Boot Lid Won't Stay Open

Eric Capron · Post by **Eric Capron** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:25 pm

My boot wouldn't stay open because some of the springs in the hinges were broken. I'm told this is not all that rare. I've replaced them now. If anyone else is contemplating this job I have written up a how to do it guide. Its on my website www.stretton.tv/springs.htm

If someone can explain to me how to put pictures on this forum I would put it here so that you don't have to follow a link.

Post by **Heuer** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:04 pm

Eric

Very interesting - the bonnet of the E-Type is really very heavy without the springs. Closing one can take you fingers off!. I will add you link to the Specialist information thread.

Eric Capron · Post by **Eric Capron** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:52 pm

Hi David,

Actually, my note is about the boot lid but you are absolutley right about the springs on the bonnet and the danger to fingers. It's even worse on Series 2 cars because they have a gas strut instead of springs and these go soft and give no support at all. Then you have to be really careful. Don't ask me how I know this!

Eric

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:53 am

Eric
Yes, sorry, I missed out a full stop before changing subject slightly

The boot springs are famously difficult to do whilst retaining all your fingers!

aussieseries2dhc · Post by **aussieseries2dhc** » Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:27 pm

Eric Capron wrote:My boot wouldn't stay open because some of the springs in the hinges were broken. I'm told this is not all that rare. I've replaced them now. If anyone else is contemplating this job I have written up a how to do it guide. Its on my website www.stretton.tv/springs.htm

If someone can explain to me how to put pictures on this forum I would put it here so that you don't have to follow a link.

Thank you for the excellent write up on your link.

I will now count my fingers before I start the job. The old stick I use has to go.

I did see on the Jag-lovers USA website that a poster mentioned he had a series 2 ots which had gas struts in the boot instead of the springs. Must have been a kit, or maybe 'one-off' but no mention of where or how it was installed as on the car when he bought it.

Any fellow etype dhc/ots posters ever heard of this gas strut replacement?

regards,
john

D COUPE · Post by **D COUPE** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:21 pm

I did the gas strut conversion. 2 x 370nm gas struts quiet
easy to do .

Now the boot opens with purpose instead of a slow flapping
excuse of an opening.
DC

Eric Capron · Post by **Eric Capron** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 3:31 pm

DC

The gas strut conversion is a perfectly good idea if originality isn't your thing but when in good condition the way Jaguar made it worked perfectly well. Mine doesn't flap and the boot lid pops open smartly and stays fully open without any problem.

That said, I'm sure if Jaguar were making it today they too would have used a strut.

Eric

D COUPE · Post by **D COUPE** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 3:53 pm

When I got to the boot hinges 'Heath Robinson' came to mind.
So has You rightly say I thought if Jaguar did this now, how
would they go about it.

The gas strut was the answer plus I didnt want to be redoing them.
A fix is a fix and it was a really neat conversion.

Its a fine line but it was one of the jobs that I had in my head to
find a better solution to, an upgrade if You like. The opening of
the boot was as critical as the clunk of the doors!!!! :)

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