Also i have a 90's roundnose (bulkhead ect) with a clubby front end, what hinges should I be getting?

 

 

I'm so angry with my self as you can imagine, any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! 

 

 

[minidaves]

yeah bends the hinges when that happens you will need i guess clubman bonnet hinges

[hoppus]

yeah bends the hinges when that happens you will need i guess clubman bonnet hinges

 

Thought as much, anyway on knowing for sure? 

[Dusky]

Heat the hinges, then try again?

[hoppus]

Heat the hinges, then try again?

 

They are very oddly bent now, i'm not even exactly sure how now.

it's sort of bent, to the side, then further up.. to the other side.

They need to be lengthened about an inch somehow!

 

How much heat?

I have a hair dryer that is it   

Edited by hoppus, 17 January 2016 - 04:02 PM.

[hoppus]

http://www.ebay.co.u...Wm26rIsecu4fMuA

 

they apparently fit both so ill go with those!

[Dusky]

 

Heat the hinges, then try again?

 

They are very oddly bent now, i'm not even exactly sure how now.

it's sort of bent, to the side, then further up.. to the other side.

They need to be lengthened about an inch somehow!

 

How much heat?

I have a hair dryer that is it   

 

A blowtorch ;p Remove them and put them in a vice orso.. :)

[Cooperman]

Why not remove the hinges and fit 4 bonnet pins, 2 front & 2 rear. All you need to do is to make up a pair of triangular plates to go on the body at the back between inner wings and scuttle. That is what race cars have and it is then easy to remove the bonnet.

[hoppus]

Why not remove the hinges and fit 4 bonnet pins, 2 front & 2 rear. All you need to do is to make up a pair of triangular plates to go on the body at the back between inner wings and scuttle. That is what race cars have and it is then easy to remove the bonnet.

 

I did think about it, but then i have to drill holes in fibreglass, i have no idea if ill crack it ect, its freshly painted!

any tips?

 

I also thought about getting quick release hinge mounts like this

 

that way i can move the bonnet forward and back easily

 

[cal844]

Drilling fibreglass is easy, what i do is get some tape(masking tape is perfect), apply some over where you need the hole, mark the exact position and drill!

A handy tip is to drill from the outside through the panel.. Just make sure there is nothing behind it!

[Cooperman]

After drilling, fit a large stainless steel washer each side of the hole, bonded on with Araldite. That helps as it gives the pin a metal guide and prevents the GRP from splitting or cracking.

[The Principal]

I had this happen to me back in the eighties with a fibre glass Clubman bonnet it pulled both front bonnet pins through the inner wing whilst travelling in the fast lane of the M25, i reverted to a steel bonnet once was scary enough for me.