Fitting Bonnet Struts
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:13 pm
As requested here is a write up on how to use a pair of boot struts to hold the bonnet :) I did this with my car nearly 2 years ago and have had no problems with using them!
Firstly you'll need a pair of these
to end up with this
To start with you'll need to remove the 'base' plate (the one with 2 screw holes in it) as you don't need it at the front. Then you'll need to drill the inner wing to mount the strut - use M8 bolts and get in behind the wheels to put bolts/spring washers on as the inner wing is not strong enough to tap and hold the bolt itself!
Mount the strut as follows
Dimensions A=35mm B=55mm this is the center for your 8mm drill hole
To figure out where to fit the other end to the bonnet you need to know the closed length of the gas struts (not easy to figure out as the struts are bloody strong!!) The closed length is 330mm.
I then measured 340mm (giving me 10mm play) across the inner wing
Mark a line with pencil (easy to wipe off afterwords) across onto the wing itself then close the bonnet - not completely tho
The black line is the line you just made @ 340mm from the strut mounting point. The red line is a new line that i transferred to the bonnet
Open the bonnet again and using a square (or do it by eye if you've not got one!) put a mark across to where you will be mounting the top of the strut
Again, drill an 8mm hole through the bonnets supports
This is already threaded so acts as its own bolt, I found you cant get away with not getting a nut onto the back of it as the weight of the bonnet pulls the bolt out after a few uses. The next bit is the most awkward job of the lot – getting a nut on!!
You can just about see the nylock nut I used – I found using a pencil magnet and an abundance of patience helped with this part!!!!
Once you get it fixed securely repeat the whole process on the opposite side – the bonnet definitely needs both of the gas struts! You can then put the struts on properly and enjoy
Firstly you'll need a pair of these
to end up with this
To start with you'll need to remove the 'base' plate (the one with 2 screw holes in it) as you don't need it at the front. Then you'll need to drill the inner wing to mount the strut - use M8 bolts and get in behind the wheels to put bolts/spring washers on as the inner wing is not strong enough to tap and hold the bolt itself!
Mount the strut as follows
Dimensions A=35mm B=55mm this is the center for your 8mm drill hole
To figure out where to fit the other end to the bonnet you need to know the closed length of the gas struts (not easy to figure out as the struts are bloody strong!!) The closed length is 330mm.
I then measured 340mm (giving me 10mm play) across the inner wing
Mark a line with pencil (easy to wipe off afterwords) across onto the wing itself then close the bonnet - not completely tho
The black line is the line you just made @ 340mm from the strut mounting point. The red line is a new line that i transferred to the bonnet
Open the bonnet again and using a square (or do it by eye if you've not got one!) put a mark across to where you will be mounting the top of the strut
Again, drill an 8mm hole through the bonnets supports
This is already threaded so acts as its own bolt, I found you cant get away with not getting a nut onto the back of it as the weight of the bonnet pulls the bolt out after a few uses. The next bit is the most awkward job of the lot – getting a nut on!!
You can just about see the nylock nut I used – I found using a pencil magnet and an abundance of patience helped with this part!!!!
Once you get it fixed securely repeat the whole process on the opposite side – the bonnet definitely needs both of the gas struts! You can then put the struts on properly and enjoy