The 'E' Type Forum

Hi
I'm looking for advice on adjusting my bonnet, I have had a look a previous posts and I have got a good idea on how to it. The problem is that on the passenger side the bonnet touches the front of the cill and the back is about 3 MM. gap. I have loosened the four bolts on the hinge block with the intention of adding a shim to the top face this should correct the problem. The problem is that with the bolts loose I don't seem to be able to lift the bonnet to slide a shim in. I don't want to force it so I was wondering if I have missed anything obvious. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this misalignment of the bonnet is bugging me as all the other gaps are pretty good.

Now there is a question with about 14 answers! as many ways there are of adjusting the bonnet

You will need to add shims to the top of the LHS hinge, its not uncommon to then find the hinge bolts are too short and you may need to use longer ones. When you do that another consequence will be that the RHS bonnet back will get closer to the cill. As a result, you can find that the RHS hinge may need a shim removing from its top, its all trial and error.

Best thing is to accurately measure all the gaps, everywhere, then add shims say 1 or 2mm at a time, tighten up and remeasure again, as you experiment the best position will reveal itself. Dont forget to adjust the rear bonnet locating pin/receiver as you go along as if this isnt adjusted you may find the bonnet doesnt actually sit right or lock afterwards.

Ian

Thanks for the reply I will try again later the bolts seem to be long enough so it shouldn't be a problem fitting a couple of extra shims it's just creating the gap to slide them in. I will try sliding an old chisel between the shims to see if I can create the gap. Is it best to adjust the shims with the bonnet up or down
Thanks again

Phil

Whatever works, probably up as less weight on the top of the hinge then. Opposite for the other side of the hinge.

Thanks I'll let you know the outcome

Phil

Phil, Ian and I have spent many a happy evening together adjusting bonnets . One thing that might be causing a problem is that the captive nuts or plates that the bolts go into may be rusted in place or paint is holding the hinge tight. I found that it was easier to adjust the bonnet in the closed position but with the wheels off so that you can get at the shims and hinges. That way you can also see any changes in the bonnet to bulkhead gap. You need to make sure the bolts are really slackened off. As Ian says, you also have to be aware of the consequences on the diagonally opposite corner of the bonnet to where you are adding the shim.
To get all the gaps right requires a lot of patience.

Simon

Thanks for the advice Simon I have done exactly what you and Ian have said and taken the front wheel off and left the bonnet down. I loosened the bolts off but the bonnet still wouldn't move so I got an old wood chisel and gently hammered it between the shims this broke the seal and allowed me to remove the shims I think your were right with the paint holding the shims, for some reason the paint was between the shims. I added a couple of shims to the top of the hinge and this has corrected the problem of the bonnet hitting the cill and luckily all the other gaps have remained pretty good.
After the success I was feeling pretty pleased with myself so I thought I'd have a go at adjusting the bottom of the bonnet outwards. Sorry for the lack of the correct technical terms but were the bonnet meets the cill and bulkhead the fit is more or less perfect but at front end of the cill the bonnet is set in by about 3mm. I loosened the bolts which hold the outer skin of the bonnet to the structure of the bonnet and eased the outer panel outwards and then tightened the bolts back up the bonnet fit is now 100% better.
The only problem I've got now is explaining to the wife were 5hrs have gone when I told her I'd only be an hour.
Thanks again for the advice

Glad you got it sorted Phil. It is quite satisfying when it all lines up properly .

Simon

I have a similar issue with one of the four bolt mounting the R/H hinge (lower one) completely missing and the hole appears to be semi-blocked.
I have a new bolt but what's the best way to reconnect this bolt without pushing the bonnet out of alignment ?
(sorry to hi-jack your thread Phil but it's sort of relevant)

Hi Mike
Feel free to take over the thread sorry I can't help but I'm sure somebody out there knows the answer. Luckily it's raining today ( never thought I would say that ) so I can get out of the gardening again and go in the garage again. The passenger door frame needs adjusting, should be straight forward job ( famous last words ).

Good luck

Phil

Mike, the captives on the bonnet are paired ie 2 plates do the 4 bolts. If one hole is partially obscured, try loosening one bolt and see if you can re-align the plate.

A tapered centre punch or similar will help you line the plate up by putting it in the hole and wriggling it about once you've slackened the other bolt off.
There is a chance the missing bolt has sheared off, in which case you will have to drill it out.
There is also a chance that the plate is on its maximum adjustment and it wasn't possible to actually get the bolt in. In this case the hole in the hinge will need enlarging with a dremel or similar .

All the best sorting it.

Simon

Thanks guys, just wanted to know what I was dealing with first without causing myself more issues