 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > GRP Bonnet Squint |
 
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637   
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When i bought my 110, i noted that the bonnet was slightly squint. The owner suggested the previous owner had fitted it and it was sitting on a chequer plate and pushing it off true.
I have lived with this "feature" for almost two years now, now I need to change it as it bugs me. I have bought a set of areocatches and brackets from eBay and intend to delete the current factory latch and hook system. Upon investigating the bonnet today I have discovered the real problem is that the centre point of the bonnet is being pushed out of position by the lock on the slam panel. As the GRP is weak it twists and gives the bonnet a kind of lip curl!!! So before I start I'd like to ensure the bonnet is sitting true(ish) before I start making any holes...... Can I adjust the centre slam latch? [URL=]  Click image to enlarge[/URL] Can I adjust the bonnet latch? [URL=] Click image to enlarge[/URL] If not then I plan on binning all the bits and relying totally on the aerocatches, which I'm happy to do, but just want to understand what I've got prior to drilling holes........ I'm assuming deleting the bonnet latches I wouldn't impact on the MOT in anyway? Cheers Andy Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  |
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13th Oct 2016 12:01pm |
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| gazman Member Since: 17 Aug 2015 Location: Liverpool Posts: 654  
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I can't see your pics buddy 2014 - current ..... 2003 defender td5 90 (my car)
2009 - current .... 2005 zx10r |
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13th Oct 2016 12:05pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897  
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The bonnet part is adjustable.
(I can see the pictures) |
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13th Oct 2016 12:09pm |
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637
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Thanks Laurie,
I'm assuming its up and down only, not laterally? Cheers Andy |
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13th Oct 2016 12:48pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347 
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The off centre bit is the actual catch. Compare the size of the bottom of the pin to the size of the shaft of the pin, it has to come over quite some way and had to be able to hold a bonnet with a spare wheel on it shut while bouncing around off road.
If your going down the aero catch route It may not be necessary to have the catch so I would remove the catch mechanism and the spring from the pin and just use it for location rather than locking. Would be worth having a word with you mot tester for his opinion though just to be sure. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197 Self confessed mileage hunter  |
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13th Oct 2016 12:55pm |
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| Laurie Member Since: 22 Feb 2008 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 2897
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duplicate
 |
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13th Oct 2016 1:18pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17874 
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The pin on the bonnet can be adjusted in and out to pull the bonnet down the correct amount. On a genuine (metal) bonnet the rubber buffers in the front corners are also adjustable in and out to complement the pin adjustment.
The receiver on the shut panel can be adjusted laterally (side-to-side and fore-and-aft) to ensure that it is correctly located directly below the pin on the bonnet. |
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13th Oct 2016 1:25pm |
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637
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Great stuff, thanks.
I'll adjust the mechanism first then go for the areocatches, if i can get it sitting square then I'm more confident in hacking the bonnet for the catches 
Cheers Andy |
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13th Oct 2016 1:42pm |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888 
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The slam panel part is adjustable and so is the bonnet pin.
If you use it off road you will regret choosing aero catches though. They're great when clean but once they get mud and grit in them they can start jamming and you have to wash all the grit out of them before you can open the bonnet. The military hooks are bomb proof in that regard, they just don't look as pretty - they also work with the existing pin and secondary latch. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/ |
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13th Oct 2016 2:34pm |
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637
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Hi Dave,
I hear what your saying, I don't do much offered, i have ventured off road, but vast majority of my driving is on road. Its a GRP bonnet, so my risk here is low, as if I hate it then I'm in two minds on buying a puma bonnet anyway 
Cheers Andy |
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13th Oct 2016 2:53pm |
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637
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Thanks gents,
When it's dry I'll have a go. Cheers AndyR |
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15th Oct 2016 2:58pm |
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637
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So today I have removed the from grill to investigate the bonnet squint....
Looking at the slam panel supports, is it possible to have the panel supports in the wrong way round? I see they are different part numbers so they are obviously handed. How can I tell which is which, could they have been installed back to front when the rad and intercooler was replaced (guess)!! Cheers Andy Photos to follow. |
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26th Nov 2016 4:42pm |
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| Chris86 Member Since: 15 Jul 2014 Location: South Yorks Posts: 798 
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Andy,
My bonnet is on the squint on my 110-I have adjusted it out slightly with the rubber 'stops' at either side that take up some of the slack- does the GRP version have them fitted- probably be an easy retro-fit if not that would take a lot of the twist out? Also, could you shim one of the hinges to reduce the height slighlly without it being noticed? My standard bonnet is on the squint- its made to look worse by the fact that the EA cut the chequerplate to fit using only a spoon and a not-very-straight edge, before finally making the bend at the front edge using a only an inappropriate sized hammer (or possibly an axe?!)- so it looks even worse! I think its a defender thing.... Chris |
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26th Nov 2016 9:32pm |
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| ROBBONTHEROCK Member Since: 23 Jun 2014 Location: Aberdeenshire Posts: 637
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Hi Chris,
Yes, having stripped the front end down, i reckon there isn't really much other options available to adjust it further than what it is. I think installing rubber adjusters are the only thing left to do (GRP bonnet doesn't have any fitted).... I have taken the slam panel supports out, wire brushed them and given them a coat of primer and a coat of hammerite. They were looking very neglected and well my OCD kicked in..... Think I might pull the trigger next week and go for a gal chassis, installed by local indy, we'll see, getting a cost in tomorrow, have had a cost from another indy already so hoping these guys are cheaper as they are closer to home (local garage). Watch this space. Cheers Andy |
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26th Nov 2016 9:45pm |
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