S2 Bonnet Pops Up Whilst Driving

[swimmer27]

Hi All
I'm sure this has been talked about before but my search revealed nothing. Whilst driving as soon as I hit a bump or pothole (hard not to with our roads in the UK) the offside of the bonnet pops up.
I spent a while yesterday adjusting the bonnet release pin/spring by loosening the 17mm nut and moving the pin/spring assembly, the first adjustment I did was to move the pin/spring in the direction towards the windscreen but this was too much as when I pulled on the bonnet release the bonnet would not pop up unless you pulled the bonnet up whilst pulling on the lever, very hard to do when on your own. I tried various adjustment but still the bonnet pops up when hitting a bump.
The slides that retract when you pull the cable release look ok and are well greased so could it be the pin that passes through the spring that has worn?
Any advice, mods etc would be appreciated.

[johnnywgk]

the pin only gets held on one side, if it's worn, can you turn it around?
i adjusted my bonnet to make mine stay in place.
really a job for two, as one can pull the lever, whilst other looks
to see what aint happening, it's a pain of a job, and time consuming to get
it right.

[CNHSS1]

Mine used to do that until i realsied that when i pulled the relase to open it, it only went part way back. I have to push the lever fully back to 'closed' to enusre the catch was fully home and stopped the bonnet popping undone over bumps and potholes
Craig

[swimmer27]

I did check to make sure the cable release was returning properly once the handle has been pulled and all seems ok.
I also rotated the pin whilst making my adjustments but still the bonnet pops up when hitting a bump. I will have a closer look tomorrow and compare the offside with the nearside pin just in case there is any visible wear.
Thanks for your replies so far.

[ketvrin]

I dont suppose you have wear at the hinge pin at the front do you? if so then the movement there will cause problems with the locating/securing pins

K

[phillpot]

You can't beat some good old fashioned leather straps and buckles, and get some for the bonnet while you're at it !

[Gerald-TVR]

I'm having new hinges made in Stainless Steel will post details when finished tomorrow no sorry today

[swimmer27]

ketvrin said:

I dont suppose you have wear at the hinge pin at the front do you? if so then the movement there will cause problems with the locating/securing pins

K

The hinge pin on both sides seem ok, I will have a proper look tonight.
The fabrication of stainless units seems a good idea.

[RAS]

I had a similar problem.

Discovered that it only happened if I closed the off-side first, once I got into the habit of closing the near-side first it stopped happening. Put it down to a feature of owning a TVR!!!

[swimmer27]

RAS said:

I had a similar problem.

Discovered that it only happened if I closed the off-side first, once I got into the habit of closing the near-side first it stopped happening. Put it down to a feature of owning a TVR!!!

My front bonnet hinge bolts seem ok so I tried shutting the bonnet nearside first then the offside so it will be interesting to see if this has helped, plan to have a ride down to the South coast over the Easter break.

[TJC46]

You also have adjustment on each of the pins themselves. The pin head has a slot in it you can screw this inwards to put more pressure on the spring or out to ease pressure. Give this a try it worked for me, Tom.

[swimmer27]

TJC46 said:

You also have adjustment on each of the pins themselves. The pin head has a slot in it you can screw this inwards to put more pressure on the spring or out to ease pressure. Give this a try it worked for me, Tom.

Thanks Tom But I have already made that adjustment too. Since closing the bonnet on the nearside first then the offside it behaved whilst having a spin around the block but the real test will be my run down to the south coast on Monday.
Paul

[swimmer27]

Well after just about every adjustment possible my bonnet still releases on the offside whilst driving, if anything it's now werse as it springs up before I even get out of my road! Does anyone know if you can still buy the pins/springs/latches?
To think I sold my 1000cc sports bike to fund this S2!! TVR ownership is now a reality.

[GreenV8S]

swimmer27 said:

Well after just about every adjustment possible my bonnet still releases on the offside whilst driving, if anything it's now werse as it springs up before I even get out of my road!

In that case it isn't adjusted right. The fact you've changed everything doesn't mean it's right!

From the sound of it the pins are trying to twist the bonnet so one side is preloaded. That could mean either the bonnet isn't set flat, or the pin lengths are wrong.

[swimmer27]

Update
I put some paint onto the pins to see where they were striking the retaining latch and noticed to pin needed to come foreward towards the windscreen by about 5mm but the pin was already adjusted as far foreward as possible so I removed the pin and spring and the using my Dremell drill/grinder I removed some of the metal from the bracket to the pin could travel towards the windscreen those few extra mm and I'm pleased to say after a quick spin around the block all seems ok.

[GreenV8S]

That would make me suspect that the bonnet was positioned too far forwards.

[johnnywgk]

just a thought, when i did mine, i cleaned the threads very well because
they were a pig to take off, and thought it would make it easier. Is it possible (now thinking about it) they are on a nylon lock nut. Like me
maybe we all tighten them up to the max, which makes the catch too low.
Maybe they should only get tightened a certain amout, so the hour glass
shape bit of the pin is at the right hight for the catch thingy to fit right.

same as last post, i know what i'm on about, but find it hard to put
into words.

Yes it's sweeps festival in rochester, i'm pzzzd again, but.....

HTH......if not, i'll do an edit monday