Thread: Series 3 (Stage 1) bonnet hinges splitting

Ok i went out & took a couple of pics .Not the best as its dark & its just a series 3 bonnet..Hope the stage one hinges arent to differant as thats what i'm putting on Harry the full stage one front end.






Maybe your still puting them on the KIWI way

Originally Posted by banjo

Maybe your still puting them on the KIWI way

From behind?

Nah - arms too short.

Thanks for those pix. I'll check mine.

I had problems with the bought ones (might be a brand issue) so I have made my own hinge inserts out of breadboard plastic. Probably HDPE I think. You need a good thick breadboard or you can buy it just in blocks or strips. It gets used a lot by woodworkers for slides on jigs as it is hard but also slippery.

Cheers,

TimJ.

Originally Posted by drifter

Has anyone else had problems with the plastic hinge inserts on the bonnets?

I can put in 2 new hinges, open the bonnet, close the bonnet and the hinges are split.

I don't know whether the problem is heightened by the Stage 1 bonnet (bigger) or whether it happens on all Series 3 bonnets.

Do the hinges require lube?

How 'tight' should the surrounding metal loop be? (mine is fairly loose and you can nearly lift the hinge out when the bonnet is down).

Thanks in advance.

I'd guess that if the metal hoop on the bulkhead is rough or rusty it could cause a problem. When you open the bonnet you then twist the bush (by the slot) against the friction in the hoop. That would cause them to break.
Try cleaning up the inside of the hoops and adding some graphite powder when you re-assemble.


Colin

Thanks

Hey Old Sheep Chaser,

CBC in Fyshwick have teflon/nylon rod (strong and not brittle) that would be about the right diameter - get a small length and cut to size, drill out the center to the required size and slot as needed - will not break like the cheap plastic originals.

This last post raises the point - the slot is not in the centre. It is offset, and when inserting the hinge the narrower shoulder should be towards the windscreen. Having them the wrong way may be the original problem.

John

If it's the slot thats loose that will be the reason it's splitting.

A bush like the bonnet ones need to be a nice fit on the slot or they just twist apart.