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Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:40 pm
by Baxter
Is it normal this missaligning on the left corner of the bonnet? The other side is ok.
It is not possible to lower the bonnet on that part as it is very close to the left wiper. 1mm or so.
It is difficult to think that the car was produced this way on the 90's.
I thought is was only my car due to an accident or bad assembly bud recently I saw this car on this forum and has the same issue.
Any thoughts?
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:45 pm
by Alan 480
much juggling 'might' improve things.
I assume that there is limited clearance around the wiper spindle? (Left Hand Drive ?)
I have same issue on RHS and reduced gap by pulling bonnet forward a little on both sides to allow a little more reduction in height.
I think the wiper spindles are 'fixed' for height, but maybe can be shimmed / spaced a little lower?
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2023 8:46 pm
by dragonflyjewels
Could it be that the door has dropped on its hinges ?
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:02 pm
by Baxter
Alan 480 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:45 pm
much juggling 'might' improve things.
I assume that there is limited clearance around the wiper spindle? (Left Hand Drive ?)
I have same issue on RHS and reduced gap by pulling bonnet forward a little on both sides to allow a little more reduction in height.
I think the wiper spindles are 'fixed' for height, but maybe can be shimmed / spaced a little lower?
Yes, it is a LHD.
Surely it can improve lowering down the wiper spindles(lowering the whole part) 1mm or 2mm, no much more as they are already very close to the bottom plastic. But it means a lot of work for a little improvement.
I can live with that, I was curious if it was only my car or a few examples.
If this is happening on every car means a big mistake on the production of the car.
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:03 pm
by Baxter
dragonflyjewels wrote: ↑Sun Nov 05, 2023 8:46 pm
Could it be that the door has dropped on its hinges ?
Not this time as the door fits reasonable good with the front fender.
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:08 pm
by Baxter
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:59 pm
by Alan 480
Baxter wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:02 pm
Yes, it is a LHD.
Surely it can improve lowering down the wiper spindles(lowering the whole part) 1mm or 2mm, no much more as they are already very close to the bottom plastic. But it means a lot of work for a little improvement.
I can live with that, I was curious if it was only my car or a few examples.
If this is happening on every car means a big mistake on the production of the car.
Ours has a small 'nick' carved into the GRP from rubbing onto the spindle!!
If you think panel gaps are poor you need to look at Reliant SS1, gaps vary from credit card to match box !!!
best viewed at twenty paces
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:15 pm
by jifflemon
have a read of JKM's excellent thread, specifically
this post.
Jay-Kay-Em wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 4:13 pm
Note of Warning!
A common trait of right hand drive 480's is the offside wiper arm fouling the bonnet. My wiper arm was historically worn away, in conjunction with a tiny chunk of bonnet worn away too. My making of new bolts for the wiper arm mechanism affects spindle height. Upon reassembly, the wiper motor assembly was shimmed to achieve optimum wiper arm height...
Basically, you need this measurement as small as possible or you'll have a hell of a time fitting & adjusting the bonnet. Ask me how I know!
Re: Missaligned bonnet.
Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2023 11:02 pm
by Baxter
Excelent job from Jay-Kay-Em indeed. He's been able to adjust properly the bonnet, not think I'm going to have that ability. Now I'm far from the car but if I remember correctly there wasn't enough room for lowering the bonnet. I'll see in a few weeks.
