Bonnet (hood) shake on bumpy roads

[Barry]

Every E-type I have owned (4), has suffered from the bonnet shaking from side to side on our typical British “B” roads. It’s not the shaking that bothers me, but the same accompanying rattle. It’s not especially loud, but I am sure many of you have the same problem. It’s the only rattle on my car, and just annoying! Call me OCD, but does anyone know of an easy cure. I have fitted new rubbers on the guides on each side, and adjusted so you have to gently push each side down before clamping it tight.

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Barry

I have to shove down hard to get the locks to engage. The first lock always needs your other hand pushing down the bonnet to allow it to slide home. The second lock then engages without assistance. When they’re subsequently released the bonnet stays firmly down on the bulkhead seal. I have had no rattles from the bonnet in the whole time I’ve owned the car.
So it maybe that you need to adjust the locks for a tighter fit to eliminate the rattle.

Cheers

Alan

[bitsobrits]

Also, the rubber 'donuts' that are part of of the bonnet locks must be present, and not perished.

[Heuer]

Never had bonnet shake on my cars. It was a problem on the OBL cars which is why they changed over to internal locks. As others have said a matter of ajustment and making sure the rubbers are in good condition.

[abowie]

Really the only thing you can do is ensure that the locating pegs are a rock solid fit into the latch hole when you crank the locking mechanism fully around.

The rubber buffer on the peg is not there to hold the bonnet still, and the rubber seal on the scuttle is really only there to prevent water ingress and protect the paintwork.

Finally, if you find your locking latches inside the car rattle, roll an appropriate sized O ring over the latch so it sits between the latch and the chrome escutcheon.

[Barry]

Thanks guys. I thought I had adjusted each side for tight fit, but clearly not! It is really tight now, and solved the problem.