15 replies to this topic

[IronmanG]

I made the mistake of changing my bonnet hinges to the quick release minispares ones. Cant open the bonnet without hitting the wipers🙄
I talked to MS and they said yep had a few phone calls about them. It seems there was a variation of the hinges they didn't know about so they don't fit.
Anyway I'm getting bored with taking the wipers off to open the bonnet and then I scratched the paint putting them back on when I slipped🙈
So I want to put some normal ones back on. My old ones appear to be the same shape as clubman hinges? Slightly more rounded than the normal 1980-on hinges
Pictures on minispares aren't great so on minisport mine look like SMB 182/3
whereas I would have thought they should be more like BMP0348.
Any insights please?

[nicklouse]

Not aware of there being any special bonnets or hinges for the pickups.

 

what year is yours? 

[Steam]

Just change back to your old ones??

[IronmanG]

Not aware of there being any special bonnets or hinges for the pickups.

what year is yours?

1980

[IronmanG]

Just change back to your old ones??

Yes I will do that this weekend but they are pretty bent and rusty so I want to replace them. Just not sure if they were the right ones in the first place. And as the bonnet was positioned with the QR ones I hope it doesn't mess the gaps up

[nicklouse]

 

Not aware of there being any special bonnets or hinges for the pickups.

what year is yours?

1980

 

Mine was an 82 and they were that same as the round nose ones. 
 

all I can suggest is post up some pictures. And as you change over some side by side pics. 
 

i do remember things being tight when lifting the bonnet but no more so than any other Mini.

[IronmanG]

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[nicklouse]

Looking at those pics it just looks like they put the slot in too deep.

 

not that I have anything to compare to but your look just like I expected.

[IronmanG]

Ok I fitted the old ones back on today. Right sod getting to the nearside one.
The bonnet now opens further as is obvious from the extra curve on the hinge.
BUT.
It still doesn't pass the windscreen wipers. They are a set of minispares ones. The heavy duty version. Maybe they are deeper than standard? Or perhaps the bush kit need to be cut lower. Am going to Bingley so I can have a look at some options there

Edited by IronmanG, 22 January 2023 - 04:54 PM.

[imack]

I think a lot of the problem is that the currently available wiper arms seem to park the wipers an inch or two above the screen rubber and the arms protrude further from the screen.
My original 1972 arms (fitted with 11" blades from an Austin 1300) sit lower and closer to the screen and give a minimum of 1/4" clearance with the bonnet.

Attached Files

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[IronmanG]

I think a lot of the problem is that the currently available wiper arms seem to park the wipers an inch or two above the screen rubber and the arms protrude further from the screen.
My original 1972 arms (fitted with 11" blades from an Austin 1300) sit lower and closer to the screen and give a minimum of 1/4" clearance with the bonnet.

Yep. And looking at yours I'm sure the wipers are thicker on mine. Only takes 5mm

[GraemeC]

DUF2 on the forum had the same problem - not sure how he resolved it, maybe drop him a PM

[IronmanG]

DUF2 on the forum had the same problem - not sure how he resolved it, maybe drop him a PM

Lovely cheers

[Ethel]

The hinges can't be the problem.

 

They'll all pivot around the same bolt located by the brackets on the body. The shape of the hinge only allows it itself to clear the scuttle panel. If you visualise a rod going through both hinge pivots; the offending bits of bonnet would describe a cylinder around that if it could swing through a full revolution. You need the wipers to be inside that. Moving that imaginary rod farther from the fouling bonnet and/or closer to the wipers, if possible to do it enough, will be the way.... or move the wipers.

[Red Riley]

I thought that the bonnet hitting the wipers was just normal. Mine on my Elf have always hit. I bought a set of the Minivation hinges made specifically for the Elf and they were just not worth messing with. I could never get the back of the bonnet to sit down. I put the old ones back on.

Edited by Red Riley, 23 January 2023 - 01:48 PM.