Bonnet Lifter Problems !!!!! Help !!!!!!!!

[Ghengis Khan]

Just got round to fitting my bonnet lifters being as lazy as i am!

Fitted the ball joints in place of the bolts on the wings and bonnet. The bag they came in had 2 ball joints, 2 washers, 2 clips and 1 nut (per side). What is the nut used for? I've looked through the fitting guide and dont see it mentioned anywhere?

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[Cynic-al]

i think the lifters are for more than one type of car, i don't think you need them for the bravo, i didn't use them anyway!

 

[Ghengis Khan]

Also i've managed to snap the old bonnet bolt while trying to remove it, what now?

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[Anonymous]

Drill it out.

Joske

 

[Ghengis Khan]

As i thought i would have to! I'm a bit worried about doing that in case i damage the threads in the bonnet, I'm assuming i should use a drill smaller than the bolts to avoid doing this? Will a bit 1-2mm smaller be enough to allow the remains of the bolt to break?

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[LightWarrior]

try it and see. with any luck, the drilling might loosen it up anyway...

Buzz (formerly LightWarrior)
The champion of the Bravo 1.4

 

[Ghengis Khan]

Away to try now.

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[Cynic-al]

you should buy a set of screw extractors, even if you drill a hole down the middle of the bolt it will not fall out.

search for screw extactor at
http://www.cromwell.co.uk

I would go for the 4 piece set. it should tell you which size drill to use.

You will need a punch to get your hole central and then a correct sized drill to use with the sxtractor and a handle to wind the extractor with.


It's a lot easier with the correct tools.

 

[Ghengis Khan]

That ideas a no go now!

Drilled a hole thourgh but it was slightly off centre off course, ended up being over size now!

Best idea i have now is to use the extra supplied nut and washer that the brava doesn't need on the other side of the bolt.

This cant be accessed of course due to the inner skin of the bonnet so the only option i can think of is to cut away a flap with an angle grinder to get a nut in!

Any other suggestions most welcome!

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[Cynic-al]

you can get inserts which will repair the hole, for example if it was an M6 you would have to drill and tap it M8 then thread lock one of these inserts in which would then give an M6 hole. can't for the life of me remember what they are called, i will have a search

 

[Cynic-al]

that was easier than i thought;

http://www.threadedinserts.net/

 

[Ghengis Khan]

Pricey at £20 ish, i'll see if i can do it the other way first but thanks for this idea as a backup

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[Anonymous]

I recommend you just cut your losses and sell the bonnet lifters at a profit like Dan Hearn does.

They rust anyway so not really good quality. I wouldn't go away hacking away at my car for a bonnet lifter. Not worth it.

Joske

 

[Andrew]

Sorry of topic but to stop them rusting after you have washed your car open up the bonnet, some of you will have noticed that water congrates around the lower nut just dry if off.

 

[Anonymous]

I've put nail laquer on mine. Result : No Rust.

Joske

 

[Tom]

Pretty pisspoor that they rust. Explains why they were cheap.

 

[Dan]

i bought the extra sets to sell to everyone on here but dan did a big order so everyone has got them now...

as for profit - none - with the hassle - not worth getting anymore!