Bonnet/Hood hold open

[BobH]

Hello all, i'm always wary about leaving the bonnet open unattended, a gust of wind may blow it closed, with possible damage.  Today i had the bonnet open, not particularly windy, and sure enough, the bonnet started to fall, luckily enough i didn't have my head under it at the time, and i managed to stop it slamming shut

My question is, can adjusting the grooved "holder" forward, or backwards, fix it more securely, or can these holders wear beyond the point where they'll no longer hold the bonnet securely?  I've always just pulled the bonnet to close it, is it designed, so you should push it open slightly more, before you can pull it closed?  Seems like a bit of a dodgy design, if a gust of wind could potentially decapitate you!

[Lorsar]

Yes they can be adjusted and yes they can wear out.  Replacements are available for around US$20

Mine requires considerable effort to close

[Jonny B]

I would throw in a small word of caution. Don't get the hood really tight, closing it when there is a lot of pressure required, can cause some issues with the bolted connection at the front of the hood. My good friend had this issue, and had to have a body shop repair it.

I usually will give a little pull on the rod that runs right along the inner front fender to take pressure off the hood connection.

[zoegrlh]

Good advise. Being the the bonnet is aluminum, you can also dent it with force of your hands.  I pull a little forward then let the bonnet go down by it self, no pushing required. Now for the wind blowing it down my suggestion is to buy a towel at the lock so it it comes down it will not slam. Also make sure that you strap is tight when bonnet is up to assure that if wind catches it from underneath, it will not blow and cause damage to paint at bonnets edge.

[Pawel66]

Today i had the bonnet open, not particularly windy, and sure enough, the bonnet started to fall, luckily enough i didn't have my head under it at the time, and i managed to stop it slamming shut

I think the head is not so important - aluminum only. Catastrophe is when the bonnet shuts closed with wipers raised from the windhsield...

[BobH]

Thanks everyone, Pawel, i'm quite attached to my head, i've had it a long time, although if i had to have a new one, i guess i could ask for a George Clooney lookalike

I'll adjust the "holder" slightly, the bonnet really does close too easily, only takes the slightest draught

[Pawel66]

Bob, you may want to take a look - last time I had "lose holder" it was because the bolts holding bonnet hinges to the bonnet were lose on one side. I tightened them and the holder started holding stronger, like it did before.

I should have added: the threads in the bonnet are easy to destroy, which results in necessity to remove the bonnet and, e.g. install bear coils, one needs to be careful if checking if these bolts are tght.

[afibbe]

Just a thought.  Check the torsion spring on the hood and be sure it is installed correctly.  Also there is a chance, very small chance, that the torsion spring has lost some of its spring.

[WRe]

I use a similar solution.
...WRe

[BobH]

It's been breezy here lately, even though we're in July, supposedly our summer, so i haven't had a look yet.  I did think i may have lost some springiness over the years, so i'll check that and i'm pretty sure the bar is installed correctly, but i'll compare that as well with any pictures i can find

I like the look of WRE's safety catch, that should withstand a gale

Thanks

Bob

[Garry]

WRe


Great simple solution to an oft problem. Always fearful of leaving bonnet open outside.

[zoegrlh]

Just make sure that the strap is tight when bonnet is fully opened. Would not want a wind gust catch the bonnet and blow it forward and mare the finish at the fenders.