Bonnet alignment

Post any technical questions or queries here.
Post Reply
User avatar
Nick W
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2892
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:59 pm
Location: sheffield
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 8 times

Bonnet alignment

Post by Nick W »

If you've ever struggled to realign your bonnet/hood after painting, this modification is well worth the effort
Simply drill through with a 4mm bit, tap in a 4mm dowl ,counter sink the hinge side so it can be welded and ground smooth, job done. ;)
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Up North in Sheffield
User avatar
Nick W
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2892
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:59 pm
Location: sheffield
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Bonnet alignment

Post by Nick W »

Image
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Up North in Sheffield
rolesyboy
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2369
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2010 10:57 am
Location: Colchester, Essex
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Bonnet alignment

Post by rolesyboy »

Genius! Love it. Thanks for sharing Nick.
Rolesyboy
peasantslife
850 Super
Posts: 208
Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:48 pm
Location: Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr (S Wales)
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: Bonnet alignment

Post by peasantslife »

Think I'll be a berk...

Only works if you do it before dis-assembly prior to sending to paint
and
IF your car has perfect gap and flush before you start...
User avatar
Nick W
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2892
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8:59 pm
Location: sheffield
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Bonnet alignment

Post by Nick W »

peasantslife wrote: Thu Aug 10, 2023 2:52 pm Think I'll be a berk...

Only works if you do it before dis-assembly prior to sending to paint
and
IF your car has perfect gap and flush before you start...
Best done when you've done any related bodywork and your 100% sure you can't adjust it any better.
I'd just spent a couple of hours adjusting the bonnet, and didn't want to do it all again once painted. It's some thing I've done before and it works a treat if done carefully.
Up North in Sheffield
User avatar
Peter Laidler
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 6389
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2017 5:35 pm
Location: Abingdon Oxfordshire
Has thanked: 135 times
Been thanked: 113 times

Re: Bonnet alignment

Post by Peter Laidler »

I have a feeling in my bones that something like this was done at the factory too. The bonnets were fitted (?) and aligned in the body assembly shop as best could from above. From underneath, one of the unskilled fitters would use a whizzy drill to drill two small holes through the hinge and bracket.

Bonnet removed for paint and fitting out but remained with car of course. After engine and engine bay fitting etc, two split pins were inserted into the holes at each side, aligning the bonnet and hinge. No faffing about, bonnet bolted to hinges. If it was a good fit before, then it remained a good fit afterwards.

If you've got an older mini, have a look at the little drilled holes...... They're in the hinges of my '69 S.

Sadly, such cleverness didn't extend to the hinged of the doors and boot lid, which remained UN-painted until the end of production
Post Reply