Discussion
It appears the problem with my hood failing to seal may be due to the wrong struts for the rear part of the hood (fortunately spotted by Dougc!) I gather the chrome struts (fitted) are slightly longer and are intended for use Chimera. As a result the hood sits a little high and doesn't seal on the side windows (it's also a real pain to put up, because of the extra tension, and upsets the alignment of the targa panels slightly).
Can anyone suggest a solution?
It seems I have two options - either replace the struts with the correct item (the prefered solution).
Or try and remount the Chimera ones somewhere they fit properly. I'm rather worried by the prospect of drilling holes in the fibreglass and so on though.
Is there anywhere that would sell S-spec hood struts? Do you know what's involved in removing the current ones and fitting them?
Many thanks.
Can anyone suggest a solution?
It seems I have two options - either replace the struts with the correct item (the prefered solution).
Or try and remount the Chimera ones somewhere they fit properly. I'm rather worried by the prospect of drilling holes in the fibreglass and so on though.
Is there anywhere that would sell S-spec hood struts? Do you know what's involved in removing the current ones and fitting them?
Many thanks.
Sell the Chimaera ones on eBay and take early retirement... 
From what I can gather, the Chimaera struts are far superior to the S ones - provided they are mounted properly. I would persevere with getting them in the right place. If you are keen on getting hold of the original rattley S series struts, there'd probably be loads of people on here who would do you a swop...
...with some cash going your way, I should imagine.
From what I can gather, the Chimaera struts are far superior to the S ones - provided they are mounted properly. I would persevere with getting them in the right place. If you are keen on getting hold of the original rattley S series struts, there'd probably be loads of people on here who would do you a swop...
...with some cash going your way, I should imagine.
Stick with the Chim struts, they look much better and don't rattle. Unless of course you want to make some money as Geoff has suggested..... 
Fitting mine was easy. To get them correctly aligned fix the struts to the targa panels then make a hole in the correct point in the back of the car where they attach to the body. It's a simple case of then drilling the hole and bolting them on. The hole from the original struts will be covered by the new struts.
If your coming to S Club feel free to take a look at the ones on my car to get a feel for the correct position / tension.
Longers
Fitting mine was easy. To get them correctly aligned fix the struts to the targa panels then make a hole in the correct point in the back of the car where they attach to the body. It's a simple case of then drilling the hole and bolting them on. The hole from the original struts will be covered by the new struts.
If your coming to S Club feel free to take a look at the ones on my car to get a feel for the correct position / tension.
Longers
Ah - ok, so the Chimera ones can be made to fit? Why oh why couldn't whoever did it in the first place have finished the job, it's incredibly frustrating - I presume they just re-used the original holes, rather than drilling new ones. The windows seem to be reaching the top of their travel (i.e. correctly adjusted end stops) and yet there's still a few mm gap to the hood.
Keen to do something soon as I really want to get more regular use out of the car before the Great British summer ends. (Also need to get one of those car caps we discussed a while back for extra protection I reckon.)
Keen to do something soon as I really want to get more regular use out of the car before the Great British summer ends. (Also need to get one of those car caps we discussed a while back for extra protection I reckon.)
I've put them on mine, look so much better,
This will help... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
This will help... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Can't make it to S-Club I'm afraid gents. I'm playing with cars in a semi-professional capacity that weekend.
I'll have to take a look at what's involved. Is the panel they attach to just fibreglass? I just have visions of drilling the new hole and finding it cracks through to the old one or they're so close I just end up with a slot.
I'll have to take a look at what's involved. Is the panel they attach to just fibreglass? I just have visions of drilling the new hole and finding it cracks through to the old one or they're so close I just end up with a slot.
I had Chimaera struts on my S - and had no issues.
They are slightly longer, but it's a simple case of drilling a hole slightly further down.
Remove the original strut on ONE side, fit the Chimaera strut at the roof, then match the tension, drill a hole and secure on the back. Repeat on the other side.
They are slightly longer, but it's a simple case of drilling a hole slightly further down.
Remove the original strut on ONE side, fit the Chimaera strut at the roof, then match the tension, drill a hole and secure on the back. Repeat on the other side.
Agree with the comments above - I fitted Chimaera ones to mine last month (it'll be on my web site) and it was easy. As the previous poster said, make sure that you drill the holes very slightly higher than you first think, to allow for compression of the carpet as you tighten them up. You can always add slightly more tension by putting a washer between the strut and the body (or between the strut and the roof hoop) if it's not quite right first time (I didn't because I'm a genie-arse).
So they are longer by sufficiently much not to inteferre with the original holes then? (I am assuming mine is a Chimera strut in the original hole - the roof is only a couple of mill high at the side window?
At the risk of a real numpty question, how do you recommend doing it - punch a dimple (gently!), then a small drill, then the full size? I'm fine with the mechano type stuff, but nervous about drilling holes in the body!
At the risk of a real numpty question, how do you recommend doing it - punch a dimple (gently!), then a small drill, then the full size? I'm fine with the mechano type stuff, but nervous about drilling holes in the body!
I stuck masking tape to the carpet, held the strut in place and marked it through with a pencil, then just drilled a single hole through, slightly above the mark (to allow for the carpet compression I talked about earlier).
The new hole ended up about 1/2 an inch from the old one.
I'm a wee bit concerned though at your question - I very much doubt that I could possibly have got the new strut in the old holes without overstretching the rear hood section and ripping the window out - mine is under a fair bit of tension as it is, with the holes 1/2 inch apart...
I don't think that a 2 or 3 mm gap above the window is all that unusual to be honest.
The new hole ended up about 1/2 an inch from the old one.
I'm a wee bit concerned though at your question - I very much doubt that I could possibly have got the new strut in the old holes without overstretching the rear hood section and ripping the window out - mine is under a fair bit of tension as it is, with the holes 1/2 inch apart...
I don't think that a 2 or 3 mm gap above the window is all that unusual to be honest.
When I did mine I removed both old struts. I then fitted one new ally strut to the hood and tightened finger tight. I then offered up strut to rear baulkhead which revealed a new hole position about 10mm below edge of existing hole. Using my cordless with 8mm drill I just wacked a hole thru the new struts hole.. thru the carpet.. thru the fibre glass baulkhead.. thru boot carpet.. into boot. I re used existing bolts and washers.. washers are essential on carpet.
I then repeated this for the next strut. When It came to straightening the struts my hood was taut and the motion of straightening the strut was firm but not too firm so to speak.
I think the distance between the old holes and the new holes may very well vary from car to car.. so it a case of offering up the strut and making a judgement for yourself..
Good luck mate..
Paul.
I then repeated this for the next strut. When It came to straightening the struts my hood was taut and the motion of straightening the strut was firm but not too firm so to speak.
I think the distance between the old holes and the new holes may very well vary from car to car.. so it a case of offering up the strut and making a judgement for yourself..
Good luck mate..
Paul.
Edited by S3Paulo on Friday 20th June 22:17
Must admit the old struts on my car are tatty and I did consider the Chimera ones, but not yet! Did see these on ebay, is that the sort of price they go for? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-ALLOY-HOOD-STAYS-FROM-GR...
greymrj said:
Must admit the old struts on my car are tatty and I did consider the Chimera ones, but not yet! Did see these on ebay, is that the sort of price they go for? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-ALLOY-HOOD-STAYS-FROM-GR...
Usually about £100 the pair minimum so £47 for one seems OK.Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff