Bonnet rattle?
Discussion
I have noticed a rattle at slowish speeds in my 4.0 Chim. I couldn't find anything inside that could be causing it, but on closer inspection of the bonnet, I noticed that the top corner on the drivers side has a little bit of triangular rubber glued to it, where-as the passenger side does not. This seems like the culprit.
Is this rubber standard or has the prrvious owner stuck it on? And what would be the best way to sort it out on the passenger side?
Is this rubber standard or has the prrvious owner stuck it on? And what would be the best way to sort it out on the passenger side?
I've has a lot of trouble with this.
The bonnet is held clear of the bulkhead by eccentric adjusters halfway up the bonnet, which sit in crude notches in the bonnet sides. Proper alignment is acheived by adjustment of these eccentric adjusters and the bonnet hinge brackets at the front, which have 10mm holes for 6mm bolts, allowing quite a lot of adjustment.
The eccentric adjusters do wear, and the whole arrangement is sloppy at best. If the bonnet gets too close to the bulkhead it will start to rattle as it flexes.
I have used a little clear silicone sealant to act as a cushion. On my car if I get the bonnet adjusted so it looks right with the line of the wings, its a little too close to the bulkhead. I could cut back the bonnet edges but am loathe to do so. The silicone is a compromise, and I guess thats what the bit of foam you have found was also.
Anyone got a better solution?
I have noticed that the later facelft cars are different under the bonnet - the alloy cross braces have gone, and there is more insulation type material. My guess would be that the bonnet itself is more rigid on the later cars. Mine is April 96.
The bonnet is held clear of the bulkhead by eccentric adjusters halfway up the bonnet, which sit in crude notches in the bonnet sides. Proper alignment is acheived by adjustment of these eccentric adjusters and the bonnet hinge brackets at the front, which have 10mm holes for 6mm bolts, allowing quite a lot of adjustment.
The eccentric adjusters do wear, and the whole arrangement is sloppy at best. If the bonnet gets too close to the bulkhead it will start to rattle as it flexes.
I have used a little clear silicone sealant to act as a cushion. On my car if I get the bonnet adjusted so it looks right with the line of the wings, its a little too close to the bulkhead. I could cut back the bonnet edges but am loathe to do so. The silicone is a compromise, and I guess thats what the bit of foam you have found was also.
Anyone got a better solution?
I have noticed that the later facelft cars are different under the bonnet - the alloy cross braces have gone, and there is more insulation type material. My guess would be that the bonnet itself is more rigid on the later cars. Mine is April 96.
Phil, mine is also an April '96, just thought I'd throw that in.
On mine the passenger side of the bonnet was juswt tapping the bulkhead at the base of the windscreen.
I used a bit of the rubber seal from the boot of one of my other cars
you know the sort that pushes over the lip, cut about a 4 inch strip from it and pushed it on to the lip on the underside of the bonnet - make sense?
Works a treat, not more rattles - oh and the boot doesn't leak on the other car either!!!
On mine the passenger side of the bonnet was juswt tapping the bulkhead at the base of the windscreen.
I used a bit of the rubber seal from the boot of one of my other cars
you know the sort that pushes over the lip, cut about a 4 inch strip from it and pushed it on to the lip on the underside of the bonnet - make sense? Works a treat, not more rattles - oh and the boot doesn't leak on the other car either!!!
quote:
I have noticed that the later facelft cars are different under the bonnet - the alloy cross braces have gone, and there is more insulation type material. My guess would be that the bonnet itself is more rigid on the later cars. Mine is April 96.
Mine is a 99, and is as you describe, but I still get the rattle, so I guess it isn't more rigid.
If the bonnet is too close to the bulkhead try raising the catch a little (obviously not to much otherwise it will be proud of the wings).
If it won't go up because it is on the highest stting for the bracket (as mine was) then widen the hole, through which the securing bolt passes, with a file. Don't forget to do the eccentric adjusters for a nice rigid fit
Edited by macca on Friday 16th November 18:12
If it won't go up because it is on the highest stting for the bracket (as mine was) then widen the hole, through which the securing bolt passes, with a file. Don't forget to do the eccentric adjusters for a nice rigid fit
Edited by macca on Friday 16th November 18:12
Mark, the boot seal rubber sounds a good idea, shouldn't look too naff when the bonnet is opened either. With the silicone splodges mine looks like something weird sh!t on the bulkhead! I had thought of some of the edging that they used to use on bike fairings back in the seventies, but a/ I don't know if you can still get it, and where from, and b/ it would probably be almost as rigid as the bonnet and not reduce the rattling anyway. Flexible boot seal sounds a much better bet, thanks.
Macca, yes I hadn't thought of the bonnet catch as a third mounting point, but it is of course. I'll try adjusting that too.
Anyone any suggestions for tidying up the bonnet catch area? Its an eyesore, very messy.
Macca, yes I hadn't thought of the bonnet catch as a third mounting point, but it is of course. I'll try adjusting that too.
Anyone any suggestions for tidying up the bonnet catch area? Its an eyesore, very messy.
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