Gas strut bonnet stay

[Roy_S2]

At Diamond Rock I noticed a red S with a gas strut bonnet stay. Is that anyone on here? I thought it was a good idea and i'm interested in parts used etc.

[tvrgit]

Sounds like Dave Bruce's. If so, I have the same strut - it's off a Jaguar XJS, look on ebay they cost less than £20.

[Roy_S2]

Nice one. I don't suppose you have a photo or details of the bracket? I'm not normally one to copy but it looked a nice job so wanted to produce something similar.

[tvrgit]

Roy, I am sad enough to have photos of everything...

On the top mount, I had the bolt going through into a captive nut (which uncaptivated itself) but later I fixed it - I took off the wee plate, put a bolt through from the back with a locknut on, then popriveted the plate back on, then attached the strut and another bolt.





I didn't make any special brackets, I just used the standard bottom bracket after I had taken the original stupid bonnet stay out. Dave (the one I think you saw) had a nice alloy bracket made up because he likes them...

SO you buy the Jag XJS strut, a couple of bolts and nylocs and some washers and it's a piece of the proverbial!

Edited by tvrgit on Friday 4th September 14:19

[Roy_S2]

Cheers tvrgit! Nice Photos. I'm glad there are people as sad as you. Just kidding! I was worried about the little screws ripping out of the fibreglass once the bonnet was down but obviously they are fine! Makes the job, which is now added to the winter job list, a bit easier. Thanks again!

[ketvrin]

That looks great... when you release the bonnet catch, I presume the bonnet is heavy enough to stay put until you lift the bonnet and the strut just keeps it up ? I just had visions of it popping open like the boot and damaging the front (some more...)

Kevin

[tvrgit]

ketvrin said:

That looks great... when you release the bonnet catch, I presume the bonnet is heavy enough to stay put until you lift the bonnet and the strut just keeps it up ? I just had visions of it popping open like the boot and damaging the front (some more...)

Kevin

No the bonnet is heavy enough - it just springs off the catches and sits there - also, remember that when the bonnet is down the strut lies horizontal so is pushing backwards rather than upwards.

[GreenV8S]

That's all well and good, but you seem to have lost the feature where the wind lifts the bonnet far enough to release the stay and then drops it on the back of your head. Can I trust you'll be reinstating this important feature in the next version?

[pies]

GreenV8S said:

That's all well and good, but you seem to have lost the feature where the wind lifts the bonnet far enough to release the stay and then drops it on the back of your head. Can I trust you'll be reinstating this important feature in the next version?

Next versaion will have a small hammer attached via a length of string so when open it will constantly whack you on the head

[tvrgit]

GreenV8S said:

That's all well and good, but you seem to have lost the feature where the wind lifts the bonnet far enough to release the stay and then drops it on the back of your head. Can I trust you'll be reinstating this important feature in the next version?

This feature can be installed as a no-cost option
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by removing the circlip in the top of the gas strut, allowing the piston to shoot straight out. This also reinstates the OE ability to scrape the bonnet unexpectedly when opening it.

[Roy_S2]

Could you post dimensions of the gas strut tvrgit; both the main body length and the full open length. I was going to see if I can get a strut thats the same size but that push fits onto a ball fitting rather than bolting on permanently so I could take it off temporarily and open the bonnet further if needed.

[tvrgit]

Roy_S2 said:

Could you post dimensions of the gas strut tvrgit; both the main body length and the full open length. I was going to see if I can get a strut thats the same size but that push fits onto a ball fitting rather than bolting on permanently so I could take it off temporarily and open the bonnet further if needed.

Can't get dimensions - I keep the car miles away and won't be visiting until the weekend.

I simply unbolt the top or bottom mounting to open the bonnet further - it takes about 20 seconds.

[Mr Plow]

Dimensions would be really good, can't find an XJS locally, so would like to try and find alternatives.

Thanks

[Barkychoc]

Plus I guess any numbers on the strut?
Nice work there TVRGIT - the other advantage is that it you're on uneven ground you don't have to force the bonnet open to engage the old style support.

[tvrgit]

I'll measure the open length tomorrow and note any part nos. I got mine on ebay - search for xjs bonnet strut (although all the ones on there look more expensive than I paid, I see you can buy a pair - maybe share the cost between 2 of you?)

[tvrgit]

Right the "open" length is about 512mm between centres - didn't measure the body length.

It's a Woodhead strut and the markings are:

Edited by tvrgit on Friday 4th September 14:19

[Barkychoc]

£14 for a new gas strut, doesn't seem worth messing about with a breakers to me. See Below, though its £23 when they have added the carriage & VAT.

BD48027 is the significant bit.

http://www.britishparts.co.uk/.sc/ms/dd/Jaguar%20X...

Chris

Edited by Barkychoc on Sunday 12th August 21:45

[AutoAndy]

Nice idea..I think I could try this. I presume I dont need the old bonnet stay any more, as it never held in place anyway.

Question: Does it give much clearance under the front of the bonnet to the road when open, similar to the usual stay to avoid grounding?

[tvrgit]

AutoAndy said:

Nice idea..I think I could try this. I presume I dont need the old bonnet stay any more, as it never held in place anyway.

No

AutoAndy said:

Question: Does it give much clearance under the front of the bonnet to the road when open, similar to the usual stay to avoid grounding?

Yes

[Roy_S2]

I hate to be a pest but it would be useful to know the body length also. The reason: I have found a place that sells stainless gas struts, which suits my tarted up engine bay a little better , so I need to find one amongst their stock that will do the job. They are about £40 so not silly money. Delivery is £6.50 which does bump it up a bit though so I don't want to make a mistake and order the wrong size.